[Macpartners] headset use on a G4 powerbook

[Kerem B Limon]

Quoting Douglas Alan <nessus at MIT.EDU>:

> Kerem B Limon <k_limon at MIT.EDU> wrote:
> 
> > Quoting Rachel Morton <rachel at MIT.EDU>:
> 
> > > It seems that I should be able to use a standard headset with a
> > > Powerbook G4 (15") which has a line-in audio port. The manual refers
> > > to 'line-level ' microphone. Is that different from cheapo headset
> > > technology?  thanks for your help Rachel M.
> 
> > It means an unamplified microphone. El-cheapo headsets with mics on the
> swing
> > arm from somwhere like MicroCenter should be fine.
> 
> > -Kerem
> 
> I have no idea what the Powerbook G4 wants as input, but you have your
> terminology precisely backwards.  A "line-level microphone" is one that
> has been amplified to the level expected at the inputs of a power
> amplifier, while an unamplified microphone needs to be fed into a
> preamp.
> 

I very well might have, audio-wise, but I believe my general, non-audiophile
description is correct (though I'd suspect it is Apple, too, that might be
confused here). By "unamplified", I was merely indicating it's an unpowered
(pre-amplified -or- amplified), simple mic element wired directly to a (I
believe) mini-phono plug, with no other circuitry/components in-between. The
kind you get with your new Apple or Dell desktop. This is, as opposed to the
some 'amplified' speakers that are sold, presumably for the more discerning
users who know what to do with them. ;)

-Kerem


> From
>
http://staff.ace.ac.nz/Centres/Technology/BruceWeb/Video%20in%20the%20classroom/linemic.htm
> :
> 
>      A line level output is normally in the range of .7 to 1 volt while
>      a microphone level is considerably lower depending on the type of
>      microphone used. If a line level output was connected directly to a
>      microphone socket on a camcorder the audio circuits in the
>      camcorder would be considerably overloaded. This could damage the
>      camcorder and lead to distorted audio. The line level -microphone
>      adapter reduces the output from a line level source to a level
>      which is acceptable to a microphone level socket.
> 
> |>oug
> 


Kerem B. Limon
kerem.limon at mit.edu /e-mail