Pluggin a 1/8" Headset Mic into an XLR Mixer... Possible?

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mrplow

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A quick question for the gurus out there... I recently picked up a mic headset to use for VOIP that is terminated to separate stereo 1/8" mic and speaker connections. Is it possible for me to use an 1/8" to 1/4" TRS adaptor, then a Female 1/8" to Male XLR adaptor such as the one below... and get a usable signal from the mic when plugged into the XLR input of my mixer? Or do I need a transformer of some sort?

http://www.jacksmusicfactory.com/default.asp?productid=3585_Hosa_GXJ-235__1/4"_TRSF_-_XLRM_Adapter


Also, is there a reason why a female 1/8" to XLR male is much more expensive than a female 1/4" to XLR male?

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-XLRM3-MINI-3&source=froogle

Regards,

MrPlow
 
Headset mics usually get a few volts of power from the device they are plugged into . . . if your headset needs power, your solution won't work.
 
I agree that you may need power from one of the contacts on the mic part. The reason that the 1/8" connection is trs is probably due to that fact and not because it is a low z balanced connection. The headphone connection should work so long as you are sending it stereo information. As to why the 1/8" adaptor is more expensive would probably be because there is less demand for such a connection, 1/4" to xlr is a far more common occurance in audio, thus less are manufactured, thus more pricey to do so.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll have to go with an XLR headset w/mic... any recommendations in the $75-$150 range?
 
if you are only looking for a mic, look at the shure wh20XLR, should sell for about $80.00-$90.00.
Let me know if you need one, I can ship one to you. Or see if you can find a Crown CM311 used, I have seen them new online for around $170.00

oh yeah, you might be able to find some telex stuff used with headset and mic. Usually you can find someone who has them as part of a broadcast system , who doesn't really know how much they go for. Audio technica and senn make them too but they all are at least $200 or more.
 
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Thanks for the recommendations, Peter. I should of clarified that I'm actually looking for headphones with a mic (ie for Internet radio use). I've seen the Sennheiser HMD280 and Beyerdynamic DT290, but both are a bit too bulky and out of my budget as well. Would I be better off getting just using the headphones I have right now, and getting an omnidirectional XLR clip-on lav mic, such as the AKG D409?
 
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