Audio Recording...Not Working

[a84c72]

A number of years ago, I was able to connect my Mac to an external stereo system so I could transfer cassette tapes to MP3s via Audacity. I am attempting to do this again, but it's recording sounds from the room and not directly from the stereo system. I am using RCA hooked to the stereo and the 3.5 into the input (headphone Jack, I think it is?). I went into preferences and selected it as the input (versus an output) and it's just not doing it. I did that on my 2019 MBP. I decided to haul out the iMac 2011 and try it there. Still...no go. I cannot seem to get this figured out why it won't work now. Did I miss something? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[ezugaru]

A number of years ago, I was able to connect my Mac to an external stereo system so I could transfer cassette tapes to MP3s via Audacity. I am attempting to do this again, but it's recording sounds from the room and not directly from the stereo system. I am using RCA hooked to the stereo and the 3.5 into the input (headphone Jack, I think it is?). I went into preferences and selected it as the input (versus an output) and it's just not doing it. I did that on my 2019 MBP. I decided to haul out the iMac 2011 and try it there. Still...no go. I cannot seem to get this figured out why it won't work now. Did I miss something? Any help would be appreciated!

I don't know about the 2011 imac, but the 2010 has one 3.5mm output for headphones and one 3.5mm input for microphone, if thats the case on the 2011, make sure You are using the input . If there is only one 3.5mm then You need to know if it admits headphones with integrated mic and use a special cable for it.

 

[a84c72]

I don't know about the 2011 imac, but the 2010 has one 3.5mm output for headphones and one 3.5mm input for microphone, if thats the case on the 2011, make sure You are using the input . If there is only one 3.5mm then You need to know if it admits headphones with integrated mic and use a special cable for it.

There are 2...one for headphones and another for mic.. I had it in the mic. Now, the weird thing is, I see levels bouncing in Audacity, but no sound is captured. It's odd to me. I gave up on the MacBook. That just has one and I was getting mad...LOL

 

[Fishrrman]

You really need a USB dongle that has analog in (usually RCA jacks), and a digital/USB output into the Mac.
Things will go better that way...

 

[ezugaru]

What input options are available on Audacity?

 

[a84c72]

You really need a USB dongle that has analog in (usually RCA jacks), and a digital/USB output into the Mac.
Things will go better that way...

I ended up doing a 3.5 (double sides but a Y cord so I could put my headphones in one). One in the headphone Jack and the other in the mac. It, surprisingly turned out way better than I expected! It's a PITA having to use headphones to hear what's going on, but it worked in a pinch. Thank you for your help!

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

A number of years ago, I was able to connect my Mac to an external stereo system so I could transfer cassette tapes to MP3s via Audacity. I am attempting to do this again, but it's recording sounds from the room and not directly from the stereo system. I am using RCA hooked to the stereo and the 3.5 into the input (headphone Jack, I think it is?). I went into preferences and selected it as the input (versus an output) and it's just not doing it. I did that on my 2019 MBP. I decided to haul out the iMac 2011 and try it there. Still...no go. I cannot seem to get this figured out why it won't work now. Did I miss something? Any help would be appreciated!

You missed the type of 3.5mm jack.
There are 3 type of 3.5mm jack
1. Mono (one black circle on the male jack)
2. Stereo (two black circles on the male jack)
3. Stereo with mic. (three black circles on the male jack)
Using the wrong one will lead to the issue you described above.