On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 1:01 AM, Jerry Miller <[email protected]> wrote:
> Jeff; > > Apple has never used a standard mic input. Their headphone output is a > standard 1/8th" stereo jack but......the audio input was, for many years, a > special jack that was set up for Apple's PlainTalk mic input. It required a > PlainTalk headset that had a preamp built into the mic that was powered by a > + 5VDC in the Mac. (look up PlainTalk on Wikipedia or Apple). Apple > discontinued PlainTalk with the last G4's. The G5's and subsequent have a > "line Level" audio input that requires an external preamp if you intend to > use a mic. (actually the early Mac's audio input was "line level" also, they > just boosted the mic signal from "mic level" to "line level" all within the > headset and special PlainTalk jack. > > It's a real pain. If you have a G3 - G4 you can probably find a PlainTalk > headset on e-bay. I have an old PM 9500 and a G4 with a PlainTalk headset > that works just fine. > > I'm still groping with how to make some kind of headset work with my G5. > At this very moment I'm trying build a preamp. I'll probably try USB next > if this doesn't work. > I have a little plaintalk mic that has no preamp. It is a rounded triangle with a bump and stickum to keep it atop a monitor. The plug is about 1/8 inch and has the extended tip. I have used it but it has been so long ago i forget the working details but am pretty sure I had no problem getting recordings without preamp. -- Adrian D'Alessio aka; Fluxstringer [email protected] http://www.flickr.com/photos/fluxstreamcommunication/ http://www.facebook.com/FluxStringer http://www.linkedin.com/in/fluxstreamcommunications http://flux-influx.blogspot.com/ http://fluxdreams.designbinder.com/ -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
