- The Best External Mics for MacBook Pro: Our Picks in 2020. Please note that the mic products recommended below are chosen based on the criteria listed above, plus our personal preferences. They are, however, not intended to be ranked in this order. Blue Snowflake USB Microphone.
- Control access to your microphone on Mac Some apps and websites can use the microphone on your Mac to capture or record audio. You can decide which apps are allowed to use the microphone.
- Macbook Pro Microphone Not Working Ubuntu
- Internal Microphone Macbook Pro Not Working
- Microphone Macbook Pro Not Working
Control sound with Boom 3D
My mid-2012 MacBook Pro ('MBP') does NOT have a port labeled for microphone, but it DOES have a 3.5mm (1/8') port labeled with a Headphone (not headset) icon. PROBLEM When I plug a microphone's 3.5mm TSR plug (TWO black stripes alternating with THREE shiny metal bands) into that headphone port, the MBP does not.
The microphone on your Mac is likely not something you use often, but when you need it – it's critical. Making calls or FaceTime video chats are always important, and those working remotely may use their Mac mic to hold important business meetings.
When the mic fails to operate as desired, it's problematic. Here we'll tell you why your Mac microphone not working is not always as bad as it seems, how to turn on microphone on Mac devices, and what to do when Mac internal microphone not working.
Reasons why Mac's Microphone stopped working
There could be several reasons for a Mac or MacBook mic not working. Here are a few options to consider:
- It's just broken. If you recently purchased your Mac, it's possible the mic is just broken. Though all Macs go through quality checks, sometimes things are just broken. This is a good time to return or repair your Mac.
- A new app. A Mac or MacBook microphone not working can be caused by apps. If you recently downloaded an app that requires permission to use your mic, it could be causing issues that prevent the mic from working at all.
- It may not be your Mac at all. Using a monitor with a mic included? Many modern monitors have mics, and it's possible your app or computer are defaulting to that mic rather than your Mac's internal microphone.
- Check your settings. Your Mac's mic may not have been set up properly, or its settings could have been changed for some reason. To check the settings when your mic input not working Mac 'System Preferences' menu is your best option.
Microphone Not Working: Here's How to Fix It
How to turn on microphone on mac
Unless your Mac's mic is just plain broken, you can turn it on in the system Preferences menu. Here's how:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Mac's menu bar
- Select 'System Preferences' from the drop-down menu
- Select 'Security and Privacy' from the menu
- Select the 'Privacy' tab at the top of the window
- From the options on the left side of the window, select 'Microphone'
This shows you all of the apps or services which have requested access to your Microphone. If you want to make changes, click the ‘lock' icon on the bottom left side of the window, then select the apps you want to have access to your mic. If you're using an app and your internal microphone not working Mac settings are often the fix.
Find out Which Microphone Your Mac Is Using
Remember when we mentioned some monitors have built-in mics, and that can cause issues? Sometimes you don't need to know how to get Mac microphone to work, you just need to know which mic it's using!
Here's how to check:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Mac's menu bar
- Select 'System Preferences' from the drop-down menu
- Select 'Sound' from the me
- Select the 'Input' tab at the top of the window
This shows you which mic your Mac is using, and which microphones it has access to.
Check Application Permissions
Here's how to check which apps have permission to use your Mac's mic:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Mac's menu bar
- Select 'System Preferences' from the drop-down menu
- Select 'Security and Privacy' from the menu
- Select the 'Privacy' tab at the top of the window
- From the options on the left side of the window, select 'Microphone'
- Select apps you want to have access to the mic; de-select those you want to block access to
Check the Sound Input Settings
A common fix for a MacBook, Mac, or MacBook Pro microphone not working is to manage the settings. First, let's dive back into the sound menu:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Mac's menu bar
- Select 'System Preferences' from the drop-down menu
- Select 'Sound' from the me
- Select the 'Input' tab at the top of the window
When you select a microphone from the list of available mics, you'll see two important settings: input volume, and input level.
Input volume shows you the sensitivity your Mic is set to. If you have it set to a low setting, your Mac won't pick up much at all. This is the first option you should check when you're on a call and someone says they can't hear you very well; chances are your mic input volume is just set really low. Knowing how to fix mic on Mac devices is sometimes as simple as managing this setting.
Input level shows you in real time what sounds your Mac is picking up. Give it a shot; speak in a normal tone, repeating the same word or phrase, and slide the input volume up and down as you speak normally. You'll see the input level rise and fall, which indicates the sensitivity of your mic.
Disable Ambient Noise Reduction
Users on macOS Mojave may see an option to disable ambient noise reduction below 'Input Level' in the sound settings menu. This feature was meant to block random noise and focus on voices, but it can confuse voices for ambient noise and filter you out as well. If you're on Mojave, toggle that option off to see if your Mac's mic performance improves.
Turn on Dictation
You may not know why your Mac's mic is failing you, but you can often force it back on with dictation. An accessibility setting, Apple's Mac computers all come with a dictation setting that ‘takes over' your mic for speech-to-text functionality.
Here's how to enable it:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your Mac's menu bar
- Select 'System Preferences' from the drop-down menu
- Select 'Keyboard' from the me
- Select the 'Dictation' tab at the top of the window
- Toggle dictation to 'On'
This forces your Mac's mic to start working for you, even if another app is causing issues.
Reset Your PRAM
Your Mac's Parameter RAM, or PRAM, stores temporary settings for your Mac, and may have saved a setting that is blocking your mic from working properly. If nothing else fixes your mic issue, resetting your PRAM may do the trick. Here's how it's done:
- Power down your Mac fully
- Hold down the command + alt + P + R keys while powering your Mac on again
- Hold all keys for 20 seconds
- Release all keys and allow your Mac to restart normally
What a fussy process, right? In fact, a lot of the fixes for your Mac are clumsy, if we're being fair. A much better way to make sure your Mac is running in perfect order is CleanMyMac X.
Macbook Pro Microphone Not Working Ubuntu
CleanMyMac X knows exactly what settings your Mac should be using, and performs routine checkups to ensure you're operating at peak performance. Its Smart Scan feature is a quick and easy way to get rid of unnecessary junk and toggle settings on your Mac. If you need to do a deeper cleanse for your Mac, the System Junk and Optimizations features are more thorough. CleanMyMac X also identifies malware, handles updates and deletion of apps, and monitors your file storage for large, old, and unwanted files.
How to test the microphone on Mac?
A simple, effective way to test your Mac microphone is the included Voice Memos app. The app is meant for spoken-word notes, but it's also a great way to test your Mac's mic. Open the app, start a new note, and speak normally. If the soundwave in the app is active as you speak, your Mac can hear you.
Boost your Mac sound
Looking to improve the quality of your Mac's sound output? Boom 3D is exactly what you're looking for!
Boom 3D for Mac is an impressive equalizer app with a really sharp ‘surround sound' feature that makes it seem as though your tiny Mac speakers are actually fully immersive. You'll feel like you're in a theater watching videos on your Mac – and Boom 3D even works with headphones!
A feature we really enjoy is the ability to manage audio notifications. You may be watching a movie while expecting an important email. Think about it – friends messaging you, social media pinging you left and right, and all you care about is that email. Boom 3D lets you immerse yourself in a movie, block or reduce notification sounds for other app, but keep your email notifications pinging loudly.
Conclusion
Unless your Mac's mic is just plain broken, chances are there is an app or errant setting blocking it from performing correctly. It's frustrating, but we've shown you how to fix it!
The best advice is to be preventative. If you notice an app is blocking access to your mic for some reason, stop using it. The best way to delete unwanted apps and manage your Mac's settings is with CleanMyMac X. For keeping your Mac running its best, CleanMyMac X can't be beat.
Both CleanMyMac X and Boom 3D are available for free as part of a seven day trial of Setapp, the world's best suite of productivity apps for your Mac. In addition to these two apps, you'll get access to nearly 200 other incredible apps, and once your trial period is over continued access to the full Setapp catalog is only $9.99 per month. A great deal, so what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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Many people will never give their computer microphone a second glance, how about you?
It isn't really something you would check the quality of when choosing a MacBook Pro, and most people tend to assume that whatever is built in will be satisfactory for their occasional use.
However, there comes a point where the built-in microphone simply doesn't cut it. Whether your voice isn't getting picked up properly while using Skype or if you want to start recording your own podcast, an external USB mic is a great place to start rectifying this problem.
In this guide, we'll point out some of the best mics in portability, versatility, and recording power. We'll also guide you through picking a mic that suits your needs — whether you're an everyday user, amateur recorder, or a professional.
Quick Summary
- For something ultraportable but geared primarily towards communication needs (i.e. business conference calls, narration), the Blue Snowflake USB Microphone folds into a small rectangle that is easy to take to/from work on the daily.
- Does your recording demand versatility? With multiple recording patterns the Blue Yeti offers a flexible design and endless ways to take your audio quality to the next level. It also includes a zero-latency headphone jack.
- The Apogee MIC PLUS is the best choice if you're completely committed to Apple and looking for a product that feels the same. Well integrated with all of Apple's products and extremely portable, this mic is ready to rock whenever and wherever you are.
- To step up your audio game at home, the Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Mic has you covered. Its classy design and brand reputation imply a degree of quality, you'll be able to experience first hand whether you're recording your guitar or narrating a home video.
Do I Need a Mic for My MacBook Pro?
An external microphone is not usually a cheap investment, and those who purchase them usually need them for a regular task.
That could be as mundane as frequent video-conference calls for work where you need others to be able to understand you clearly or as technical as creating your own music in a home recording studio, but the occasional Skype with an old friend will probably be just fine using your Mac's built-in microphone.
The Best External Mics for MacBook Pro: Our Picks in 2021
Please note that the mic products recommended below are chosen based on the criteria listed above, plus our personal preferences. They are, however, not intended to be ranked in this order.
1. Blue Snowflake USB Microphone
This microphone is one of the most ideal if you'll need high-quality recording wherever you go. The compact case expands into a stand that can clip on the top of your MacBook with ease, and the whole device is only about 2.5' thick, making it for easy transport without sacrificing quality since it has a sample rate of 16bit/44kHz.
- Pros: It covers all the bases with both an eye-catching design and spot-on functionality. A cardioid condenser, it's perfect for home narration, podcast recording, or voice calls from your Mac. Also, it doesn't require any drivers, so works perfectly as soon as you plug it in.
- Cons: Not an optimal choice for musicians; quality is more than sufficient for communication but would likely be found lacking when it comes to recording a track.
2. Blue Yeti USB Microphone
If you need something versatile and top-tier quality, the Blue Yeti has you covered. With four different recording patterns available in a single mic, it's ready for any possible recording situation, from voiceovers to a new record track. You can also connect your headphones directly to it for a complete recording experience.
- Pros: The ability to choose between cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo recording patterns means you'll never sacrifice recording quality no matter the situation. It includes gain control and a mute button. And it's backed by a two-year warranty so you never have to worry about defects.
- Cons: Not built for portability. At almost a foot tall, this mic is meant to stay in one place, such as your home office or recording studio.
3. Apogee MIC PLUS
If you want a mic truly built for Mac, Apogee is the way to go. Besides recording as normal when connected to your MacBook, it also has the ability to connect to your iPad or iPhone and integrate with Garageband for optimal productivity. This is a cardioid condenser microphone.
- Pros: At only a bit more than a pound and less than 5 inches tall, this mic is ready to go anywhere and everywhere with you. In addition to a tabletop stand, It also comes with an adapter so that it can fit securely into an existing microphone stand. It's a great choice for musicians.
- Cons: There are some users say that you cannot use the Garageband functionality with iOS 11, although Apogee has been working on the issue.
4. Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Mic
Alright, so the Blue Snowball doesn't actually come in blue… but the round snowball shape associated with the brand has a reputation for performance for a variety of recording situations. A bit over a pound and close to a foot tall when mounted on the included stand, this mic is ready to go straight out the box with no drivers to install.
- Pros: This driverless mic is ready to put in work as soon as you are, with a cardioid pickup pattern and sturdy design that will leave you more than satisfied with the sound. It's also Skype-certified, lending credibility for the sound quality of any communications you may use it for. Should work nicely for a single-player recording as well.
- Cons: Since it picks up sound in front and behind the mic, you may experience some buzzing or humming if you aren't in a properly arranged space.
5. FIFINE USB Podcast Microphone for Recording Streaming
The last one on our list is a cheaper alternative of Blue Yeti that best suits for simple recording and live streaming. Fifine is a new brand that has been gaining a lot of popularity among its customers ranging from podcasters, YouTubers, vloggers, and gamers.
- Pros: It sounds great, it is compact, and comes with minimalistic design, all of which provide great alternative to Blue Yet.
- Cons: It is quite sensitive and pick up bass sound such that when you touch the mic it sounds like thunder.
Additional Tips & Resources
Picking up on all the lingo of a new technical product or field can be difficult and confusing. Top rated video editing software for windows. When it comes to microphones, one of the key things to learn about is the polarity pattern of your potential purchase. This pattern determines how well sound will be picked up at different angles, which becomes more or less important depending on how you plan to use it. This guide will give you a great explanation of what each pattern means and when each is most useful.
Once you have the right mic, you'll also need to make sure to set up your recording properly as well. While it may seem like the best settings are simply pushing all sliders to the max, this actually isn't the case, and this discussion will help guide you through picking a sampling rate and bit depth that works for what you need.
Buying a USB Mic for MacBook Pro: What to Consider in 2021?
Size
Depending on your intended use for your microphone, you'll be comfortable with different levels of portability. For example, if you only plan on recording at home a larger microphone with a bigger footprint may be perfectly fine. However, if you need the mic while at work or have another need to take it wherever your laptop goes, you'll want to look for something that can become quite a bit more compact.
Recording Pattern
What you plan on recording has a significant impact on which mic you choose. Microphones come in different polar patterns, which is what determines how well they pick up sounds at specific angles (see the 'Additional Tips and Tricks' section below to help decide what you're looking for). This is key to making sure your mic works effectively and records only what you want it to.
Recording Quality
Buying a USB mic means you're already looking for something a step above what's built into your Mac, but even so, they come in many different recording qualities. Measured in bits/kHz, the higher this rate is the higher quality your sound will be. Don't be tricked into paying for something much more technical than you need though – the final file format of your recording could make that rate obsolete, so this isn't something to worry about if you're just going to hook up the mic when using Skype.
FAQ
Can I Use An External Microphone With My Macbook Pro?
Internal Microphone Macbook Pro Not Working
Yes, we would recommend getting a USB-based external microphone for easy setup. Many have reported issues with external 3.5mm microphone and headphone combination on the 3.5mm jack connection. Besides, Apple does not have any recommended solution other than its iPhone standard earphones set.
Final Words
Microphone Macbook Pro Not Working
Buying a mic is heavily dependent on what you plan to use it for, and you should make sure you have done a thorough research on any model you are considering.
All of the models we've listed connect to your mac through the USB port, because that is the best way to set up.
Do you currently use a USB mic? Make video from images free software. We'd love to hear what you think of your model and what you look for in picking a new one.
