Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: BayTaynt3d on February 05, 2009, 09:29:48 PM

Title: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: BayTaynt3d on February 05, 2009, 09:29:48 PM

I've got a friend who's not too technical that needs to record audio into her mac laptop (I'm a PC guy, so I'm clueless on this). She's got a cheesy Sony stereo mic with a minijack. What's the easiest free solution/software for her to record audio with that setup? Is there anything already on her Mac that can do it? Something in iLife or ?
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: hummat on February 06, 2009, 08:19:27 AM
Garageband will work and has come standard on all macs for a few years now. 

As for connecting a mic, I can;t remember if there is a mic in or if the audio out can double as an in.

-jay
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: mikesalvo on February 06, 2009, 11:05:27 AM
not sure what the deal is with the newer macs, but my old G4 (4 years old) does not have a stock audio inout of any kind. However, Im not sure exactly what she is trying to do, but most macs do have a built in microphone that often gets overlooked. If she is trying to record a hit record, probably not her best solution, but if she is using it for work,notetaking,etc...it could be an easy solution...
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: nic on February 06, 2009, 11:34:59 AM
not sure what the deal is with the newer macs, but my old G4 (4 years old) does not have a stock audio inout of any kind.

 ??? what do you have?
every Apple laptop I've seen since back in 2000 (old iBook and TiBook) have had 1/8" I/O.
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: Krispy D on February 06, 2009, 12:40:23 PM
it has an audio in, it's a mac.  Go to system preferences, click sound, tab over to input, select your input of choice.
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: Jamos on February 06, 2009, 11:47:58 PM
it has an audio in, it's a mac.  Go to system preferences, click sound, tab over to input, select your input of choice.

Yes but will it power a sony mic that needs plug-in power?  I don't think so.
If the sony mic takes a battery, then you should be able to plug it right in...

but if not, the easiest thing would be to get a battery box for the mic, and then run line-in to the macbook.

or...

just use the built-in mic and record that way, depending on what your friend wants to record.
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: mikesalvo on February 07, 2009, 07:49:40 PM
it has an audio in, it's a mac.  Go to system preferences, click sound, tab over to input, select your input of choice.

appears not to have it like I thought. Only option for audio in is internal microphone..
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: bluntforcetrauma on February 08, 2009, 12:57:01 PM
Nest to the headphone jack on the MAC should be another 1/8 input jack.

I use Shure SM58>sonosax pre amp>1/8 to MAC go into preferences and click " sound" and you should be able to choose " external"

I record voice overs into iMOVIE.
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: sunjan on February 09, 2009, 06:22:30 PM
it has an audio in, it's a mac. 

You guys make the wrong assumptions! Not all iBooks had audio in jacks:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/faq/ibook-irda-airport-wireless-bluetooth-modem-microphone.html#microphone

I used to work as a tester for Apple, with exactly these models. So make sure you find out which model the chick has, before sending her on a wild goose chase...
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: Krispy D on February 09, 2009, 06:23:53 PM
my bad, you can all stone me now.
Title: Re: Easiest solution to record mic-in minijack to Apple Laptop?
Post by: willndmb on February 09, 2009, 07:50:12 PM
it has an audio in, it's a mac. 

You guys make the wrong assumptions! Not all iBooks had audio in jacks:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/faq/ibook-irda-airport-wireless-bluetooth-modem-microphone.html#microphone

I used to work as a tester for Apple, with exactly these models. So make sure you find out which model the chick has, before sending her on a wild goose chase...
he said its a g4 thats 4 yrs old so unless its one of the powerbooks it will NOT have a audio in jack
if its a powerbook it MIGHT depending on the model