No Line-In on MacBookPro??

[ipedro]

I’ve been trying to get my Mic with a 3.5 Jack to connect to my new MacBookPro and after running around, I looked at the tech specs on Apple’s website and it just says that the 3.5 port is a Headphone Jack. Are you kidding me? lol A $7000 laptop and I can’t get audio in?

 

[metapunk2077fail]

Yeah man how come it doesn't have MIDI ports?

 

[ipedro]

Yeah man how come it doesn't have MIDI ports?

Including Line-In in the headphone jack so that it does both in/output is a longstanding convention that Apple has always used. For a professional device, you'd think they wouldn't have omitted audio in.

@metapunk2077fail if you don't have anything helpful to say, maybe keep quiet.

For anybody else, I've since found a solution but of course, it's a dongle. 🙄

 

[Intergalactic9]

I'd never spend $7000 on something without doing basic research on it beforehand. This is just comedy.

 

[metapunk2077fail]

Including Line-In in the headphone jack so that it does both in/output is a longstanding convention that Apple has always used. For a professional device, you'd think they wouldn't have omitted audio in.

@metapunk2077fail if you don't have anything helpful to say, maybe keep quiet.

For anybody else, I've since found a solution but of course, it's a dongle. 🙄

No need to get offended. I am obviously stating that many laptops in 21/22 no longer have Line-in because people are using docks and other digital solutions.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Unfortunately, I think Apple changed their headphone jacks to no longer accept stereo line-in starting with the 2016 MBP re-design, so it's been that case for awhile... I think the 2016+ generation still accepted mono-in as part of headphone/headsets (Eg. headphone with a built-in mic), but if you're looking for stereo-in, I'm pretty sure you had to go through USB since the 2016 generation.

 

[manifest3r]

Wow. I didn’t know line-in was non-existent. That sucks.

I use USB headphones myself, but generally you’d assume in 2021 if something had a 3.5mm jack (becoming rarer nowadays), it would also work with a mic. Apple does love them dongles.

 

[Intergalactic9]

Wow. I didn’t know line-in was non-existent. That sucks.

I use USB headphones myself, but generally you’d assume in 2021 if something had a 3.5mm jack (becoming rarer nowadays), it would also work with a mic. Apple does love them dongles.

Apple isn't thinking about the small percentage of users that will use a 3.5mm mic. Most Pro users that will be buying the latest will have either a bluetooth mic/Airpods or a very large Universal Audio Apollo Twin X dongle with mic pres. The built-in mic will sound better than the OP's 3.5mm mic & a mic connect to a mic pre on an audio interface will sound better then the both. It's funny that consumers will assume features on a $7000 purchase. I don't even do that on $7 purchases.

 

[ipedro]

Apple isn't thinking about the small percentage of users that will use a 3.5mm mic. Most Pro users that will be buying the latest will have either a bluetooth mic/Airpods or a very large Universal Audio Apollo Twin X dongle with mic pres. The built-in mic will sound better than the OP's 3.5mm mic & a mic connect to a mic pre on an audio interface will sound better then the both. It's funny that consumers will assume features on a $7000 purchase. I don't even do that on $7 purchases.

Speaking of assumptions, you’re assuming that I’m using a 3.5mm mic with my Mac. No, I was attempting to run a line-in from my Sony a9 which itself had a line-in running in from a wireless mic setup because it doesn’t stream audio via the USB port, only video. I had $30K+ worth of gear set up for a livestream and yes, it was a pretty normal assumption that the 3.5mm jack would work as a line-in as it had with all my previous Macs. Clearly, I learned that Apple stopped including line-in in their laptops and I’ll have to buy yet another dongle.

 

[Intergalactic9]

Speaking of assumptions, you’re assuming that I’m using a 3.5mm mic with my Mac. No, I was attempting to run a line-in from my Sony a9 which itself had a line-in running in from a wireless mic setup because it doesn’t stream audio via the USB port, only video. I had $30K+ worth of gear set up for a livestream and yes, it was a pretty normal assumption that the 3.5mm jack would work as a line-in as it had with all my previous Macs. Clearly, I learned that Apple stopped including line-in in their laptops and I’ll have to buy yet another dongle.

"I’ve been trying to get my Mic with a 3.5 Jack to connect to my new MacBookPro"

"Apple’s website and it just says that the 3.5 port is a Headphone Jack. Are you kidding me?"


I will now ignore you.

 

[xnatex]

You have $30k worth of livestream setup and you used the line-in 3.5mm jack instead of a proper audio interface? Is this a troll thread? Are you converting XLR to 3.5mm? Get a Focusrite Scarlett.

 

[xnatex]

Also, FWIW, it does do a mic input, via a TRRS 3.5mm jack because that's what modern headphones with a mic do. So if you don't want to go for a proper interface, something like this will at least get you back to what you were used to. https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Headphone-Microphone-Compatible-Controller/dp/B07MR5TPKV

If you don't go with that splitter, make sure it says CTIA and not OMTP. There's 2 different pinouts of TRRS cables.

Tip is always left
Ring is always right

But the next Ring and Sleeve have 2 different options. One is always Mic and the other is Ground. Apple does Ground then Mic, but Nokia decided to do Mic then Ground.

 

[Big Bad D]

You have $30k worth of livestream setup and you used the line-in 3.5mm jack instead of a proper audio interface? Is this a troll thread? Are you converting XLR to 3.5mm? Get a Focusrite Scarlett.

I was just about to make almost identical response.

 

[ipedro]

Also, FWIW, it does do a mic input, via a TRRS 3.5mm jack because that's what modern headphones with a mic do. So if you don't want to go for a proper interface, something like this will at least get you back to what you were used to. https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Headphone-Microphone-Compatible-Controller/dp/B07MR5TPKV

If you don't go with that splitter, make sure it says CTIA and not OMTP. There's 2 different pinouts of TRRS cables.

Tip is always left
Ring is always right

But the next Ring and Sleeve have 2 different options. One is always Mic and the other is Ground. Apple does Ground then Mic, but Nokia decided to do Mic then Ground.

Thank you. This was helpful.

I could do without all the other judgemental comments throughout this thread. People come here for help. They don't need sarcasm and snickers. What happened to MacRumors? This used to be a friendly community and a great resource for figuring out challenges.

/endthread

 

[Fishrrman]

Thanks to xnatex for his suggestion above re audio input on the newer MBP's.

Question for the OP:
You didn't say what kind of wireless mic you're using, but does its "base station" have a USB output as well as analog-out...?

 

[ipedro]

Thanks to xnatex for his suggestion above re audio input on the newer MBP's.

Question for the OP:
You didn't say what kind of wireless mic you're using, but does its "base station" have a USB output as well as analog-out...?

I’m using a Rode GO II. It’s running into the camera and then out from the camera’s audio monitor headphone jack into the computer. It’s all analog audio meant for streaming so I don’t need any high quality digital audio going into the Mac.

EDIT: In retrospect, I looked up the Rode GO II’s feature set and it appears that you can plug the receiver directly into the Mac’s USB port for streaming. The only issue is the camera won’t get the wireless mic’s audio and I’ll have to patch it in later. Might be a cleaner setup though.

 

[R2K2]

People come here for help. They don't need sarcasm and snickers.

In your first post, you are not asking for help. You are stating your findings and ending with 'Are you kidding me? lol A $7000 laptop and I can’t get audio in?'.
That's sarcasm to me.
However, glad that people here were able to help you out!

 

[Big Bad D]

Thank you. This was helpful.

I could do without all the other judgemental comments throughout this thread. People come here for help. They don't need sarcasm and snickers. What happened to MacRumors? This used to be a friendly community and a great resource for figuring out challenges.

/endthread

When you make such statements about 30K of equipment and 7K laptop, then I think it is quite fair and not sarcastic or judgemental to respond why not use a proper audio interface.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Unfortunately, I think Apple changed their headphone jacks to no longer accept stereo line-in starting with the 2016 MBP re-design, so it's been that case for awhile... I think the 2016+ generation still accepted mono-in as part of headphone/headsets (Eg. headphone with a built-in mic), but if you're looking for stereo-in, I'm pretty sure you had to go through USB since the 2016 generation.

My 2017 MBP 15” has no problems with my stereo headset with microphone through the audio jack. Just checked it now.

 

[Christopher Kim]

My 2017 MBP 15” has no problems with my stereo headset with microphone through the audio jack. Just checked it now.

For headset mics (which are L/R stereo), I think the microphone line is mono-in only for this purpose

 

[xnatex]

When you make such statements about 30K of equipment and 7K laptop, then I think it is quite fair and not sarcastic or judgemental to respond why not use a proper audio interface.

While I was a bit blunt, I was being fully serious. If you've spent $30k on your setup, you should have proper audio equipment.

 

[xnatex]

I’m using a Rode GO II. It’s running into the camera and then out from the camera’s audio monitor headphone jack into the computer. It’s all analog audio meant for streaming so I don’t need any high quality digital audio going into the Mac.

EDIT: In retrospect, I looked up the Rode GO II’s feature set and it appears that you can plug the receiver directly into the Mac’s USB port for streaming. The only issue is the camera won’t get the wireless mic’s audio and I’ll have to patch it in later. Might be a cleaner setup though.

If you need to sync a separate audio and video feed(s), get one of these. The distinct "clap" sound is there to make it easy to sync it all because you can both see and hear the sound occur. Do a clap on screen at the beginning of every new clip after a cut, so you always are able to sync the feeds.

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www.amazon.com

 

[fa8362]

While I was a bit blunt, I was being fully serious. If you've spent $30k on your setup, you should have proper audio equipment.

Totally agree.

 

[ipedro]

When you make such statements about 30K of equipment and 7K laptop, then I think it is quite fair and not sarcastic or judgemental to respond why not use a proper audio interface.

While I was a bit blunt, I was being fully serious. If you've spent $30k on your setup, you should have proper audio equipment.

Totally agree.

You know, you can have an expensive setup but not be set up for a new field. I’m a professional photographer. I have my studio shelves lined with expensive gear but having had a client ask me to do a live stream, I didn’t have the audio bit figured out. That’s why I came here for help.

When someone asks for help, you can decide to be helpful without trying to diminish them. The world would be a better place if people weren’t constantly trying to one-up everyone else. It’s possible to just be nice.

 

[kinchee87]

I’ve been trying to get my Mic with a 3.5 Jack to connect to my new MacBookPro and after running around, I looked at the tech specs on Apple’s website and it just says that the 3.5 port is a Headphone Jack. Are you kidding me? lol A $7000 laptop and I can’t get audio in?

And when you make a post for help, you can decide whether you want to make a sarcastic comment or whether you want to actually ask sincerely for help. The tone you set determines the type of comments you attract.

It's quite clear from your title and post that you weren't interested in getting any help, but rather to ridicule the headphone jack in a $7000 laptop.