[Gaming Audio] Astro MixAmp presets + Best Audio Gear Guide + Headphone Reviews

[Roman_M]

Side comment

I got a Xbox Series X, I'll set it up and tested with my audio gear. 

Okay, thank you Alan 😊.  I understood everything, and what kind of equipment do you use on your xbox series X?  ...  And I also saw "Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tactical Audio Controllers" on Amazon, it seems to be for chat, a good option, I would like to connect it to my xbox sx.  Is it worth it?  What do you think ?  I want an equalizer / mixer under (ell dac 2 + atom amp)

Alan, if I can ask you more, I would like to inquire about mixers, I would like to regulate these things.  In general, what else can I connect for a complete set for myself?  ears, micro, everything is super, like 😊.  But I would like an "equalizer, or mixer, console" for some kind of effects, and sound interests.  And yet, then, as new monitors with hdmi 2.1 come out, it will be necessary to contact you again about (is it worth changing the insignia audio extractor (60hrz)) (which cables, cords to change for a new monitor) (what should I change from my kit (  insignia extractor, ell dac 2, atom amp, bt 990pro, audiotechnika ATGM -2) For better. Thank you, we can't cope without you, you are irreplaceable for us 🤗

[Roman_M]

Side comment

I got a Xbox Series X, I'll set it up and tested with my audio gear. 

Alan, friend.  Write your ideal * setup * for the xbox series X. What do you think can be maximized in terms of sound, what did you buy for yourself?  What to choose .  The "richest" option.  Which will maximize the sound, picture, and the rest that you can.  Thank you very much.
🤗🤗🤗

[MisterWicked1]

Side comment

I got a Xbox Series X, I'll set it up and tested with my audio gear. 

See anything coming soon new and exciting for audio? What is your opinion on the Beyerdynamic TYGR 300? I used to always use my dt 1990s but then went back to my Sennheisers a while back.

[AMG]

Weekend is here, I got a Status CB-1 headphones tried them, played 3 hours.

First impressions: HOLLY @#$%... WOW.

Pros:
+ Comfortable, light and breathable. Earpads has very soft, squish with a earshape hole.
+ Great sound, very balanced.
+ Gaming: footsteps are very present, it has a narrow soundstage (how wide is the sound enviroment) similar to Sennheisers, not as narrow than A40s. Surround effects feels great.
+ Competitive gaming: Imaging (sound cue positioning) is precise, like on $200+ audiophile headphones

Cons so far:
- Plastic construction, that makes them light but we will see how long last.
- Cables are OK, one straight is too long and the other one is coiled for desktop use. Even though you can use any 3.5 mm male on it, so no big deal.
 - That's it... I'm picky and these are pretty good.

Without of doubt: best closed back headphone for $45, Wow I have headphones that sounds similar and cost 4x times, no joking. Now I get it why had such nice star rate with over 2K reviews.

Guys if you have a MixAmp, please PLEASE give them a try, these are light years better than the A40s for the price of a game, you didn't like them? can sent them back... I don't think you will... nah-ah. They are low impedance MixAmp can drive them easily.

Gaming Audio Review In short:
Bass controlled, slappy present, explosions will be feel nice and clear but not over take other frequencies.
Midrange (footsteps, vocals callouts) are present, distinguishable it will pop out clearly and fast in the mix.
Treble is not as sharp as beyerdynamics or noncontroller as Audio-Technica M50x, crisp and don't distort.

Any prevalent frequency?
These are analytical headphones, are very balanced/flat every frequency has its place... is a tool for music mixing without of doubt, for gamers... well we can hear every detail in our game and with a bit of Equalization we can make them sound as we want without messing the other frequencies, that's the good thing of a balanced (flat sounding) headphone. I bet Potara has some EQ for MixAmp somewhere on its messy discord library. However you can pretty much use any EQ for A40 or other headphone and find what you like more.

For starters, closed back in a budget these headphones will be my go-to recommendation, a must-try for everyone.

[Roman_M]

Weekend is here, I got a Status CB-1 headphones tried them, played 3 hours.

First impressions: HOLLY @#$%... WOW.

Pros:
+ Comfortable, light and breathable. Earpads has very soft, squish with a earshape hole.
+ Great sound, very balanced.
+ Gaming: footsteps are very present, it has a narrow soundstage (how wide is the sound enviroment) similar to Sennheisers, not as narrow than A40s. Surround effects feels great.
+ Competitive gaming: Imaging (sound cue positioning) is precise, like on $200+ audiophile headphones

Cons so far:
- Plastic construction, that makes them light but we will see how long last.
- Cables are OK, one straight is too long and the other one is coiled for desktop use. Even though you can use any 3.5 mm male on it, so no big deal.
 - That's it... I'm picky and these are pretty good.

Without of doubt: best closed back headphone for $45, Wow I have headphones that sounds similar and cost 4x times, no joking. Now I get it why had such nice star rate with over 2K reviews.

Guys if you have a MixAmp, please PLEASE give them a try, these are light years better than the A40s for the price of a game, you didn't like them? can sent them back... I don't think you will... nah-ah. They are low impedance MixAmp can drive them easily.

Gaming Audio Review In short:
Bass controlled, slappy present, explosions will be feel nice and clear but not over take other frequencies.
Midrange (footsteps, vocals callouts) are present, distinguishable it will pop out clearly and fast in the mix.
Treble is not as sharp as beyerdynamics or noncontroller as Audio-Technica M50x, crisp and don't distort.

Any prevalent frequency?
These are analytical headphones, are very balanced/flat every frequency has its place... is a tool for music mixing without of doubt, for gamers... well we can hear every detail in our game and with a bit of Equalization we can make them sound as we want without messing the other frequencies, that's the good thing of a balanced (flat sounding) headphone. I bet Potara has some EQ for MixAmp somewhere on its messy discord library. However you can pretty much use any EQ for A40 or other headphone and find what you like more.

For starters, closed back in a budget these headphones will be my go-to recommendation, a must-try for everyone.

Alan, what can you say about a sound amplifier or an amplifier?  What have you tried to connect to the xbox.  Which microphone worked for you?  It's just that I have a microphone for the bt 990 pro - it doesn't want to work without a Y-adapter.  Is it possible to connect more than (sound card, headphone amplifier, and extractor?) I would like to connect some kind of mixer.

[AMG]

Thanks for your comments Roman_M

Xbox audio support is closed-out, compared to Sony, which offers support standardized Audio Codecs.

There isn't any USB audio device that gives you Audio-In gate for digital based mic interface.

The only way is to feed a Mic (Analog) input with a Audio Output (Analog) signal, like that comes from a Headphone, the Y splitter trick.

However, this signal is too strong and needs to be lowered so the Mic In can use it. Hence it requires either a inline volume control knob or have a way to lower the volume of that audio out before connecting to the Mic In.

Audio Out for headphones is not a problem, if you have DAC with Optical Digital In, just get a HDMI Audio Extractor, connect your console to the Extractor, HDMI (Video) goes to your Display (TV/Gaming Monitor) and your audio goes via SPDIF to your DAC SPDIF in. Connect your DAC to an AMP (via RCA) if you need amplification for a high impedance headphones, set the right gain settings and control the volume on the AMP Knob. Done.

Now, a mixer is a very wide subject, I don't know what do you want or if you are getting the basics right.

But If you only want a decent XLR Microphone for teamchat on Xbox you require:
1) Y splitter (separates headphone out and mic in)
2) Microphone XLR Interface, not a mixer.

Microphone XLR Interface can be powered connected to a wall or via USB. This device should have a voice headphone output (which contains your voice picked from the microphone) connect the Interface headphone output to the Mic in at the Y splitter, with a 3.5mm male-to-male cable extension.

Your should set your console so all audio (game and team chat) goes to the main audio output (HDMI) so can be on your headhphones via HDMI Audio Extractor to Headphone DAC/Amp.

[Roman_M]

Thanks for your comments Roman_M

Xbox audio support is closed-out, compared to Sony, which offers support standardized Audio Codecs.

There isn't any USB audio device that gives you Audio-In gate for digital based mic interface.

The only way is to feed a Mic (Analog) input with a Audio Output (Analog) signal, like that comes from a Headphone, the Y splitter trick.

However, this signal is too strong and needs to be lowered so the Mic In can use it. Hence it requires either a inline volume control knob or have a way to lower the volume of that audio out before connecting to the Mic In.

Audio Out for headphones is not a problem, if you have DAC with Optical Digital In, just get a HDMI Audio Extractor, connect your console to the Extractor, HDMI (Video) goes to your Display (TV/Gaming Monitor) and your audio goes via SPDIF to your DAC SPDIF in. Connect your DAC to an AMP (via RCA) if you need amplification for a high impedance headphones, set the right gain settings and control the volume on the AMP Knob. Done.

Now, a mixer is a very wide subject, I don't know what do you want or if you are getting the basics right.

But If you only want a decent XLR Microphone for teamchat on Xbox you require:
1) Y splitter (separates headphone out and mic in)
2) Microphone XLR Interface, not a mixer.

Microphone XLR Interface can be powered connected to a wall or via USB. This device should have a voice headphone output (which contains your voice picked from the microphone) connect the Interface headphone output to the Mic in at the Y splitter, with a 3.5mm male-to-male cable extension.

Your should set your console so all audio (game and team chat) goes to the main audio output (HDMI) so can be on your headhphones via HDMI Audio Extractor to Headphone DAC/Amp.

Can I connect a mixer like this?  to (sound card, amplifier, extractor, xbox)?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SZD7PNH/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_glt_fabc_AGMWRGJNEVFHMDGXCB3W

[AMG]

What you are trying to do?

[Roman_M]

What you are trying to do?

just plug it in

[AMG]

Yeah you can do it, as I explain there is no other way than Y splitter.

That's HUGE mixer with many XLR for a gaming console is overkill.

[MisterWicked1]

Hi MisterWicked1! 

If I understand, your setup is to get the best Audio on your Headphones (Arc MK2 Optical In) and a better Mic quality (Quadcast USB)

GoXLR/GoXLR Mini are not compatible with PS4/PS5. In order to use it, you need and Audio Interface compatible with Playstation as an intermediate that have a Audio In and Audio Out so you can communicate your PS with the GoXLR. A USB Sound card can do the trick.

Is going to be a cable mess, so embrace.

This is a rough diagram on how to make it work. On the lined square


Explained:
PS5 Only sees the USB Soundcard. The USB soundcard should be set as your Audio Device Out and Audio Mic on PS5 menu. The Headphone signal from the USB Soundcard will take the Audio into the GoXLR via Audio In so you can use it on your Streaming PC.

The USB Soundcard Mic will receive the Line Out signal from the GoXLR, where your XLR mic voice comes. Mic input is not like a Audio In input, you need to lower this signal that's why I suggest to use an inline volume controller, for better results.

Then at your Streaming PC on the GoXLR options you can route/select how to manage audio on your stream.
My Routing:

Broadcast Stream Mix is "What my Stream can hear".
OUTPUTS this are the Slider that you can change levels or mute on your GoXLR.
read INPUTS as "What I can put in the devices"

As you can see I want the MIC (XLR mic on GoXLR) to be present (tick icon) on:
+ My Headphones, to monitor my voice.
+ Broadcast Stream Mix, so my stream viewers can hear it.
+ Line Out, my voice goes to the Line Out so the USB sound card can hear it and use it on PS Chat.
+ Chat Mic, mute your mic for the Stream or your Console (so you can talk with your audience and not bother your friends on PS Chat party) or both.

As you can see, I don't have Music as Slider or Chat (Discord) and Console(SPDIF In).
I personally prefer to put the music on my Streaming PC, and manage its level on OBS. Also I have a special filter that allows me to "duck" audio, meaning the music sound clear and strong but... when I speak and my Mic Signal pops up, the Music level lowers down subtle fading so you can listen my voice while the music is nice in the background, once I stop talking music level goes up subtly, this is fancy sh1t I learned when I worked on a radio station.

I don't use Discord, I chat with PS Chat party.

Console Game doesn't have its Slider either because I'm not using the SPDIF, my game audio is going directly to HDMI to my Integrated Capture Card, same with music on OBS I manage the levels and add that fancy filter I told eariler (ducking). So my voice is present and clear and Music and Game Audio are ducking.

Ufff, that was a lot information, I hope I have not confused you.

GoXLR / GoXLR, requires a Streaming PC. Is pretty cool to have the sliders to manage your mic level, music, discord chat, and game audio, but in my case because I do music on my PC and chat on my PS, I only use the slider for Mic and the Voice Chat of PS.

If you don't have a Streaming PC or a good CPU for streaming or a nice GPU for encoding your streaming, if you want to do everything with your Playstation built-in Streaming Feature, you don't need GoXLR Mini, a USB Mixer compatible with PS will do the job to connect any XLR mic to your PS5, and manage your chat audio.

Phenyx Pro USB audio Mixer ($70 usd).


Microphone I recommend even though you have make your mid is sE Electronics V7, is a dynamic mic supercardiod that completely blocks keyboard strokes and don't need a sound treated room, it has very nice low end, sound similar than MV7 for $99, if you connected to GoXLR Mini or with Equalization via Software you can make it sound indistinguishable like the $500 shure SM7b.

Finally got all this hooked today with sE Electronics v7, working good after 20 mins of realizing in the goXlr software I had the Gate threshold at 80

[K9ozzy]

The current setup. I love the Schiit Loki mini equalizer! Took some time and work around to get everything working and to be able to keep the optical input for the mixamp.  I'm really eyeballing those Sennheiser HD 800S's.  I'm an audiophile, love tinkering with the setup, and always looking to squeeze every bit of performance out of my gaming setup.  Question: since I have a mini equalizer, what would be the best settings for my mixamp? 

[AMG]

MisterWicked1,
Awesome!, GoXLR is the best mixer for streaming IMO.

This mic EQ by Julian Krause will make sE V7 sounds similar to a $500 Shure SM7B:

Code: [Select]

10.5KHz    -4dB        5Q
6.4KHz     -5dB        5Q
4.2KHz     -3dB        1Q
100 Hz     +2dB      1.5Q
Nice setup K9ozzy 

On the MixAmp load the "Flat, Neutral or Balanced" EQ profiles tuned for HDD660S by Emperor Potara, this way Shiit Loki can work best. If there isn't any, use MixAmp's Direct Mode.

I guess you keep MixAmp due Game/Chat Mix, but it is a significant audio quality bottleneck. Consider to get a new DAC, first specially if you are going after HD800, even now you are already missing from the HD660S.

Another "harsh analogy"  :
If DAC reproduce image instead of sound, this is the performance difference:



 

[AMG]

Based on that analogy, a great external EQ like Shiit Loki, what it does is changing the Brightness, Contrast and Hue of the image to your liking. 

[antithesis]

Regarding the GoXLR - I feed my consoles, including PS5 & Series X, through a HDMI switch with optical audio extraction.That pipes into the optical port of the GoXLR for OBS capture / streaming, as well as to a Sound Blaster X7. It's unfortunate that next-gen consoles dropped the optical port, but a workaround is very simple.

Honestly though, the console controller audio port is fine for most gaming scenarios and it's much simpler to implement. I use Fidelio X2 headphones and a V-Moda Boom Pro mic for myself and my son for multiplayer gaming. A quick unplug from the X7 to the controller port and I'm done.