What's this jack on my MBP?

[Mojo67821]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the jack is on my MBP right next to the headphone jack. I've never had a laptop before so I'm not quite sure what the purpose of this is. It sits right next to where you plug your headphones in, and looks exactly the same.

Anyone know? thanks!

 

[baby duck monge]

Audio-in. For a mic or similar.

 

[BurtonCCC]

It's for a mic or anything random instrument that can go to a 1/8 plug. Anything you plug into it sounds like balls though. If you're a beginner to GarageBand and just want to mess around, just plug one of those crappy computer mics into it. If you're planning on doing any actual good-quality recording, you'll at least need a nice mic through a USB preamp or similar set-up.

Hope this helps. I've been really off today.

Daniel.

 

[mmmcheese]

It's for a mic or anything random instrument that can go to a 1/8 plug. Anything you plug into it sounds like balls though. If you're a beginner to GarageBand and just want to mess around, just plug one of those crappy computer mics into it. If you're planning on doing any actual good-quality recording, you'll at least need a nice mic through a USB preamp or similar set-up.

Hope this helps. I've been really off today.

Daniel.

If you have an AD converter with optical out, you could use that port as well...or as you mentioned, any number of USB or Firewire audio interfaces for such tasks.

 

[GilGrissom]

Hope this helps. I've been really off today.

Don't worry, you seem to have done a stand up job.

 

[Mojo67821]

Line in, That makes sense ... I feel kind of stupid now for asking. thanks for the help everyone.

 

[BurtonCCC]

Line in, That makes sense ... I feel kind of stupid now for asking. thanks for the help everyone.

Don't feel stupid. Just remember me and that I'm probably getting flamed for doing something stupider on MacRumors.

Daniel.

 

[baby duck monge]

Line in, That makes sense ... I feel kind of stupid now for asking. thanks for the help everyone.

It doesn't help that the picture they put next to the port only gives a vague clue as to what it's for (the two triangle things kinda point 'in,' and that's about as much as you get).

 

[whooleytoo]

Line in, That makes sense ... I feel kind of stupid now for asking.

Don't! I too spent some time plugging in all types of microphone into the socket and wondering why I couldn't get them to work, until I realised they need to be a 'line level' microphone.

 

[Josias]

It doesn't help that the picture they put next to the port only gives a vague clue as to what it's for (the two triangle things kinda point 'in,' and that's about as much as you get).

It looks kinda these old 1920's blues-bar microphone. My dad got one on an auction. Gangsta! BTW, I think the built-in mic has higher quality than most cheap external mics, that is my experience with my bro's iBooks mic.