Submit Hint Search The Forums LinksStatsPollsHeadlinesRSS
14,000 hints and counting!

Prevent microphone feedback through speakers System
I was confused in the last few months when the microphone on both my desktop G4 and Pismo Powerbook started playing through the speakers, leading to screeching feedback if I turned the volume or mic level up too high. I often had to just select a different input in the Sound Preferences to turn this off and be able to pump up the volume. But then when I needed the mic for iChat, I had to go back and switch it again.

I remembered that earlier versions of OS X had a setting for playing the mic through the speakers, but I couldn't find this anymore. It turns out after some poking around on the Apple Discussions site, that this setting now lives in the Audio MIDI Setup app in the Utilities folder. Starting this up, there are three "Thru" checkboxes next to the microphone settings at the bottom in the Audio Devices pane. Even though none of these were checked, clicking the Master one for the mic on and off fixed the problem for me on both machines.

I'm not sure which app or system update might be accidentally turning this on, but it could be related to the installation of 10.3.4, Skype, iChatUSBCam or turning on Speech Recognition. If anyone else having this problem has a clue, please post a comment.
    •    
  • Currently 1.00 / 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  (1 vote cast)
 
[23,287 views]  

Prevent microphone feedback through speakers | 9 comments | Create New Account
Click here to return to the 'Prevent microphone feedback through speakers' hint
The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
can't do it
Authored by: gretver on Jan 03, '05 12:29:07PM

I have the same problem on my powerbook g4 15" 1.33. I have tried your solution, but I can't seem to alter the settings as you described.

"clicking the Master one for the mic on and off fixed the problem for me on both machines. "

On my setup this is not possible. I can't check or uncheck anything in the microphne setup, nor can I click on the " master one for the mic". The button above the mic settings that says "masterstream (I use the Dutch version of osx) is greyed out.

Any ideas?



[ Reply to This | # ]
can't do it
Authored by: ephramz on Jan 03, '05 01:07:42PM
gretver, not sure why your having problems, although for me there is only one checkbox for the mic not greyed out (see http://nat.myphotos.cc/AudioMIDI.jpg), which is the Master Thru checkbox. Perhaps make sure you are using an admin user account, that you are in the "Audio Devices" (left) tab, try all the options for the "Properties For:" menu, and the "Source" menu. Hope one of those things does the trick.

[ Reply to This | # ]
can't do it
Authored by: gretver on Jan 03, '05 02:31:42PM

Ephramz , thanks for your reply. On my pb all the checkboxes for the mic are greyed out. http://gretver.spymac.net/midi2.jpg
I tried fiddling with all properties boxes and buttons, but it doesn't help. I am using an admin account and I repared the permissions. I even rebooted...

I got an email from another macosxhints user saying that for him the trick was disconnecting his iSight, he then was able to select the checkbox. I don't own an iSight, so I can't try that trick. I did try using an external mic, but to no avail.



[ Reply to This | # ]
can't do it
Authored by: gqmacguy on Jan 03, '05 03:37:03PM

I have a PB Alu 1.33 and ever since the second to last update i have been having the same problems. I can't figure out what to do either,, as i have tired what seems to be every option avail, including all the stuff that the other guys have done. is it jsut a fluke maybe in the updates?



[ Reply to This | # ]
can't do it
Authored by: osxpounder on Jan 03, '05 05:31:16PM

I notice one difference between the screenshots each of you linked: one is for an "external" mic, and the other is for an "internal" mic. Could that help?

---
--
osxpounder



[ Reply to This | # ]
can't do it
Authored by: ephramz on Jan 03, '05 06:09:13PM
I don't think it's an Internal Mic vs. Sound Input issue. That screen grab was just from my Desktop with no internal mic, but when I tried it on my PB Pismo with the internal mic selected, the same thing happens- only the top Thru checkbox for the Master input is clickable.

I just read that GarageBand may be making these boxes unclickable: http://discusssearch.info.apple.com/webx?50@724.y1CCaBMGH9a.3@.68a21abb If you have Garageband installed, trying running that and setting the monitor on or off in that. I did not install GarageBand on these machines, so that couldn't be what caused the original feedback for me.

[ Reply to This | # ]

can't do it
Authored by: gretver on Jan 11, '05 09:54:58AM

Hmmm... I don't have Garageband installed. It's a pity, but the hint doesn't work for me on my powerbook g4



[ Reply to This | # ]
Prevent microphone feedback through speakers
Authored by: Delarue on Feb 11, '05 06:08:16AM

Thank you, worked perfectly for me (old PowerBook G3). Skype seems to be the cause.
By the way, on a german system the checkbox is named "Direkt".

Thx
- Julian



[ Reply to This | # ]
Prevent microphone feedback through speakers
Authored by: ryanwfowler on Apr 30, '05 03:22:57PM

Thanks a ton for the hint. I don't know what caused the problem, but I'm quite thankful that it's gone :).



[ Reply to This | # ]