What cable to input audio into MacBook pro

That has a 3.5mm "headphone jack" although it's not clear from the specs if it might be able to support a headset or a microphone input.

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) - Technical Specifications

But then again it depends on what kind of audio input you need. If it's a USB microphone it only needs a connection. I've connected a Blue Snowball ICE to a Mac through a USB-mini (still around) to USB-A cable then to a hub or adapter - for both USB-A and USB-C Macs. I don't one, but I would think a USB-mini to USB-C cable would also work. There are some docks that include a 3.5mm input/output audio port for standard jacks. Some devices connect directly to USB.

So - it really depends on what you're looking to connect. There are different ways to connect audio and at way too many different price points.

Johnb-one wrote:

Thank You for providing the model and year… this May work( see link) https://www.musiconerd.com/how-to-use-an-external-mic-on-a-macbook-pro-2019-it-works/

otherwise go for usb adapter that supports TRRS plus usb-a female to usb-c adapter… as y_p_w posted, it depends what you’re looking to connect and what audio input you need….

john B

Those examples are purpose-built microphones/headsets though, and as such the OP is looking to output audio from a headphone jack to a computer. Microphone/headset jacks generally have 4 contacts (poles) instead of three. Connecting a headphone output to a "microphone" input is a little bit trickier, although that splitter in the article seems to be similar to those audio to USB adapters that I referenced other than it goes directly to the 3.5mm port.

It gets really difficult trying to figure out what will or won't work. I'd recommend getting something that can be returned if it doesn't work.

bottlecapr wrote:

It’s a handheld uniden sds100 police scanner. Trying to run Proscan on windows 11 vm using parallels.

Sounds like it has a standard 3.5mm headphone/audio output jack. I saw that in the owner's manual.

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/SDS100om.pdf

I'd try first to see if a standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable works in the MacBook Pro's jack to see if it works as an input, although I'm skeptical. You'll probably need one anyways for this. I've got one myself, but it's for my headphones and works fine with headphones. This one says it's for subwoofers, but it seems to be a standard cable that would work for assorted applications.

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Speaker-Subwoofer-Gold-Plated/dp/B00NO73MUQ/

Other than that, there are some 3.5mm to USB inputs, although what's recommended might depend on what you have. A lot of this is confusing where they're only sold as headphone adapters, so you might want something that has separate audio input and output. I used to have a Logitech gaming headset that had separate 3.5mm inputs and outputs, and it came with a specific USB-A adapter with two ports that connected to the cable. There are also USB-C specific versions, but I'm not sure if you might prefer USB-A if you have a USB-C to USB-A hub/dock.

If you have an USB-A hub, then something like this might work (along with a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable):

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-External-Headphone-Microphone-Desktops/dp/B01N905VOY/

The general idea is that you would connect the headphone jack of your scanner to the red input of the adapter using a 3.5mm/3.5mm cable, and then connect the adapter to USB.

There might be something that has a single 3.5mm to USB cable, but I'm not sure it would work for anything other than a headphone. I think a combination would be more of a sure thing because it's designed with a specific input port. It's hard to see, but the red (left) port has a little microphone icon to show it's an input, while the green port has a headphone icon.

There are others. You might have a look at those on Amazon and there should be suggestions for similar cables/adapters, like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097H7HB5J/

Hi, bottlecapr, that’d depend on what year+ model of MacBook Pro you have, which I don’t know… if it’s a more recent model? Those don’t usually have 3.5 mm audio inputs, just the one audio jack which might support microphone from a pair of wired AirPods… probably TRRS, so you could try a TRRS to TRS adapter, or go USB with an adapter that supports TRRS, then a usb-a ( female) to usb-c adapter cable… then set your audio input to usb… then try it out under system preferences-> effects/- audio input… then again, I don’t know what year+ model of MacBook Pro you have exactly, so it’s just guessing on my part

john b

Thank You for providing the model and year… this May work( see link) https://www.musiconerd.com/how-to-use-an-external-mic-on-a-macbook-pro-2019-it-works/

otherwise go for usb adapter that supports TRRS plus usb-a female to usb-c adapter… as y_p_w posted, it depends what you’re looking to connect and what audio input you need….

john B

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) - Technical Specifications