headphones with mics - whats happening here?

[smallpaul]

Hey guys,

This has got me puzzled, as it has my local DJ shop! I bought a set of head phones with a mic, they come wired down into 2 x 3/4" JACK plugs. When i use them in my computer they work fine, when i plug them into my DJ Mixer's JACK inputs i cannot get the mic to work (Headphones work ok)

I am guessing this is a stereo/mono problem with my computers mic input being a stereo input and my mixers being mono.

Any ideas what this might be and how i can get these to work in my mixer?

Cheers guys,

Paul

 

[tarnationsauce2]

Unfortunately that headset isn't directly compatible with your mixer.
Computer sound cards have a "bias voltage" that is for use with electret condenser mics. It's similar in function to phantom power, but completely different voltage. It appears your headset uses one of these electret mics.
I found this web page with some circuits if you want to get an understanding of what is going on: http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/computer_microphone.php
Personally, I would return it and get a headset that will work for your situation. Unless you want to keep it to work with your computer.

 

[smallpaul]

well there you go - easy! thanks for your help

I thought there might be an adaptor or someway i could use them... not to worry.

so they are basically transmitting a much lower signal than usual? Would they work if i converted the JACK to a PHONO plug and used the pre-amp on the PHONO input of the mixer, instead of the mic?

Paul

 

[tarnationsauce2]

well there you go - easy! thanks for your help

I thought there might be an adaptor or someway i could use them... not to worry.

so they are basically transmitting a much lower signal than usual? Would they work if i converted the JACK to a PHONO plug and used the pre-amp on the PHONO input of the mixer, instead of the mic?

Paul

No it won't work. The voltage I talked about isn't a signal voltage. It is a power voltage.
Basically your sound card works like a battery or power plug through the mic cable to power the circuitry in the headset. As I'm sure you can imagine, no power source, no function.

 

[smallpaul]

ahhh! i see, sorry, average person trying to understand!

hmmmm, so i am looking for a headphone/mic set with a ____________(what?) mic?

 

[mshilarious]

ahhh! i see, sorry, average person trying to understand!

hmmmm, so i am looking for a headphone/mic set with a ____________(what?) mic?

Dynamic. There used to be a few, around 20 years ago before electrets became common. Shure and AT had a few models as I recall; shop around eBay.

Or you could build a battery box for the one you have.

 

[smallpaul]

thank you guys, i will continue my search!