I want to send stereo 3.5mm from a sound module into my Mac Mini.
I use the 3.5mm output headphone jack to feed a sound system.
I assume the USB-C thunderbolt is a likely candidate but `I would need a stereo phone jack or 3.5mm stereo audio to USB-C thunderbolt cable/adapter. My Flawedi Hub seems limited to mono microphone input.
And tip or tricks.
Mac mini (M2, 2023)
Don't need to buy anything.
Problem solved via an obscure chatbot -- Simply download and install latest MacOS (Sonoma)
Existing Roland USB-C cable to USB was OK and RD-2000 Input and Output popped up in AMS app.
Process improvement opportunity for Apple:
"Add tip in your problem Knowledge Base citing:
Problem: Audio Midi Studio Failure to detect external gear Input/Output
Solution: Download and reboot MacOS (if outdated)
Don't need to buy anything.
Problem solved via an obscure chatbot -- Simply download and install latest MacOS (Sonoma)
Existing Roland USB-C cable to USB was OK and RD-2000 Input and Output popped up in AMS app.
Process improvement opportunity for Apple:
"Add tip in your problem Knowledge Base citing:
Problem: Audio Midi Studio Failure to detect external gear Input/Output
Solution: Download and reboot MacOS (if outdated)
Sending audio TO the mac mini can either be done through those options:
1) a USB microphone (that does its internal conversion from analog to digital)
2) an audio interface that can do Analog to digital and/or Digital to Analog (A/D, D/A)
when you listen to sound (music or else), it is obviously Analog, even if the source was digital (0s and 1s only to say). So an interface, whether it is standalone or enbedded in a device (TV, sound system, etc) will always translate from D to A or A to D, the latter to “speak” with your computer….
Looks like you are mixing up input and output here.
The 3.5mm output you have on the. mini is... an output. Yes, this can SEND sound to feed in your sound system, either direct or through some relevant adapter.
If you aim to RECEIVE sound into your mac mini form that external sound system (I assume this is because you would aim to RECORD something ?), this can be done typically with an audio interface that will convert analog audio to digital.
Hope this helps,
You'll need to buy an USB audio interface to get this done.
There are many on the market and range in price from under $40 US for a basic interface to several thousand $$ for pro grade with whistles and bells.
If you're doing this for personal use then a low cost interface should serve you well.
This is an example of a low cost Behringer unit available at Sweetwater:
Behringer U Control USB audio interface - sweetwater.com
Finding one specifically with USB-C may take another 5 minutes to find, but you could also use a USB-A unit with a USB-C to USB-A adapter to connect to your Mac mini.
You will find many audio interfaces if you search Amazon or Google.
Setting up a simple interface is usually plug and play on the Mac, though you'll probably have to visit the Sound Settings or Audio Midi app (maybe).
Can you please elaborate a little bit more about your solution? I am having the same issue trying to input audio to my Mac Mini. Thanks.
How to connect stereo audio input to macmini
