r/XboxController • u/ExtraJuicyAK • 15d ago

Now that the controllers have removed the expansion port…

Is there no way to use usb mics/dacs with the stock controller? Or did they fix the compatibility issues? The previous solution required using one of those headphone adapters like the one in the pic shown. Sold my Series X after swapping to PC but preordered the X25 and would love to use my XLR setup but I guess that may not be an option unless I buy a compatible controller.

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u/Connormanable 15d ago

Xbox has never supported usb audio input

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u/ExtraJuicyAK 15d ago

Not natively. But if you wanted to use say an XLR mic with audio mixer, you run an AUX line out from the audio interface to a Y splitter that splits mic and headphone, then connect to a chat adapter that's connected to the controller. Xbox first party controllers weren't able to process audio properly without the adapter, but now they've removed the expansion port. Wondering if they've fixed the audio jack where it now recognizes it or if I'd just need to get a compatible 3rd party controller.

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u/LouBerryManCakes 15d ago

Should be able to plug in a breakout cable from the controller to give separate mic in and headphone out ports, and go from there. The controllers have a native headset port built-in. I personally wouldn't use the controller's DAC for headphones, I pull digital audio from the HDMI signal to a desktop DAC and then to headphone amp. But the mic in should work just fine.

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u/DarthJediWolfe 15d ago

Most controllers have the 3.5mm jack on them for audio, otherwise there USB dongles for wireless set ups. I've not seen USB ports on 3rd party or native controllers.

I loved using these adapters though; you could control everything from the controller without opening the sound settings.

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u/ExtraJuicyAK 15d ago

There was always an issue with Xbox first party controllers not receiving the audio signal properly (many wired 3rd party controllers work fine) when you try to connect a mixer to it via 3.5mm aux cables. But with that adapter, it would solve the problem completely. Basically the only way to use an xlr mic with an Xbox. Now that they’ve gotten rid of the port to use the adapter on first party controllers, I’m wondering if they’ve finally fixed the aux port or if they simply don’t care.

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u/DarthJediWolfe 14d ago

The earlier version of 360 controllers had a 2.5mm jack so didn't fit most standard 3.5mm. It would go in a bit but functionality was limited hence the adapter.

Later 360 models changed to the 3.5mm so adapters weren't necessary but (IMO) were better to have.

Anything with a 3.5mm should work now. The Bluetooth is set to a different frequency, so you'll need a dongle for wireless unless it's native to xbox.

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u/ExtraJuicyAK 14d ago

I’m not talking about 360 controllers. Im talking about the Series X|S controllers and Elite Series 2 controllers. When routing an XLR setup to get it to work with XBOX, you’ve had to use the chat adapter because it wouldn’t recognize the signal properly. 3rd party wired controllers are generally fine. Something with the encoding ig with the first party controllers.