Thinkpads Forum

This is a headache. I want to use the Thinkpad to record audio from an external feed (AMP) and I could not make it work. I bought Y-cables from two different vendor. The cable should split to mic input and audio output. But once I plug in a PC headset or a sound feed from an external source to the mic input, the machine won't detect the external input.

The only time it works is to plug in a cellphone headset with microphone such as the one for HTC phones. Then the machine can detect and record from the external microphone from the headset (of course it is of poor quality). But any attempt to record directly from an external sound feed failed. Sigh! I don't know why they crippled such function. This kind of Thinkpad is unthinkable.

If you have an elegant solution, please share here. I know I can buy an USB sound card or an express card. But that seems excessive for such a much-have and small function - pretty much all laptop can do it except some Thinkpads (X220).

-John
Product specialist
Gadgets-N-Gizmos.com

What kind of Y-cable were you using? Normal splitters won't work, you need an adapter that specifically converts the 4-position 3.5mm jack (as used on many smartphones and certain newer laptops) into 2 separate 3.5mm jacks. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-MUYH ... B004SP0WAQ
Also, make sure you plug both the headset and your external line input into the adapter first, then plug the adapter into the combo jack.

twistero wrote:What kind of Y-cable were you using? Normal splitters won't work, you need an adapter that specifically converts the 4-position 3.5mm jack (as used on many smartphones and certain newer laptops) into 2 separate 3.5mm jacks. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-MUYH ... B004SP0WAQ
Also, make sure you plug both the headset and your external line input into the adapter first, then plug the adapter into the combo jack.

Thanks for the information. I ordered the same splitter/adapter from StarTech and a similar one from a different brand. But I will try to plug both the headset and external line input before I plug the adapter.

John

twistero wrote:What kind of Y-cable were you using? Normal splitters won't work, you need an adapter that specifically converts the 4-position 3.5mm jack (as used on many smartphones and certain newer laptops) into 2 separate 3.5mm jacks. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-MUYH ... B004SP0WAQ
Also, make sure you plug both the headset and your external line input into the adapter first, then plug the adapter into the combo jack.

It works for pc headphone now, if I plug them in the splitter. Both mic and earphone work. However, if I unplug the pc mic and plug in a audio feed to record external line input, there is nothing. I opened Sound panel and monitor for sound input level. The green bar didn't move, like nothing gets in. If anyone has succeeded in recording from a line input (not mic), please share.

Thanks.