Headsets & Adapters - Macintosh Apple

I plugged in the Andrea USB microphone but it doesn't work? - Make sure you are really plugged into the USB port! The network port is very similar in size and the USB cable will plug into it. Check your operator manual for the location of your USB ports. They are marked with the USB symbol:


The Andrea USB microphone is working, but I cannot hear from the headset speaker(s). - The Andrea NC-7100 and Andrea USB adapters use USB for microphone input, but use your computer's internal sound output capability to drive the headset speaker(s). The short jumper cable must be connected from the computer to the Andrea USB adapter module. The publication included with the Andrea product shows how to correctly connect this cable.

Some Apple computers with digital audio have a speaker output and a headphone output. The speaker output is digital and is a 2.5 mm jack, too small to plug in the Andrea jumper cable. On these models please use the 3.5 mm headphone jack to connect the jumper cable.

Can I use my USB microphone with a non-Apple hub or USB card? - To determine compatibility do the following:
  • Plug the microphone into the non-Apple hub or USB card.
  • Run the 'Apple System Profiler'. Use can use "Sherlock" to search the Macintosh HD for the Apple System Profiler. Run the "Application", not the "Classic Application" (OS 9).
  • Select the 'Devices and Volumes' tab. Look for the USB line for the device you are plugged into and follow it to the right of the display. The AKM identifier should be present indicating that is plugged into that device. If not, then there could be a hardware problem with his non-Apple USB port.
  • Hardware problems could also be due to your computer firmware needed an update, or not having the latest drivers from your non-Apple product. Check the Apple site for any firmware updates. Apple also information on trouble shooting USB problems.

Where are the spec sheets for the headsets? - Many spec sheets are on-line at www.andreaelectronics.com.

Why isn't there an extension cord for the NC-71? - The NC-71 uses a special plug for use with Apple computers. To build an extension cord a special jack is required. The tooling for such a part is expensive, and there has not been enough demand for this product.

I have an Apple PlainTalk microphone input on my computer, will the NC-71 work with it? - Yes, the NC-71 is specially made for the PlainTalk interface.

Why is the NC-7100 not compatible with the CUBE? - IBM ViaVoice for Mac that ships with our NC-7100 USB headset will not work with a G4 Cube or G4 dual machine. This is an IBM limitation and has nothing to do with our headset.

Our NC-7100 USB headset does work with the G4 Cube for Internet telephony or other audio applications. However Apple "speakable items" is not installed out of the box on the Cube.

I cannot plug the jumper cable into the speaker jack of my Apple PowerMac G4, what do I do? - For 733MHz G4 machines with digital audio, the NC-7100 plugs into the headphone jack, not the speaker jack as indicated in the instructions. This model computer uses digital audio for speaker output and uses a smaller jack than analog speaker jacks to prevent damage to analog speakers and headsets.

My PowerBook G4 titanium does not have a speaker jack, what do I do? - Plug the jumper cable into the headphone jack.

Are your USB products compatible with Mac OS X version 10.2 (Jaguar)? - Yes! The USB Adapter, NC-7100, and USBD-2A work fine with Jaguar. The standard drivers for these devices are built into the OS. (Unfortunately, the USBD-2A noise reduction software drivers are only available for PC computers.)
 



Installation procedure and FAQ for USB products NC-7100 and USB Adapter on Apple Mac OS X
Overview

This procedure is for Mac OS X, Version 10.1 or later. When first plugging in your new Andrea USB device, your computer will automatically find and install the correct drivers for your Andrea product.

The Andrea NC-7100 and USB Adapter are USB microphone input devices. They do not provide USB audio output. Instead, they use your computers internal sound output capabilities.

Detailed Procedure

  1. Start your computer without your new USB device attached. Allow it to complete its startup.

  2. Insert the USB device into an available USB port identified by the: , preferably directly into the computer or Apple supplied USB keyboard, not into a hub (not all add-on devices are fully USB compliant). Do not plug into the network port: <---> which is about the same size and next to the USB port on some Apple models.

  3. Check the operating system version.
    • Click on Apple Icon in the top left hand corner of display.
    • Click on 'About This Mac' in the drop down window.
    • A window will open displaying the version of the operating system. (Needs to be Mac OS X Version 10.1 or later - 10.1.1, 10.1.2 etc.)
    • If yes, go to the next step. If not, you will need to update your OS (www.apple.com should have details on how to update) before proceeding.
    • Close window.

  4. Check that the USB microphone has been detected by your computer.
    • Open (double-click) the 'Macintosh HD' icon on the desktop, then open the 'Applications' icon then open the 'Utilities' folder and run the 'Apple System Profiler' application.
    • Once the 'Apple System Profiler' appears on the display, click on the 'Devices and Volumes' tab.
    • On the USB line there should be listing for "AKM". If AKM is listed, your Andrea device is being recognized by the Mac OS. If not, check that you are plugged into the USB port (not the network port).

  5. Verify the microphone works.
    • Click on the Apple Icon in the top left hand corner of the display.
    • Click on 'System Preferences'.
    • In the System row, click on 'Speech'.
    • Insure the Speech Recognition Tab is selected, and that the Recognition System is set to 'Apple Speakable Items'. Select the 'Listening' tab and under the 'Microphone' item, insure that 'AK5370' is the selected microphone. If not, use the microphone drop down box to select it. Switch to the On/Off tab and select 'Apple Speakable Items is: On'. A round microphone control window should open, with the words 'esc' in the center. This means that for the microphone to be listening you need to press and hold the 'esc' key.
    • Try pressing the 'esc' key while simultaneously speaking: "What time is it?" The horizontal bars at the bottom half should change with your speech. If you speak clearly 'Apple Speakable items' should respond with the computer time. If you still have problems insure the microphone is correctly adjusted and that the "white dot" on the mic housing is pointed to your mouth.

(Note: The Andrea NC-7100USB and USB Adapter uses an "AKM 5370" USB audio controller so it is identified by the Mac OS)

Notes:

  1. If after correctly installing the USB device when plugged directly into the computer USB port you can then try moving it to another port.
  2. The required USB drivers are provided with the Mac operating system and are not supported or supplied by Andrea Electronics.