Griffin Technology iMic - The original USB Stereo Input and Output Audio Adapter

Paired with an Ovann OV-M369 desktop microphone, this device enabled my Pi-Top Notebook (running on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B microcomputer) to have decently loud microphone input to a USB port. The Raspberry Pi 3 doesn't have a mic input line, you have to use USB. And the harsh reality about that is that the USB mini-microphones currently available have very poor input gain into a USB port. Pretty much zero, unless you smack the surface of the mic with something. Forget about speaking into them. This device solved that problem. There was no need to install Linux drivers, but I did have to go into the Preferences/Audio Device Settings panel, select the USB sound input, and then click on Select Controls to enable the microphone input and sound output options on the iMic device. To get the best results, (surprisingly clear mic input, even in this lab with noisy ventilation fans running) I had to turn the mic volume slider in those control adjustments to maximum. But this combination of devices works just fine, where the USB mini-mic I had tried before this was a total bust.One caveat: Although this device's very brief user guide is entitled "MIC/Line-IN USB Interface", it was not immediately apparent to me that the "output" jack next to the MIC jack is not an audio output for speakers. Testing showed me this device does NOT provide output for speakers. It appears that output jack is some kind of output passed along from the MIC input to this device. I don't know why one would want to connect a MIC to more than one device at a time, but I am guessing that is the purpose of that jack. The manual never makes any mention of connecting this to speakers or an amplifier, as would be done with most typical output jacks. The manual doesn't show connecting anything to the output jack. So this is an input-only device.

These are good for handling the missing audio-in jacks on the 2015 MacBook Pro. Griffin has always had good products, I've been using their stuff since the '90s. It's 4 stars because I think sound quality isn't quite as good as I'd like, but the next step up from this gets REALLY expensive.

This little device works exactly as advertised, and then some!I've tested the iMic with my laptop and it works exactly as advertised. You plug it into a USB port and two new audio devices are added to your computer; one input and one output... easy! I've also used it together with the Apple Camera Connection Kit (CCK) and a Tascam DR-05 to record high-quality stereo audio in my videos with my iPhone! While it's not officially documented or supported, it works perfectly. The iMic, when connected to an iOS device through the lightning to USB adapter provided in the CCK, overrides the internal microphone, speakers, and headphone jack meaning that any audio recorded is fed in through the "In" jack on the iMic, and any audio out is fed out through the "Out" jack on the iMic. You can even hook up headphones to the "Out" jack on the iMic to monitor the audio your iOS device is recording in real time. It's a great and simple solution to the lack of line in jack on iOS devices.

If you want to get some audio into your MacBook that doesn't have a Line In, this is the cheapest and easiest way to do that without buying an expensive USB audio input brick with a bunch of ports and knobs on it.Plug it in, and plug in a mic or instrument (1/8" / 3.5mm connector), and you're ready to record. It's as easy as that. And the sound quality, while not outstanding, is great for hobbyists, amateurs, or people just getting started with recording. I got mine set up with no software to install, and no problems whatsoever.I'd highly recommend this as your first-time USB recording input device if you want to get into some lightweight instrument or other recording.

I am using a Raspberry Pi model 2B for music application using PD Pure Data. The built-in audio on the Pi is terrible. Very high noise and small dynamic range. You can get good audio out via HDMI, but no audio in. There are no drivers yet for the Wolfson/Cirrus Logic card for the Pi2B, so if you want an ADC then you need a USB device. The iMic card was recommended by others in the PD community. And it works great! The chip Griffin uses is internally 24 bit, but only samples at 16 bit. But the audio in is very high quality. Some people have reported they need to back down USB to 1.1 speeds, but I did not have to do this. Works fine at full speed. The only trick for me is I need to start pd first, and then plug in the Griffin to avoid lockups. I'm pretty sure this is a config issue which I will be able to solve. (I'm still an Rpi noob). So I'm giving the iMic 5 stars.

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT USING TO RECORD LP's - to me, PRODUCT DESCRIPTION EGREGIOUSLY MISLEADING, at least in the turntable department!!!!.Final Vinyl is 10 YEARS OLD - won't work on any OS X version after about 2005-2007 - look it up!You can find free trial software with positive reviews, but not exactly user friendly IMO. If you do figure it out, it's $25 bucks, thank you.And as to HUM / BUZZ, should'a known, there's no ground lug...duh (and duh, computer is not a receiver/amp). And the goofy hum/buzz online workarounds...ugh.As others suggest, this product is not a budget silver bullet. And without processing software, it's worse than nothing.