[Pierre B.]

Anyone knows how to exceed the maximum input volume in System Preferences? I have a headset to use with Skype and the sound input volume seems inadequate, even turned all the way up in System Preferences. I would hope there exists some Panther-compatible utility letting me go beyond that limit.

So, anything available?

[mindwaves]

I'm not at my computer right now, but doesn't Skype have it's own sound preferences (Skype menu -> Preferences...). I'm sure you can change that setting from there.

[analogika]

If you're trying to use an unamplified microphone (the kind that plugs directly into the minijack input), there is nothing you can do.

The Mac's input is a LINE input, not a microphone input. (Line level is what the components of a stereo, keyboards, and any other powered instrument or component, use to talk to each other. Unpowered microphones have extremely tiny output signals and MUST be pre-amplified.)

Use a USB headset (the USB port supplies power to the microphone's pre-amp) or a pre-amp such as the Griffin iMic.

[Pierre B.]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

mindwaves: Skype offers as sound options only the choice of input/output device.

analogika: the headset is a USB one (Logitech). Nevertheless, it seems that the input signal is not so strong, since people complain they can not hear me loud enough, even when the input volume is set at maximum in System Preferences.

Well, comunication is still possible, just not optimal. And no, I have not the intention to blow their ears, just to make them hear me like through the normal phone line. I think being able to up somewhat the input volume would resolve the issue. I remember sometime ago there was a utility that let you increase the movement speed of the mouse cursor beyond the limit set by Apple. I thought there is maybe something similar for the input sound volume.