How to use my own mic to record audio (Instead of the built in on)

[jasfa131]

I have a normal PC mic which I want to use to record audio. It fits my iPod and the two connectors on my iMac. What do I do to record audio with it? Step by steo please!
Thanks a lot! (I can't seem to get it working :S)
I've tried two different PC mics

 

[Satcomer]

There is no such thing as a "PC Mic". Just plug a mic into the audio in port (or if it is USB just put in a USB plug) and then go to System Preferences->Sound pane and then select the 'Input' tab (in Sound). Then highlight 'line-in' or the device name if you use a USB mic.

 

[Natobasso]

We need more details. What kind of mic is it? How does it fit your iPod?

 

[jasfa131]

The headphone jack. I think it's called a "stereo mini-jack"?

 

[Natobasso]

What. Kind. Of. Mic. Do. You. Have.

 

[jasfa131]

There is no such thing as a "PC Mic". Just plug a mic into the audio in port (or if it is USB just put in a USB plug) and then go to System Preferences->Sound pane and then select the 'Input' tab (in Sound). Then highlight 'line-in' or the device name if you use a USB mic.

I've tried that, but when I go into QuickTime 7 and record some audio I get ZERO sound. (Yes, I went to Preferences in QT7 and selected "Built-in Input: Line in" as my mic)

 

[jasfa131]

What. Kind. Of. Mic. Do. You. Have.

Sorry, , It's a Labtec mic. A cheap 15$ mic I got from Staples.

 

[Yesurbius]

In the Input Tab of the Sound Pane - you'll want to check your Input Volume and Mute. If you are STILL getting zero - then I'd ask myself if the mic isn't defective. The reason I'd jump to defective so quick is because I know those mics - they are absolute crap

 

[Natobasso]

I agree with Yesurbius.

 

[jasfa131]

I'm still getting zero , I've tried two different mics (of the same quality). When I plug the mic in, I get some audio showing up (from the noise), but nothing after that, or even when I tap it. Nothing shows up on the blue output bar.

 

[albloom]

I don't believe your Mac has a "microphone in" port. It has
an "audio in" port. A microphone needs amplification. I think
the best for that is Griffin Technology's "iMic":

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/

Or you could run the mike into a receiver and plug the receiver's
line-level output into your Mac.

 

[billbaloney]

One possibility is that the mic isn't actually providing enough signal to move that meter, but is still technically working. This could be the case with a crap microphone.

For instance, I can do this without getting up (good criterion for an experiment):

1. Plug a pair of headphones into the line in (not line out! line IN) jack
2. Open Audio Recorder
3. Verify from the signal meter that no sound seems to be coming in.
4. Start recording
5. Whistle and snap into the headphones
6. Stop recording
7. Plug headphones in to line out
8. Listen to track and hear my whistles and snaps

This is because any set of headphones will actually work as an unpowered microphone in this situation. They're just bad at it. If your microphone is as bad as a pair of headphones wired in reverse, you'll be able to recreate this intriguing and provocative experiment.