Connecting a PC mic/headset into a XLR on a small mixer.

[jetam]

The headset's mic is usually an electret capacitor microphone. It has a simple built in amplifier that needs around 3 volts to operate. The TRS input on your mixer doesn't provide any power for the mic and the XLR with phantom power provides too high voltage. You have to find a way to power the mic - either by using the existing phanthom power and decreasing the voltage or by using a separate PSU.

[RonaldDumsfeld]

The mic in the PC headset is almost certainly an electret condenser. It needs 5mv which is usually supplied via the 'ring' contact on a 3.5mm plug via a soundcard.

[Keitaro333]

Thanks guys.
So i guess instead of getting a extra PSU or phantom power regulator (im guessing the 48v would burn the mic? :D) it would be easier just to get an extension cord and plug the mic into the onboard PC soundcard (i dont care about quality that much on a headset) if i want to have the headphones connected to the mixer.

[jetam]

Originally Posted by Keitaro333

Thanks guys.
So i guess instead of getting a extra PSU or phantom power regulator (im guessing the 48v would burn the mic? :D) it would be easier just to get an extension cord and plug the mic into the onboard PC soundcard (i dont care about quality that much on a headset) if i want to have the headphones connected to the mixer.

Yes, 48 V would burn the mic.
It would be easier to plug it in the soundcard, but you'll probably get quite a noticeable latency. If that's a problem, do some search on the web about powering an electret with a battery. The mic doesn't consume much electricity, so the battery should last quite a long time.

[RonaldDumsfeld]

I never did find a generic pre built device with XLR on one end, minijack socket on the other and which supplied power for an electret.

In the end I found it more convenient to use a regular mic and headphones.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

You would have to have one of the headset/mic combos like the one that came with Dragon Naturally Speaking, which has it's own battery for the mic. Then you need one of these: Rode VXLR - Mono Mini-Jack to XLR Converter VXLR B&H Photo Video or you just need to wire your own.

[Keitaro333]

Great, thanks for the suggestions guys.
Just wondering. What powers a regular dynamic mic when connected to the mixer? Does it need less power than a electret condenser?

[jetam]

Originally Posted by Keitaro333

Great, thanks for the suggestions guys.
Just wondering. What powers a regular dynamic mic when connected to the mixer? Does it need less power than a electret condenser?

A dynamic mics actually produces the power by itself. It's like a small generator - coil and a magnet.