Audio Question, And Left Edge Jack On Desktop?

[Robert4]

Hello,

Still need some help with this, please:

I have an imac desktop running Sonoma. 24 inch.
Several years old; couldn't find the model number or purchased date.

It has (only) 4 slots in the rear; 2 of which have the lightning symbol.
2 are un-labeled.
Normal USB ?

Also the connector on the left edge, which I am trying to understand.

I have a radio (sw) that has an audio output.
Use it with headphones.
Plenty of volume, which is adj.

If I feed it into this edge connector, I cannot (ever) get
it to show in SOUND / Input

Input level always shows zero. Input volume at max.

Why ?

Could it be the connector feeding this edge spigot is the wrong type ? It's the normal stereo 3.5 mm plug.

And, am I correct that this edge jack, somehow, can supposedly be used as both an audio input
and an audio output ? "Simultaneously" ?
How ?

*Or, only an output ?

As usual, I am missing something.

If anyone could explain any of this for me, would be most appreciative.

Regards,
Bob

 

[BrianBaughn]

There's an app called "System Information" on your iMac that will reveal the model.

Based on your description it's one of the Apple Silicon 24" iMacs (because it has two Thunderbolt ports with the lightning bolt symbol).

The 3.5mm audio jack is audio OUT only.

If you want to get a line IN you'll have to get some sort of USB audio adapter…which will likely have audio OUT and IN. These come in many variations as the USB side could be USB-A or USB-C and the audio side could be 3.5mm, 1/4" or RCAs.

Search "USB to audio" at Amazon.com.

You can get a detailed description of your iMac at everymac.com.

 

[BB1970]

I believe the headphone jack does indeed support input, but you require a TRRS connector. Tip ring ring sleeve. You’re 3.5 is only TRS which will not ”see” the mic connection. You probably need a TRS to TRRS cable. If you have an older pair of EarPods from when the iPhones had headphone jacks, you could test it with that. That all said, the mic level is fairly hot, so you’ll have to attenuate fairly low to avoid clipping. My info may be incorrect as I don’t have a TRRS connector to test with, so search the internet.

 

[Nermal]

There's an app called "System Information" on your iMac that will reveal the model.

Even easier: Apple menu (top left corner of the desktop), About This Mac.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

ALL FOUR ports on the back of the imac accept USB connections.
ONLY TWO can handle thunderbolt as well (they are marked as such).

For "audio in", you probably want a simple audio "interface" like this:

Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface

When it’s time to make recording history, you need the best audio interface you can get – and you need one you can count on. That’s why we’re kicking it up a notch with the amazing UM2, an ultra-compact 2x2, 48 kHz USB interface with a studio-grade XENYX mic preamp, combination XLR/ TRS input for...

www.amazon.com

This is NOT a "high-end" interface, it's very basic.
But it will do what you need.

It looks to be USB powered. No external power brick needed.

If you go to the page listed above, there are videos you can watch that explain what this is and how to use it.