Skype Sound and Audio Set-Up
Macintosh running Mac OS X 10.3 or greater
In order to have Skype software running to its full potential, you may want to review the following instructions.
Important! Please note that the following set of instructions may be different for some users due to their audio software/hardware manufacturer and their specific Mac OS X version.
How to...
- ... get to the Sound preferences for Mac OS X
- ... change sound output preferences
- ... change sound input preferences
- ... change Skype’s audio preferences
How to Get to the Sound Preferences
Click on the Apple Menu and select System Preferences:
The System Preferences window will appear.
In the System Preferences window, find Sound and click on it:
The Sound preferences will appear:
How to Change Sound Output Preferences
Looking at the Mac OS X Sound preferences, click on Output:
You can adjust the Volume and Balance settings from this panel.
When using Skype, the Mute box should be unchecked.
Checking Show volume in the menu bar is optional and handy. It allows you to adjust the sound volume without having to open System preferences.
You should see a list of available ways to output sound such as Built-in Speakers or Headphones. If more than one output device is listed, choose the device you prefer for sound output on your Mac. The selection here is the default output for sound on your Mac.
It is also possible to have Skype related sounds output on a different device than the default Mac OS X sound output preference. See How to change Skype’s audio preferences for help with this.
For best results, try using headphones or a headset.
How to Change Sound Input Preferences
Looking at the Mac OS X Sound preferences, click on Input:
You should see a list of available ways to input sound such as Internal microphone or External microphone. If more than one output device is listed, choose the device you prefer for sound input on your Mac. The selection here is the default input for sound on your Mac.
It is also possible to have Skype related sounds input on a different device than the default Mac OS X sound input preference. See How to change Skype’s audio preferences for help with this.
Your Mac will allow you to adjust the Input Volume of microphones used with your computer. As a general rule you want the Input Volume to be high enough so that the source of sound can be heard, but not too high so that you avoid causing distortion. You can test the Input Volume setting by speaking into a microphone in a normal voice and watching the response of the Input Level meter. For best results, the Input Level should fall in a range of 2/3 to 3/4 full. You can experiment to find the level that sounds best using your equipment by adjusting the Input Volume higher or lower.
The Output Volume controls the volume of sound coming out of your computer.
Checking Show volume in the menu bar is optional and handy. It allows you to adjust the sound volume without having to open System preferences.
When using Skype, the Mute box should be unchecked.
For best results, try using headphones or a headset.
How to Change Skype’s Audio Preferences
In addition to Mac OS X’s sound preferences, Skype has its own Audio preferences that allow you to further customize how Skype’s sounds are handled on your computer.
You may prefer to have Skype’s sounds treated differently than other sounds on your system. For example, you may like music to be played on a set of external speakers but sound from a Skype conversation to be played on a headset. This sort of customization is possible using the Skype Audio preferences.
Using Skype Audio preferences you can also set preferences specific to voice calls.
To find and change Skype Audio preferences:
Open Skype.
Click on the Skype menu and select Preferences...
Click on Audio:
To select an audio output device specific to Skype, choose from the Audio Output menu.
To select an audio input device specific to Skype, choose from the Audio Input menu.
Checking Echo Cancellation should help reduce echo in your voice calls.
Checking Gain Control enables Skype to help reduce distortion that can occur from over-amplification of sound input.
Test your Skype software now.
If you are still having problems, please go to our help center.
