Xbox 360 Controller messes up sound on USB Headset

Gunsnipe43 · 05-11-2007, 07:55 PM

Hi, I just joined this forum because I have an incredibly annoying problem.

I have an Xbox 360 wired controller that I like to plug into my computer, because sometimes that can be more useful than a keyboard and mouse. I also just use an usb headset. Problem is, whenever I have the controller plugged in, the sound on the headset and the microphone get fuzzy. What I mean by this is that whenever any sound while doing absolutely anything does not come out crystal clear, but is distorted. I know that this is not a headset issue, because I have had this exact same problem with 2 different usb headsets. I have an idea that it might be because the 360 controller has a place where you can plug a special type of headset into it, and that messes something up with the actual headset. If I plug my headset directly into the sound card though it works fine. Anyone have any ideas? This is very frustrating. (Imagine how frustrating this was when I didn't know that the 360 controller was messing with the headset.)

Maximina · 03-20-2008, 04:18 PM

Found a solution! Registered to post it, since I could not find the solution ANYWHERE on the internet...

Using an Xbox 360 controller or any other Xbox 360 peripheral with 95% of USB sound cards or headsets will produce HORRIBLE sound input and output. It sounds like a robot has swallowed and spat back out the waveforms. Even if the 360 peripheral is removed any USB audio devices plugged in after the fact will still sound corrupted until a fresh reboot without the 360 peripheral plugged in.

I believe that the problem is somehow linked to the "generic root hub" driver, which hasn't been updated since 2001, thanks M$.

The solution (pick one of 3):
As long as the 360 peripheral is on it's own internal virtual root hub it will not interfere with other devices. You can force it to use another root hub by doing ONE of the following:
1) Fill up your usb ports with other devices till it shifts to using a secondary root hub, then plug in the 360 peripheral. This could take up to 10 USB things, depending on your motherboard and the maximum devices on each root hub.
2) Use an extra internal PCI-USB card for the 360 peripheral.
3) Use an extra external USB hub for the 360 peripheral. EASIEST

NOTE: A reboot is usually required to clear up the driver's confusion.

Gunsnipe43 · 03-21-2008, 07:07 AM

Thanks man I even forgot I posted this, but I tried number 3 and now they work perfectly fine together, thanks a whole bunch.

sarrif93 · 02-28-2009, 11:21 AM

Hi, im having the same problem as this but instead im using the Guitar hero 3 controller that came with the game, i've been looking for a solution for quite some time now and i found this one but i dont exactly know what you are trying to explain

05-11-2007, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gunsnipe43 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP My System	Xbox 360 Controller messes up sound on USB Headset Hi, I just joined this forum because I have an incredibly annoying problem. I have an Xbox 360 wired controller that I like to plug into my computer, because sometimes that can be more useful than a keyboard and mouse. I also just use an usb headset. Problem is, whenever I have the controller plugged in, the sound on the headset and the microphone get fuzzy. What I mean by this is that whenever any sound while doing absolutely anything does not come out crystal clear, but is distorted. I know that this is not a headset issue, because I have had this exact same problem with 2 different usb headsets. I have an idea that it might be because the 360 controller has a place where you can plug a special type of headset into it, and that messes something up with the actual headset. If I plug my headset directly into the sound card though it works fine. Anyone have any ideas? This is very frustrating. (Imagine how frustrating this was when I didn't know that the 360 controller was messing with the headset.)

03-20-2008, 04:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Maximina Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1 OS: Mostly XP	Re: Xbox 360 Controller messes up sound on USB Headset Found a solution! Registered to post it, since I could not find the solution ANYWHERE on the internet... Using an Xbox 360 controller or any other Xbox 360 peripheral with 95% of USB sound cards or headsets will produce HORRIBLE sound input and output. It sounds like a robot has swallowed and spat back out the waveforms. Even if the 360 peripheral is removed any USB audio devices plugged in after the fact will still sound corrupted until a fresh reboot without the 360 peripheral plugged in. I believe that the problem is somehow linked to the "generic root hub" driver, which hasn't been updated since 2001, thanks M$. The solution (pick one of 3): As long as the 360 peripheral is on it's own internal virtual root hub it will not interfere with other devices. You can force it to use another root hub by doing ONE of the following: 1) Fill up your usb ports with other devices till it shifts to using a secondary root hub, then plug in the 360 peripheral. This could take up to 10 USB things, depending on your motherboard and the maximum devices on each root hub. 2) Use an extra internal PCI-USB card for the 360 peripheral. 3) Use an extra external USB hub for the 360 peripheral. EASIEST NOTE: A reboot is usually required to clear up the driver's confusion.

03-21-2008, 07:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gunsnipe43 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP My System	Re: Xbox 360 Controller messes up sound on USB Headset Thanks man I even forgot I posted this, but I tried number 3 and now they work perfectly fine together, thanks a whole bunch.

02-28-2009, 11:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
sarrif93 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 OS: xp service pack 3	Re: Xbox 360 Controller messes up sound on USB Headset Hi, im having the same problem as this but instead im using the Guitar hero 3 controller that came with the game, i've been looking for a solution for quite some time now and i found this one but i dont exactly know what you are trying to explain