--- title: How to use the Talkback function in Control 2 description: Several Apogee (Macintosh) products have a Talkback feature. Here we will use a Symphony Studio 8x16 and look at how to use a USB Mic connected to the computer, or an XLR Mic connected directly to your device. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/how-to-use-the-talkback-function#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![Apogee Logo White.png\]](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apogee%20Logo%20White.png?height=40&name=Apogee%20Logo%20White.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new) - Go to apogeedigital.com Go to apogeedigital.com How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Symphony Studio](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-studio?hsLang=en) 3. [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-studio?hsLang=en#getting-started) # How to use the Talkback function in Control 2 ## Several Apogee (Macintosh) products have a Talkback feature. Here we will use a Symphony Studio 8x16 and look at how to use a USB Mic connected to the computer, or an XLR Mic connected directly to your device. **NOTE: There is no Talkback feature in the Windows version of Control 2** In the Mac OS version of Control 2, there is a Talkback feature that can route a talkback mic from any input on your Apogee interface, *or any Core Audio input device,* like a USB mic, or even the built in MacBook microphone*,* to any Control 2 output destination. The workflows for using a Core Audio input device (*USB mic / Macbook mic*) versus using an XLR MIC input on your interface differs slightly, and we’ll cover both. To view larger versions of any pictures, right click on the image and select "Open image in new tab". [Using a USB Mic](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/how-to-use-the-talkback-function#USB_Mic) [Using a XLR Mic](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/how-to-use-the-talkback-function#XLR_mic) --- ### USING A USB MIC FOR TALKBACK Start by making sure that **Control 2** has permission to use the microphone. **System Settings \> Privacy & Security \> Microphone** It's likely that this setting is already enabled, but it's always a good idea to verify if you're experiencing any issues.  ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MicPermissionB-png.png?width=636&height=742&name=MicPermissionB-png.png) In this scenario, an Apogee HypeMiC is being used. Make sure your USB mic is up and running. To do this plug it onto your Mac and make sure it is being recognized by checking the INPUT section of the **Audio MIDI Setup app**. You can find the Audio MIDI app in your utilities folder. ⌘ + ⇧ + U for the Utilities folder. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/utilitiesB-png.png?width=645&height=821&name=utilitiesB-png.png) Audio MIDI app. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Talkback%2006b-png.png?width=649&height=503&name=Talkback%2006b-png.png) In Control 2, open the Talkback Settings window. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/talkback%2002%20open-png.png?width=544&height=1000&name=talkback%2002%20open-png.png) From the **Talkback Source** dropdown menu select the input device. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/talkback%2003%20source-png.png?width=543&height=996&name=talkback%2003%20source-png.png) Make sure to actually enable the input *channel* for the device you’ve selected. DarkGrey = OFF, Light Grey = ON ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Talkback%2004c2-png.png?width=276&height=250&name=Talkback%2004c2-png.png)   ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Talkback%2005c2-png-1.png?width=278&height=252&name=Talkback%2005c2-png-1.png) Now select the destination. Destinations are always in pairs and default to Playback 1 & 2.  Destinations are limited to the *Playback Channels* in Control 2. The number of available Playback channels is determined by the model of Apogee interface you are using. In this scenario a Symphony Studio 8x16 is being used.  By default, the ***output section*** (speaker or Line) of Control 2 will be set to begin at *Playback 1* and will go up, in order, to as many *physical* outputs as your device has. With a Symphony Studio 8x16 there are 16 possible speaker outputs. To prevent feedback and/or hearing yourself in your speakers you should select destinations that are out of range of any physical speaker outputs. In this scenario a USB mic is used as the **Talkback Source** and is routed to **Talkback Destination** 23 & 24. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Talkback%2007b-png.png?width=420&height=380&name=Talkback%2007b-png.png)   Here we see the talkback button engaged, and input from the USB mic on Playback 23 & 24 which are routed to the Headphone outputs via the Headphone source dropdown menu. Note that the Speaker Outputs are automatically Dimmed when the Talkback button is pressed. (When the Talkback button is NOT pressed you will not SEE or hear any signal) ( \* *Speaker Out’s are hidden in this screenshot* ) ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TalkBackOut%20copy-png.png?width=554&height=940&name=TalkBackOut%20copy-png.png) --- ### USING A MICROPHONE CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO ONE OF YOUR INTERFACE INPUTS  FOR TALKBACK First, make sure that **Control 2** has permission to use the microphone. **System Settings \> Privacy & Security \> Microphone** This will probably already be set to allow, but it’s good to check if you are having trouble. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MicPermissionB-png-1.png?width=527&height=615&name=MicPermissionB-png-1.png) Open the talkback Setting Window ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TalkbackSourceset-png.png?width=528&height=836&name=TalkbackSourceset-png.png) Select your device from the dropdown. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Talkback%20device-png.png?width=527&height=839&name=Talkback%20device-png.png)   Select the input Channel you want to use. And then select the destination (*Playback*) channels. Make sure to actually enable the input *channel* for the device you’ve selected. DarkGrey = OFF, Light Grey = ON ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TalkbackChannel-png.png?width=534&height=855&name=TalkbackChannel-png.png)   When you connect a microphone or line level device to any of your Interface inputs, it is automatically added to the *“Mixers”* - Mixer 1 & Mixer 2.  ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mixer%201full-png.png?width=324&height=589&name=Mixer%201full-png.png) ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mixer%202full-png.png?width=313&height=591&name=Mixer%202full-png.png) To achieve a typical talkback scenario, where the microphone is muted ***until*** the Talkback button is pressed, you’ll need to **MUTE** or pull the **FADER** down on the microphone **INPUT** channel on ***both*** Mixer 1 & Mixer 2. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MUTEmix1-png.png?width=322&height=735&name=MUTEmix1-png.png) ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MUTEmix2-png.png?width=320&height=732&name=MUTEmix2-png.png) *(If you don’t do this, you will have an OPEN MIC that will just be on all the time)* Audio will still pass through ***when the Talkback button is pressed*** because it is sent ***PRE-FADER*** to Playback Channels 23 & 24 - meaning that the **MUTE** and **Fader** level have no effect on the Talkback mic signal.  The MIC passes through to the Talkback plumbing that was set up earlier.  Below we see the Talkback button engaged, MIC signal coming in Analog IN 1, signal passing through to Playback 23 & 24, and finally to the headphone outputs via the Mixers. Mixer 1 (shown) for Headphones 1 and Mixer 2 for headphones 2. ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TalkbackEngaged%20copy-png.png?width=688&height=588&name=TalkbackEngaged%20copy-png.png) And that's it! ***Pro Tip:*** On products that have "print FX" DSP Such as the Symphony Studio you can use some compression on the Talkback Mic to even out the sound of the voices coming from the control room.  ![](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ECS-png.png?width=688&height=588&name=ECS-png.png) - [BOOM](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#user-guide) - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [FAQs](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Duet 3](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/duet-3?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/duet-3?hsLang=en#user-guide) - 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