How to Select and Configure Sound Input on Mac

Before you start

Sound input settings are handled locally in macOS. You do not need an online account, a cloud service, or special software for basic microphone and line input selection. Connect the microphone, audio interface, or headset before opening the settings if the device uses USB, Thunderbolt, or a headset jack. Built-in Mac microphones are already available and need no connection. If an app will use the microphone, macOS may ask for permission the first time that app tries to access audio input.

Step-by-step instructions

Open System Settings and select Sound. In the Output and Input area, choose Input. If the controls look different, check for a tab or button named Input; older macOS versions used a similar Input tab in the Sound pane.

Select the device you want to use from the list of available input devices. The name may be the built-in microphone, an external microphone model, an audio interface, or a name supplied by the connected hardware. Speak or make the intended sound while watching the input level indicator. The level should move without staying constantly at the top or bottom.

Adjust the input level slider so normal speech or sound produces a clear reading without clipping. Raise the slider if the meter barely moves. Lower it if the meter is full during ordinary sound. This adjustment changes the system input volume for the selected input device.

Some audio devices have their own gain controls in the hardware or in vendor software. If the device has a physical gain knob, set it first, then fine-tune the macOS input level slider. For apps such as video conferencing or recording tools, open the app's audio settings and select the same input device there when the app has its own device picker.

Check the output

Use a short test that matches the intended task. For a voice call, speak at a normal distance and confirm that the other side hears clear audio without severe distortion. For recording, record a few seconds in the chosen app and play the clip back at a comfortable volume. Confirm that the intended input device was used, not the built-in microphone or another connected device.

The available input format depends on the hardware and active app. The system settings do not provide a universal file format or sample rate control for every device. Some audio interfaces expose sample rate settings in vendor software or in the Audio MIDI Setup utility on Mac. If the recording app offers an input quality or sample rate option, choose a supported setting that matches the final use, such as a standard voice setting for calls or a higher setting for music when the hardware supports it.

Common problems and next steps

If there is no sound, check that the correct input device is selected and that the input level slider is not all the way down. A device can also be plugged in without being selected automatically, so confirm the name in Input settings.

If the signal is noisy or full of background noise, move closer to the microphone, reduce the input level, and move away from fans or other consistent noise sources. USB and wireless devices can also produce interference, so try another port or reduce wireless congestion if noise follows a specific connection.

If the device is missing, reconnect it and check the connection type. USB and Thunderbolt devices may require a compatible cable or port. A headset connected through a single jack may be seen by the Mac as headphones only, without a microphone input. Audio devices with vendor drivers should have updated compatible software from the manufacturer.

If an app cannot hear the microphone, check the app's device selection and the macOS privacy settings for microphone access in System Settings. App names and permission locations differ between macOS versions, so search the settings by the app name if the section is not visible. Be aware that allowing microphone access gives that app the ability to use the selected input device; review permissions when you no longer need an app to capture audio.