Local Install with Remote Database

I have a local install and a client-visible, remote install that I need to share the remote database.

I’m using MAMP for the local. I’ve tried changing wp-config to match the remote file. I’ve tried changing MAMP to default Apache/MySQL ports. I’ve read that the OS X Apache can interfere with MAMP’s version, but I never set up Apache so I don’t know why it would be running.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.