# Unable to Record Audio with External Sound Card on MacBook Pro 2017

**URL:** <https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-record-audio-with-external-sound-card-on-macbook-pro-2017/55968>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [February 17, 2025, 12:51pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-record-audio-with-external-sound-card-on-macbook-pro-2017/55968 "2025-02-17T12:51:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![angeloschl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@angeloschl](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/angeloschl)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 12:51pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-record-audio-with-external-sound-card-on-macbook-pro-2017/55968/1 "2025-02-17T12:51:09Z")

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I am experiencing an issue with recording audio for my flashcards in Anki version 25.02 on a MacBook Pro 2017 running macOS 13.5.2 (22G91). When I try to record audio, I can only use the internal microphone of my laptop. However, when I connect my external sound card, I am unable to record audio through it.

Additionally, I receive a prompt asking if I have “lame” installed, despite having it installed and operational via the Terminal.

**Steps to Reproduce:**

1. Open Anki and attempt to record audio for a flashcard.

2. Use the internal microphone of the MacBook Pro 2017 — recording works fine.

3. Connect an external sound card and attempt to record audio.

4. Notice the inability to record and the prompt about “lame” installation.

**Expected Behavior:**

I should be able to record audio using my external sound card without any prompts regarding the “lame” installation.

**Actual Behavior:**

Recording is only possible with the internal microphone, and I receive a prompt about “lame” despite it being installed.

**Additional Information:**

• Anki version: 25.02

• macOS version: 13.5.2 (22G91)

• External sound card model: [Your sound card model here]

Any help or guidance on resolving this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-record-audio-with-external-sound-card-on-macbook-pro-2017/55968/2 "2025-02-17T17:27:56Z")

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> [@angeloschl](#):
>
> 1. Connect an external sound card and attempt to record audio.

1. At this step – are you able to use the external mic to record in any other apps on your laptop?
2. Is the external mic selected in you system as the primary/default/active mic?
3. Have you tried restarting Anki after connecting the new mic? Have you tried restarting your laptop after connecting the new mic?

> [@angeloschl](#):
>
> I receive a prompt asking if I have “lame” installed

1. Is that an error message that is coming from Anki? Could you post a screenshot of it?
2. Have you tried basic troubleshooting, like restarting Anki in safe mode – #2 on the [Troubleshooting Checklist](https://docs.ankiweb.net/troubleshooting.html) ?
3. Go to Anki \> About – click Copy Debug Info – paste that entire result when you respond.

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**Author:** ![angeloschl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@angeloschl](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/angeloschl)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 11:09am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-record-audio-with-external-sound-card-on-macbook-pro-2017/55968/3 "2025-02-20T11:09:13Z")

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Thanks for your reply.

To 1-3: All yes. I use it for all ZOOM, etc.

To 4:

 ![grafik](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/3X/2/6/26573a9bccb3620d6c6e0652be428721b3c67c95.png)

To 5:  
I tried safe mode. No changes.

To 6, debug info:  
Anki 25.02 (038d85b1)  
Python 3.9.18 Qt 6.6.2 PyQt 6.6.1  
Platform: macOS-13.5.2-x86\_64-i386-64bit

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 11:09am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-record-audio-with-external-sound-card-on-macbook-pro-2017/55968/4 "2025-03-22T11:09:22Z")

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