Use MacBook mic instead of headset in WoW? Why not?

July 29, 2009 3:02 PM

Why can't I use my MacBook's microphone to play World of Warcraft? Why do I need a USB headset?

We're out in the country without my stepson's headset, and anyway, I'd like to hear the chatter. (He's showing me the game.)

Is there a way in WoW to use the regular microphone and speakers instead of a USB headset? If not, is there software that will allow me to use the regular mic and speakers to spoof a headset?

posted by musofire to sports, hobbies, & recreation (6 comments total)

Are you using the ingame voicechat? It's never worked wonderfully for Macs. The library they use has issues with certain sampling rates - it has no issue with my internal mics for example but can't handle my bluetooth. You should be able to change the input source ingame to the internal mics.

Or are you using Teamspeak or Ventrilo?
posted by edd at 3:13 PM on July 29

I'm guessing that in general, regardless of your computer, voice chat over a laptop's built-in mic and speakers wouldn't work because the sound of the game would feedback.
posted by negatendo at 3:48 PM on July 29

negatendo: Actually it works pretty well in my experience.
posted by edd at 3:55 PM on July 29 [1 favorite]

My boss uses his iMac's built-in mic and speakers, and has no trouble with it.
posted by Pecinpah at 4:54 PM on July 29

Hmm. I am currently using a MacBook and playing WoW. I'm not FOND of using WoWChat [the in-game client] but it does work through the standard mic and speakers.

I prefer Ventrilo, though I had to fiddle with the settings to work. Do you get an error when you try to hear sound without the headset? Can you hear regular in-game noises without the headset?
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:52 PM on July 29

Check a couple of things within System Preferences for Audio:

– Internal: make sure the input volume mic is loud enough (you should see it going across the screen). Crank it way high if needed.
– Make sure that you have the internal mic chosen BEFORE loading up WOW
– If this fails, restart computer and choose internal mic before loading WOW

That's all I can think of.
posted by fantasticninety at 8:49 PM on July 29