How to Use Headset Mic on PC With One Jack

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In the era of wireless headsets, we still prefer to use wired headsets Mic on our pc with one jack. Wired headsets provide unmatched sound quality, enhancing the audio experience for music lovers and gamers.

How to Use Headset Mic on PC With One Jack?

If you want to use a headset microphone on a PC with one jack, you need to use a Y-splitter. Most headsets today have a single jack that can handle both a speaker and a microphone. So you can plug it into your PC’s audio slot and enjoy the audio experience.

However, if your headphone has two jacks or your PC has separate slots for audio input and output, follow these steps to use the headset microphone on a PC with one jack.

First, go to Control Panel Settings

You can find it in the Start menu or search for it in the search bar (Windows 10). For Windows 7, you can find it in the Start menu. For Windows 8 and 8.1, you can find them in the Apps section.

In the control panel, there is an option called Sound. Click to open sound settings.

When the sound window opens, you will see a tab at the top called Recording. Click the appropriate tab.
The recording device being used is displayed. Now choose the one you want to use. You will see the Default View button become active. Click on it.

For Mac users

On a MacBook, the settings are different than on a Windows PC. So, here are a few different steps to put an end to the problem.

In the first step, open the searchlight tool and search for sound options there.

You will now see the Input tab. Now click on the Input tab. If you left-click on a device, the default options are displayed here. Click the Default button to set the headset as default.

For modern PCs:

Modern PCs already have two ports for microphones and headphones. If your new PC also has only one port, try adjusting the port using the steps you did for your old PC. It will also work on your new PC, as this is the only easy way to use a headset with one jack.

It is essential to know that while this solution is very effective for all kinds of devices, there is no guarantee that this technology will always work.

If this doesn’t work, a splitter to get a solution with a splitter is the last option for this problem. Provides additional ports for headsets.

What is a single-jack headset?

Before we go all into the process, there are a few things you need to know about headsets. The headset jack is what holds all the connector elements on the headset. Here is where all the headset wires converge to transmit audio information.

A single-jack headset is now a headset with only one jack. It is the only point at which audio is delivered and received. For ease of understanding, consider a single jack that works for both the microphone and the receiver.

Why are headsets with a single jack microphone more popular?

A headset with a one-jack microphone can be an excellent choice for gamers. According to experts, using the keyboard to communicate with gamers during heated gaming sessions can be a daunting task for gamers.

Moreover, the PC’s microphone may not be suitable for clearly picking up the gamer’s voice and sending it further away (the microphone may pick up external environmental noise/sounds). Here it would be best if you had a headset with a microphone with one jack.

Wired over-ear headphones with a one-jack microphone provide superior audio quality and can be the best choice for gamers. Fully equipped to balance game sound and voice during the audio conversation. It is also very comfortable for long gaming sessions.

Check Also: Top 10+ Best Budget Boya Microphones for Smartphones in 2023

Headsets with one jack microphone are configured with a tip ring sleeve (TRRS) jack that supports both a microphone and a headset and produces a lower impedance signal.

On the other hand, traditional headphones with a microphone and two jacks don’t support microphone sound but are configured with a TRS (tip ring sleeve) jack which does an excellent job of keeping stereo sound.

What are TRRS, TS, and TRS?

The letters here refer to the different types of connectors and plugs used to connect devices and headsets. These provide a signal to the device.

They are on every end of a pair of headphones. This word is an abbreviation. ‘T’ for ‘tip’, ‘S’ for ‘sleeve’, and ‘R’ for ‘ring’.

The TS has one tip and one sleeve. The TRS has one tip, one ring, and a sleeve that carries the signal. The TRRS has one tip, one sleeve, and two rings.

Hopefully, you have understood the basic things about a microphone headset with one jack! Now let’s move to our main topic, “How to use a headset mic on a PC with one jack?”.

What to do if the headset has one jack and the PC has two?

If your headset has one jack and your computer has two, follow the steps below to troubleshoot your headset.

For older PCs:

To use a single jack headset on your PC, look for the sound icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar.
Click the icon and open the sound settings.
Alternatively, you can go to Control Panel and open the Sound Options.
When the Sound Settings window opens, go to the Recording tab.
Your microphone should appear here. If not, click on Microphone Settings.
When the system starts the microphone validation process, it should start working.
Click Apply, then exit the setup.
Check if the headphones are now working.

For Apple users:

Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of your Mac system.
At the menu that opens, click on System Preferences.
You will see the Sound option in System Preferences.
Click to open it, then go to the last tab, the Input tab.
Choose your preferred microphone as the default microphone.
Close the window and check if the headsets are working.

Conclusion

With the advancement of technology, our devices become outdated very quickly, and we face the problem of having a lot of incompatible devices at home. Headsets and PC technology evolve rapidly, so it’s no wonder we’re stuck with outdated products.

This article provides solutions for using a headset mic on a PC with one jack and a single jack headset on a PC with two audio slots.

Both situations are found worldwide, and you can face either of these problems. We hope our solution was helpful and you are using the headset and enjoying the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a splitter, and how does it affect quality?

A splitter is a gadget that splits the function of a single jack in two so that users can connect the jack to their computer. In other words, essential parallelism connects two outputs from a single input.

There is no volume loss when using the splitter, but the audio quality is degraded. Because volume is proportional to voltage, a splitter divides current, not voltage. That is why the splitter does affect the audio quality, even though it does not affect the volume.

Do you need a splitter for your headset?

If your headset has two jacks and your computer only has one audio port, you will need to use a splitter. Or if you want to connect two headsets to one computer. In other cases, there is no need to use a splitter.

Does the splitter work with microphones?

Yes, it should. You should check your device’s audio settings if you have trouble using your microphone.

Can I use single-jack headsets on my PC without a splitter?

Over the years, headsets have moved towards a single dual-purpose jack instead of two separate jacks for both input and output. Older PCs usually have separate ports for audio and input. At the time, headsets typically offered two different jacks. That was meaningful at the time.

In most cases, with computers with separate ports for sound and input, you will need to use a splitter to use a single-jack headset fully. Nevertheless, you can use a headset without the splitter, and both the headset and microphone functions.

Does the speaker reduce the sound quality or audio level?

No. The 3.5mm jack headset splitter should not cause any audio loss, degradation, or audio lag. However, there may be slight variations in audio quality if you use an under-product. That’s why it’s so important to get a good-quality splitter.