1. How do I connect my headset to a PC?

2. My microphone does not record sound when connected to my PC?

3. Why do I get an Echo feedback when using Telephony programs?

4. What is the difference between "speaker output" and "line output" from the sound card?

5. What size plugs are on our Headsets?

6. What is the configuration of the microphone tip?

7. I bought a new headset and my recognition accuracy went down. What is wrong?

8. My microphone does not record sound when connected to my Macintosh.

9. I am trying to use my microphone (or headset) with a modem, to turn my PC into a telephone, and I am having difficulty setting it up.

10. FAQ for USB Headset and USB Audio Adapter
    

1. How do I connect my headset to a PC?
   Multimedia PCs include audio jacks labeled "speaker out", "mic in", "line in", and "line out". These jacks are accessible at the back of the PC, and accept standard 3.5mm stereo plugs. Our headsets connect to these audio jacks via two standard 3.5mm stereo plugs.
   The headphone (lime) plug connects to the "speaker out" or "line out" jack. The microphone (pink) plug connects to the "mic in" jack.
       
2. My microphone does not record sound when connected to my PC?
   If you are running Windows 95/98/ME, have you checked the microphone volume settings?
       

   Go to Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, then Volume Controls Look for Microphone balance and volume slider (if you do not see Microphone within the volume controls go to Options then Properties. Scroll down the list at the bottom, click the Microphone box. Click OK.) Make sure that the volume is at the halfway mark Make sure there is no check in the box labeled Select below the mic volume or be sure Mute is checked (you should have one or the other). Within the volume controls go to "Options" then "Properties" Below the mixer device, select the circle next to "Recording" Click OK Make sure that the volume is to at least halfway Click to check the box labeled "Select" below the mic volume or click to uncheck "Mute" Open Sound Recorder and test mic.

   If the sound card is an older model, then it is possible the sound card does not provide enough power for the microphone to operate properly. Newer sound cards provide the power necessary to allow new electret condenser microphones to operate properly. Two possible solutions include:

   A. Purchasing a "dynamic" type microphone, which will operate with your older sound card, or B. You may consider upgrading your sound card with a newer model. If the sound card is a newer model and you are running Windows 3.1x, check the mixer program for your sound card to adjust the microphone volume (refer to your sound card manual for further instructions). If you have an Ensoniq soundscape sound card, there is a jumper on the board to supply "Phantom Power" to the microphone to make it work properly. Please check the manual for the sound card under Phantom Power to set this jumper.

3. Why do I get an Echo feedback when using Telephony programs?
   The echo is caused by the output of your speakers becoming an input to your microphone. If your microphone is too close to your speakers or is in a direct path of the output of your speakers you can get the Echo loop. To correct this, move the microphone away from your speakers, change the direction your speakers are facing, or turn down the volume of the microphone. Sometimes you will need to do all three items to correct the problem.
    

4. What is the difference between "speaker output" and "line output" from the sound card?
   The "speaker output has higher drive capability (more power) than the "line output." The "speaker output" is capable of directly driving 8-Ohm speakers. The line output cannot directly drive 8-Ohm speakers, but usually can drive the higher impedance speakers of a headset. Powered Speakers include an amplifier and can operate from a line output. Older PC's had both a speaker output and line output from the sound card. Most new PC's have powered speakers and therefore only have a "line output" plug on the computer.
    

5. What size plugs are on our Headsets?
   All our Headsets have 3.5mm plugs (1/8"). All are compatible with PC's.
    

6. What is the configuration of the microphone tip?

   Connection	PC99 & SoundBlaster
   Tip	Mono Output
   Ring	Power
   Sleeve	Ground

    

7. I bought a new headset and my recognition accuracy went down. What is wrong?
   Every time you change microphones you must rerun the Audio setup wizard to set your microphone level, then re-train to get optimum performance. This is needed even when replacing a headset of the same model.

   Windows® Microphone Instructions

   How to properly adjust the various microphone-related parameters provided under Microsoft® Windows®. STEP 1 (Opening Volume Control and Recording Control) Tip: To open a Volume Control window, double-click the Speaker Icon on the extreme right of the task bar. If the Speaker Icon is not visible on the task bar, Select: Windows 98, ME, 2000 Start / Programs / Accessories / Entertainment / Volume Control Windows XP Start / All Programs / Accessories / Entertainment / Volume Control ( If all of the above fails, open Volume Control by selecting Start / Run / SNDVOL32.EXE ) 1.      Open Volume Control and position it in the upper half of your desktop. Select Options/Properties. In the Adjust Volume For box select Playback. In the Show The Following Volume Controls box make sure every item is checked. All may not be visible, so scroll down to the end of list. Click the OK button. 2.      Now, open a second Volume Control (which will be changed into a Recording Control) and position it in the lower half of your desktop. Select Options / Properties. In the Adjust Volume For box select Recording. In the Show The Following Volume Controls box make sure every item is checked. Click the OK button. 3.      Click Options on either of the two windows (Playback or Record) and make sure Advanced Controls is checked. Some sound cards do not support the Advanced Controls features in which case this option will not be available. STEP 2 (Setting The Volume Control) Select the Volume Control window and set all Volume controls to about 80 percent. Set all Balance controls to the middle (50%). Make sure that all the Mute boxes are unchecked except for the Microphone Mute box. Although it may at first seem strange, make sure the microphone's Mute box is checked in order not to route the microphone's input directly to the multimedia speakers. Mute the other boxes as appropriate for your voice-computing applications. STEP 3 (Setting The Recording Control) Select the Recording Control window and make sure the Select box for Microphone is checked. Set the level of the microphone to 50%. If supported by your sound hardware, click the Advanced button and enable or disable Mic Boost as desired. If you are not sure whether to enable or disable Mic Boost, try it both ways to see which works best with your voice-computing applications. You may also want to adjust the Bass and Treble if supported. STEP 4 (Testing the Microphone) If you would like, you can see if your microphone is working properly by making a recording. This can be done by selecting: Windows 98, ME, 2000 Start / Programs / Accessories / Entertainment / Sound Recorder Windows XP Start / All Programs / Accessories / Entertainment / Sound Recorder Press the record button, and, speaking naturally into the microphone, record a few seconds of speech. Press Stop, then Rewind and Play. You should hear your speech through either your headset or multi-media speakers, whichever you have attached. If you are unable to record through your microphone, check to ensure that you have carefully completed the instructions above. If you continue to have difficulties, check the Troubleshooting section of your documentation.

8. My microphone does not record sound when connected to my Macintosh.
   If the manual for the Macintosh states that it can use the electret condenser type microphone, check the volume settings in the control panel. If the Macintosh manual suggests the use of a "Plain Talk" compatible microphone, our microphone will not work properly. This is because the "Plain Talk" compatible microphone uses a longer non-standard plug. We do not currently offer any microphones that are compatible with the non-standard jack used on these models of Macintosh computers.
    
9. I am trying to use my microphone (or headset) with a modem, to turn my PC into a telephone, and I am having difficulty setting it up.
   You must have a voice capable modem. Voice capable modems can be identified by the presence of "mic in" and "speaker out" audio jacks located at the back of the modem. The microphone (or pink microphone plug of a headset) needs to be connected into the microphone jack on the voice modem. All of our microphones and headsets with microphones, require phantom power. This means that the modem must supply power through the microphone jack. Most of the voice modems available on the market do support this. For headsets, the lime (headphone) plug needs to be connected to the modem's "speaker out" jack.
   
   If you have tested the microphone and it is known to work properly, make sure to check the microphone volume in the voice software used with your modem.
    
10. FAQ for USB Headset and USB Audio Adapter
    Link to USB Headset and USB audio adapter - FAQ

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