iLinc for Mac users

If you are a Mac user who wishes to utilize iLinc for synchronous online courses, committee meetings, virtual office hours and the like, there are some things you need to know about configuring your computer to work properly with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

First of all, Macs transmit audio at a different bit rate than PCs do, so using a standard PC headset with the standard 2.5mm jacks (usually pink and green or pink and black) for the mic and speaker input and output will not work. You will need a USB headset, preferably a Mac one. We have found, however, that the Logitech ClearChat Pro Stereo USB Headset does work.

Second, iLinc with some models of computers, and in particular Macs, does not automatically track the internal setting from the System Settings control panel for audio input and output. So, you will need to do this within iLinc.

Step 1: Plug in the device (headset).

Step 2:  Use the system preferences to make sure that the device you plugged in is indeed set as the input device and output device. In this example, we configure a Logitech USB headset.

Step 3: Run the Audio Wizard within iLinc and make sure that iLinc is set up to use the device (disregarding that it does not sound right and the slider bars will likely not work). Within the iLinc meeting room for your session, select Controls/Audio Wizard. The first menu lets you configure the speakers, while the second menu lets you configure the microphone.