Built-in mics?

[steve jr.]

Do all Macs have built in mics (portables and desktops included)? I remember back when I was in elementary school and we got our first ever computer lab with loaded with Power Macintosh 5500 (introduced in 1997) or Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one (intro. in 1998. I don't remember which version, but I'm thinking it was the 5500. That was a long time ago. We got the lab when I was in 5th grade and I'll be a senior in high school this fall!) and they had built in mics. What models of current day have them? Thanks!

- Steve

 

[ham_man]

I think that only the iBooks and PowerBooks have mics...

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Both the G3 and G4 iMacs have built in mics... Not sure about the G5 iMacs.

 

[steve jr.]

Well, I did a little digging. Probably should have done that to begin with. Anyhow, all current versions of the PowerBook, iBook, iMac (excluding mini), and eMac all have built in mics. PowerMacs do not have this. I went through the support tab and pulled up the pdf owners manuals. Well, I think we all learned a little something. Sorry for the bother. Use your mics!

- Steve

 

[katie ta achoo]

Well, I did a little digging. Probably should have done that to begin with. Anyhow, all current versions of the PowerBook, iBook, iMac (excluding mini), and eMac all have built in mics. PowerMacs do not have this. I went through the support tab and pulled up the pdf owners manuals. Well, I think we all learned a little something. Sorry for the bother. Use your mics!

- Steve

Hehe, this reminds me of a question I had to go to the Apple store and ask..

**april 20, 2005**
Me: walks into Apple store, sort of ticked.
"Hey, Vlady! Y'all give a musician a PowerBook and it has no mic?? what gives, dude!?"
vlady: "umm.. remember to TURN UP THE VOLUME."

I felt so dumb!

 

[steve jr.]

Haha. Aww. I would have too. But in the end, I'm sure everyone got a good laugh out of it. I wonder how many people actually use the mic on a regular basis?

 

[DarkNetworks]

How do we use the mic?
Just speak? Is it possible to use it for some recording? If yes, how and what programs can be used to do so?

 

[asif786]

speaking of mics..

i have a videocast and i've been pondering adding more editiorial content into it..so i was using the mic on my imac, and let me tell you..

whoever designed that thing didn't do very well. i know it's not for proper use, just occasionally..but putting the mic on the bottom..near the speakers and where all the noise comes in..bad idea. all i can hear on the recordings is the annoyingly high-pitch sound of my computer.

as i said, i know it's just there for the sake of it, and i will, of course buy a proper mic but still rather annoying.

oh, and btw, i dont think the same thing happens with portables because it's near the screen (i think)..

 

[Poeben]

How do we use the mic?
Just speak? Is it possible to use it for some recording? If yes, how and what programs can be used to do so?

Sure it is possible to use the mic for recording. But, it is really really bad for anything but voice. I, on rare occasion, will sit my iBook next to a piano if I am at work late and get an idea or something, just to capture it for later. It is not too bad for iChat and the like. Some macs come with Sound studio (I think) which will let you record with it. Just make sure your volume is either muted or you have audio patch-thru disabled or else you will be in for a surprise.

 

[steve jr.]

oh, and btw, i dont think the same thing happens with portables because it's near the screen (i think)..

on the 15'' and 17'' pb's it is (according to the diagram) in the left speaker grill. on the 12'', it looks to be right above the F2 key (the very top row of keys closest to the display, second in from the left). on the iBooks, it is on the right side of the display just a little above the airport antenna.

Edit: The mic is above the F1 key on the 12'' PowerBook. Sry.

 

[cardiac dave]

Haha. Aww. I would have too. But in the end, I'm sure everyone got a good laugh out of it. I wonder how many people actually use the mic on a regular basis?

With Skype and iChat? Quite often actually.

Got all the relatives signed up on skype and save a bundle in long distance.

 

[steve jr.]

With Skype and iChat? Quite often actually.

Got all the relatives signed up on skype and save a bundle in long distance.

How good is the quality when it is set up properly? (ie. feedback, volume, clarity etc)

 

[aptmunich]

For me Skype works great... use it to talk to relatives in Britain (from Germany) and there's no sound issues at all.

If anything it's better than my landline.
Had issues when calling mobiles though.

The built-in mic on the 'books is great for voice IMO, especially on the 12" ers and the 14" iBook: At the top right hand corner it's much closer to your mouth than on the larger PB's.

The iMac G5 mic placement is a bit shabby for Apple though... Form over function I guess.

 

[katie ta achoo]

I've used the mic to record some violin/viola-ing. (those are totally verbs now)

The quality is .. surprisingly decent!!

I just use my BT KB and mouse so I don't type and go clackeyclakety all over the track.

 

[Ryon]

on the 12'', it looks to be right above the F2 key

On my 12" PB it's above the F1 key actually. I assume you forgot about Escape

 

[steve jr.]

On my 12" PB it's above the F1 key actually. I assume you forgot about Escape

Woops! I guess I did. Thanks for that Ryon. I guess I thought it was a "windows only" thing to add to the complexity of all this mumbo-jumbo of a machine.

 

[phreakout13]

I use the mic in my 15" PowerBook all the time. I use it for audio chats, recording my voice in GarageBand, and if I'm using my acoustic guitar, I'll record chord progressions to play over. I'm going to get an audio interface soon though (Tascam US122) so I'll be able to do more complicated music things pretty soon.