I have a macbook that I'm using for Garage band. No matter what I do I can't get the internal mike to switch off.

I go to system preference, select the external mike, but both are still on.

I turn the volume of the internal mike down to zero but both are still on.

The screen says I have the external one on and not the internal but IT'S LYING!

Any kind person out there help me?

i'm using an Audio Technica ATR 25 Stereo mike (which is powered) if that helps.

Have you set it up to just use the external mic in Audio MIDI Setup? Go to your utilities folder and launch Audio MIDI Setup. Under the Audio Devices tab set the Default Input to your external mic.

Hope this helps

Have you set it up to just use the external mic in Audio MIDI Setup? Go to your utilities folder and launch Audio MIDI Setup. Under the Audio Devices tab set the Default Input to your external mic.

I tried this but it didn't make any difference i'm afraid. You still hear the internal mike not the external. (i've tried different devices so it's not that the mike doesn't work). When I turn the internal mike down it doesn't make any difference, but when i mute the internal mike that does turn it off, but I still don't hear the external mike & it doesn't record on the garageband track EVEN THOUGH I can see it registering on the meters (sorry not sure of the technical term) on both the garageband and systems preference page.

I have selected built in output for default output & system output.
Audio output says "output is not supported" - don't know if that's the problem.

so to recap

I can't record on garageband with the external mike

I have tried

altering systems preference
altering audio midi set up
altering recording input source on garageband
changing mikes

the only thing that makes any difference is muting the internal mike on audio midi set up but this still doesn't allow me to use external mike

Hey there,

I've got the same problem..
I'm trying to record some guitar using the line input of my macbook,
but no matter what i do, the internal mic stays on..

I've tried the obvious solutions,
but I can't switch it of.
even if I select line input instead of int. mic in the preferences menu..
the mic just won't go off..

Am I doing something wrong or is my macbook broken??

Thanks in advance,
Stoepman

i don't know stoepman but if you get any help let me know

it's been driving me nuts!

surely someone out there in mac land can help us - this is being to put me off macs!

Hey matt,

I figured it out, ..sort of.

go to the audio/midi setup (like KCmac said) and there you can choose which input/output you want to use or don't want to use..

now my int. mic is off but the lineinput doesn't get a signal..

audio/midi setup is in apps.. and then 'helpprograms' folder (my macbook is in dutch so don't know what this is called in english..

hope this helps you out!!!

stoepman

If the line input doesn't have a signal, it's likely a signal (pun intended) that your external mike doesn't have sufficient output. Most don't; the pickup just doesn't have enough power without some help. You need a preamp, or a self amplified mike. If your Mac can't detect the external mike, it's likely to revert back to the internal by default.

See this Apple article. Scroll down for the input paragraphs. Also see this article.

I used to have this problem long ago. The problem is the mic you're using doesn't have enough output (gain) and the mac doesn't see it. It then defaults to the internal mic. I finally got fed up with not having enough gain and purchased a great piece of hardware made by Presonus. I now have the ability to input two guitars and two condenser mics (supplies 48v Phantom Power) at the same time. It runs through Firewire to the Mac now and works like a charm. You might want to look into it.

Presonus Inspire 1394

Thanks so much KCMAC, WSITZE and all

I think there's light at the end of the tunnel!

I just read some reviews of the mike I was using (Audio Technica ATR 25) and guess what - "this mike has really low gain"

We have a mini behringer desk at church that I could use as a preamp, would that work (can't really afford any firewire gear at the moment)

the mac is from my workplace (i'm a music tutor) , so the next time I've got it i'll let you know how I get on!

has anybody used a mike that does work straight into the audio input?

which one? (just thinking if most don't work , what 's the point of an audio input anyway?)

thanks

This is the Behringer I use for our podcasts.

Works great and the price is unbeatable.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UB802-Eurorack-Mixer-Inputs/dp/B0002JF5CM

Hi,

I'm having the same problem - can't get the internal mike to turn off. Even when I input my guitar via my M-audio Firewire Solo the internal microphone is still on. I've switched to the external source in the prefs and in the Midi thingy.

Any more ideas?

Jimbo

Ok - I've got the guitar input sorted - I didn't have Garageband preferences set correctly - just a novice - forgive me. Still got the problem with the microphone - which I assume is because the output is too low as suggested.

Jimbo

I gave up on the audio in

I tried everyone's suggestions and nothing worked

my employer bought a mike with a usb out which is horrible - very noisy BUT IT WORKS!!!