• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Connecting a balanced mono line output to Xbox Series S microphone input

terencehill

New Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2024
Messages
2
Likes
0
Hello,

I have a microphone preamp (Audient iD4) with 2 balanced outputs (L + R), and a headphone output.
Furthermore, I have an XBOX Series S controller with a combined headphone/microphone jack.

What I'm trying to achieve: using the microphone connected to the Audient iD4 on the XBOX.

What I did:
I used a splitter cable to split the combined jack of the XBOX controller into a microphone and a headphone jack (both 3.5mm).
Then I used a 6.35mm instrument cable (both ends 6.35mm, TS cable) and connected a 6.35 to 3.5mm adapter on one end. I connected one end to the splitter cable's mic input and the other end to the iD4's L line level output. But I don't hear anything...

I played around with the volume of the speaker output, even with the pan settings L/R, but to no avail.
 
The short answer is that they are not compatible. :(

Line level signals are about 100 times stronger than microphone signals. You'd need an attenuator. The mic output also has a 5V "bias" to power electret condenser "computer mics" and that can potentially have "unknown effects" on whatever is plugged-in.

The combo jack also needs a 4-contact TRRS plug to make the microphone connection. (Regular headphones will work.)
 
But it should be possible to turn down the volume of the line level signal. I know the signal must be dampened by ~20dB but can't this be achieved by reducing the volume?

There must be a missing connection because I don't hear anything. If the level was just too high, I would need to hear distortion.

I think I have this splitter: https://ventiontech.com/products/3-...litter-for-laptop-headphone-aux-cable-adapter

The combo jack is definitely a TRRS plug. Because it supports stereo output and a mic. So there must be 4 connections.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom