Macbook Pro headphones port won’t pick up the microphone

audioheadphonesmacbook promicrophoneusb

VIDEO EXPLAINER: https://streamable.com/1u1xdz

Proud owner of a Macbook Pro:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
Processor: 3.1 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
Memory: 8 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 1536 MB

I have a Rode Videomic microphone with a three pole 3.5mm jack on the end of it.

I plug this in. Nothing happens. This isn't TRRS, I'm not angry.

I plug the Rode microphone into a 4 pole splitter, microphone side, this then into my Mac. Nothing happens. This is attempting TRRS – but it isn't complete, I'm not angry.

I plug the Rode microphone into a 4 pole splitter, along with a set of speakers in the headphones side. This I believed would be TRRS, starting to get angry.

I plug the mic into the splitter with another set of headphones that work if they do not go through the 4 pole splitter, plug the whole complete connection into the Mac port. NOTHING HAPPENS. I'M LOSING MY MIND!

Why for the sake of saving 10g in weight and about a cm of side coverage would they make this ridiculously impossible to connect a microphone on its own?!

Please can someone guide me to a solution that doesn't require anything more than having a microphone plugged in. I need to use my microphone to speak and speakers to play music.

But even with a 4 pole splitter it is not possible.

Is it possible to use a usb-c to audio ports adapter so all I require plugging in is the microphone?

They cut all these ports off the laptop, but then you have to buy more, bulkier, uglier connectors and adapters. My desktop looks like a spider web of wires and adapters.

I'm a chill dude, & I look forward to seeing how you have managed to get around this huge inconvenience.

Thanks, Jason.

Best Answer

USB Audio Port Adapters usually work well, but I'd look for "compatible with Mac" in the description just to be sure. Why your TRRS adapters are not working is kinda weird, possibly dust? After seeing the video - doing exactly what you are doing (but with a lavalier mic) does work for me. I can only recommend to check for dust or try to use a different adapter. There are also adapters that are not splitters (they only do mic to 4pin), try getting one of that kind.

(Don't have enough reputation to comment, which is why this is an answer)