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Q: Are the A30 and A40 cables and accessories cross compatible?
A: Other than Speaker Tags, all Astro cables and accessories are cross compatible between the A40 and the A30. The Quick Disconnect Cables have a slightly different form factor between the A40 and A30 versions, but they all work seamlessly with each other if you opt to mix and match. Due to the different speaker can construction, Speaker Tags however are not interchangeable between headset models.
Q: Which mobile gaming platforms are compatible with the ASTRO A30? A: The A30 is designed to work out of the box with some of the most popular mobile gaming/phone devices on the market today. This includes, but is not limited to:
Q: ASTRO A30 is a Cross-Gaming Headset. What does Cross-Gaming mean? A: We believe that there are many gamers who love to play on their PS3s or Xbox 360s but also take their gaming outdoors. Every day, we see gamers on subways or buses playing their DS/PSPs or people who play on their laptops at coffee shops or on an airplane. The A30 Cross-Gaming headset is our answer. We’ve successfully created the greatest professional console gaming headset and transferred this DNA to a compact, sleeker, public-friendly design.
Q: How do I choose to use the inline mic or the boom mic for the ASTRO A30? A: Located on the cable attached to the A30 Headset, you will find an A/B switch on the side of the quick disconnect module. When you switch to A, it will turn on the boom-mic while B allows you to chat through the inline-mic.
Q: What cables does the standalone ASTRO A30 headset ship with? A: The A30 comes with a set of ASTRO Speaker Tags, a complimentary A30 Travel Case, and the following cables:
Q: How does the A30 headset perform compared to the A40 headset? A: The A30 is designed for use with multiple devices and different types of media including music, videos, and phone chat. Check out the comparison page on our website for more details by clicking on this link: http://www.astrogaming.com/products/3/Audio-Systems/
Q: What is the A40 Audio System? A: The A40 Audio System is a combination of an audiophile-grade headset and a powerful standalone mixer/amplifier. The A40 Headset itself is a finely-tuned piece of audio/communication equipment, with a removable noise-canceling boom mic, customizable speaker tags and a breakaway cord. The boom mic can be attached to either side of the headset, depending on your personal preference -- or it can be removed completely. The headset's high fidelity sound is far superior to any gaming headset on the market today and its versatility and style help to make it the best gaming headset on the market -- period. In addition to the A40 Headset, the system includes the A40 MixAmp. While it may look like a simple volume control, it will fast become the audio hub of your gaming lifestyle. We started with a multi-channel audio mixer, added a powerful headphone amplifier, then loaded it with an on board Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone processor -- just like you'd find in a high-end home theater receiver. In addition, when you link two or more A40 MixAmps together via their built-in daisy-chain connectors, you'll create an instant, private voice communication network. All of this functionality comes packaged in a portable, all-in-one design that you'll never want to game without once you've tried one.
Q: Can I use the A40 at home with Xbox Live? A: Yes -- at home you'll simply need to connect a small cable from your controller to the A40 MixAmp (it's included). All of your voice and game sounds will now be combined in your headset. Moms and Dads will love the A40 Audio System because it enables late night gaming without disturbing your loved ones. By the way, there is also an included adapter that lets you use any non-ASTRO branded headset with the A40 MixAmp.
Q: Can I plug the headset directly into my computer without the mixer? A: Yes -- the A40 Headset comes with an additional accessory cable that has the standard dual-jack (separate audio and mic connectors) that are commonly found on PC headsets. This cable also includes a volume and mute control pod. You won't get the benefits of using the A40 MixAmp, however. Pity.
Q: What is the standard connector on the headset? Can I use it with my iPod? A: Being that we are fussy about great design, we rolled the microphone and audio signals into one sleek 3.5mm connector. It'll even work with your music player.
Q: I see the A40 MixAmp has digital connectors, do you include a digital audio cable included with the system? A: Due to the high cost and variability of digital audio connections and cables, we can't include a solution that will work for everyone. Instead, we decided to splurge for both types of digital audio connectors (TOSlink and digital coaxial) on the A40 MixAmp, making it easier for you to find the right cable and get connected based on your personal setup.
Q: Exactly what accessory products come included with the A40 Audio System? A: You'll get everything you need to connect to your A40 Audio System to your Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, or PC: system audio cables, microphone cables, and an Xbox Live audio cable. In addition when you buy the complete A40 Audio System, you'll get a premium quality case with a custom-fitted interior to carry your Headset and MixAmp with style. Keep in mind that in order to connect the PS3's voice communication feature, you'll need to purchase the 'PS3 Mic Adapter' from our accessories page. This will enable full voice communication with all PS3 titles.
Q: How are the speaker tags held on? A: Four very small, very powerful magnets. (Neodymium -- strong stuff).
Q: When will other speaker tag designs become available? A: We are always desiging new tags and partnering with different artists to do various Artist Editions. We even have a "Tag Customizer" which allows you to design your own tags. Check out the Beta Tag Customizer here. Please note that custom tags are printed in California and you will be purchasing them from a separate shopping cart.
Q: What is the difference between the Standard A40, MLG, and other Editions of the A40? A: The only real difference between the different editions is the branding on the Speaker Tags. They are the exact same product otherwise. We are promoting the MLG edition because we are the Official Licensed Headset of the MLG and sell product at all MLG Pro Circuit events in the US. The other editions, like Upper Playground and Penny Arcade for example, represent partnerships with brands that we like whom we're looking to increase awareness of. The reason all these special editions cost a little bit more is that the custom Speaker Tags we make for them are much more expensive due to their low production volume and we're also sharing a portion of the revenue with the various partners.
Q: Will you guys be offering a wireless solution any time soon? A: That's the plan. But since we make professional, tournament-grade equipment, we need to develop a wireless solution that will stand up to the abuse of hundreds of simultaneous gamers in the same room -- a tall order. Once we have a solution to that, we'll cut the copper spaghetti-fest and we promise it will be backwards compatible with all the headsets that we've sold to date.
Q: How does Dolby Headphone work? A: Dolby Headphone is Dolby's solution for delivering 5.1 surround sound in any two-channel headphone. It's a way to get surround sound in a headphone without having to sacrifice sound quality by cramming 4 or 5 tiny speakers into one little headphone can. To read more about it check out Dolby's take on it: Dolby Headphone
Q: Will an ASTRO Audio System work on an HDMI setup/Xbox 360 Elite? A: There are a couple of different ways that you can connect ASTRO gear to an HDMI setup. The first is to take advantage of the audio output from your television. Most televisions should have either an analog RCA output(Red and White audio ports) or a TOSlink optical output. With the audio signal coming into your television through the HDMI cable, you will be using your television as a pass through device for the audio when using one of those outputs to connect to the MixAmp. Using the RCA output you will receive the Dolby Pro Logic Technology, and using the TOSlink optical output you will receive the Dolby Digital technology for surround sound processing.
Alternately, you can plug the optical cable directly into your system:
For the Xbox 360, you will need to use the HD AV adapter that Microsoft sells separately(http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hdmiavcable/) which will allow HDMI coming out of the Xbox to the television and add an optical port using the adapter in the back of the Xbox 360.
For the PS3, you can plug the optical cable directly into the optical out on the PS3 with the HDMI running into the television. You'll just want to make sure that your sound settings are set appropriately each time you are using the system depending on where you would like your outgoing sounds to be broadcast to.
Q: Which mobile gaming platforms are compatible with the ASTRO A30? A: The A30 is designed to work out of the box with some of the most popular mobile gaming/phone devices on the market today. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Apple iPhone (2G/3G)
- Blackberry and most smart phones
- PSP (Version 2000 and up)
- Nintendo DS (audio only
- microphone relies on the DS on-board mic)
- Laptops / PC
For more details, click on the link for the manual in the product page.
Q: ASTRO A30 is a Cross-Gaming Headset. What does Cross-Gaming mean? A: We believe that there are many gamers who love to play on their PS3s or Xbox 360s but also take their gaming outdoors. Every day, we see gamers on subways or buses playing their DS/PSPs or people who play on their laptops at coffee shops or on an airplane. The A30 Cross-Gaming headset is our answer. We’ve successfully created the greatest professional console gaming headset and transferred this DNA to a compact, sleeker, public-friendly design.
Q: How do I choose to use the inline mic or the boom mic for the ASTRO A30? A: Located on the cable attached to the A30 Headset, you will find an A/B switch on the side of the quick disconnect module. When you switch to A, it will turn on the boom-mic while B allows you to chat through the inline-mic.
Q: What cables does the standalone ASTRO A30 headset ship with? A: The A30 comes with a set of ASTRO Speaker Tags, a complimentary A30 Travel Case, and the following cables:
- 4-Pole Quick Disconnect Cable - Provides simple stereo 3.5mm connection for use with standard audio devices and the ASTRO MixAmp.
- PC Quick Disconnect Cable (with Volume Control) - Standard microphone and stereo audio jack to connect directly to PC.
- 4-Pole Mobile Quick Disconnect Cable (with Answer Button) - Shorter in length than the standard Quick Disconnect Cable for mobile devices.
Q: How does the A30 headset perform compared to the A40 headset? A: The A30 is designed for use with multiple devices and different types of media including music, videos, and phone chat. Check out the comparison page on our website for more details by clicking on this link: http://www.astrogaming.com/products/3/Audio-Systems/
Q: What is the A40 Audio System? A: The A40 Audio System is a combination of an audiophile-grade headset and a powerful standalone mixer/amplifier. The A40 Headset itself is a finely-tuned piece of audio/communication equipment, with a removable noise-canceling boom mic, customizable speaker tags and a breakaway cord. The boom mic can be attached to either side of the headset, depending on your personal preference -- or it can be removed completely. The headset's high fidelity sound is far superior to any gaming headset on the market today and its versatility and style help to make it the best gaming headset on the market -- period. In addition to the A40 Headset, the system includes the A40 MixAmp. While it may look like a simple volume control, it will fast become the audio hub of your gaming lifestyle. We started with a multi-channel audio mixer, added a powerful headphone amplifier, then loaded it with an on board Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone processor -- just like you'd find in a high-end home theater receiver. In addition, when you link two or more A40 MixAmps together via their built-in daisy-chain connectors, you'll create an instant, private voice communication network. All of this functionality comes packaged in a portable, all-in-one design that you'll never want to game without once you've tried one.
Q: Can I use the A40 at home with Xbox Live? A: Yes -- at home you'll simply need to connect a small cable from your controller to the A40 MixAmp (it's included). All of your voice and game sounds will now be combined in your headset. Moms and Dads will love the A40 Audio System because it enables late night gaming without disturbing your loved ones. By the way, there is also an included adapter that lets you use any non-ASTRO branded headset with the A40 MixAmp.
Q: Can I plug the headset directly into my computer without the mixer? A: Yes -- the A40 Headset comes with an additional accessory cable that has the standard dual-jack (separate audio and mic connectors) that are commonly found on PC headsets. This cable also includes a volume and mute control pod. You won't get the benefits of using the A40 MixAmp, however. Pity.
Q: What is the standard connector on the headset? Can I use it with my iPod? A: Being that we are fussy about great design, we rolled the microphone and audio signals into one sleek 3.5mm connector. It'll even work with your music player.
Q: I see the A40 MixAmp has digital connectors, do you include a digital audio cable included with the system? A: Due to the high cost and variability of digital audio connections and cables, we can't include a solution that will work for everyone. Instead, we decided to splurge for both types of digital audio connectors (TOSlink and digital coaxial) on the A40 MixAmp, making it easier for you to find the right cable and get connected based on your personal setup.
Q: Exactly what accessory products come included with the A40 Audio System? A: You'll get everything you need to connect to your A40 Audio System to your Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, or PC: system audio cables, microphone cables, and an Xbox Live audio cable. In addition when you buy the complete A40 Audio System, you'll get a premium quality case with a custom-fitted interior to carry your Headset and MixAmp with style. Keep in mind that in order to connect the PS3's voice communication feature, you'll need to purchase the 'PS3 Mic Adapter' from our accessories page. This will enable full voice communication with all PS3 titles.
Q: How are the speaker tags held on? A: Four very small, very powerful magnets. (Neodymium -- strong stuff).
Q: When will other speaker tag designs become available? A: We are always desiging new tags and partnering with different artists to do various Artist Editions. We even have a "Tag Customizer" which allows you to design your own tags. Check out the Beta Tag Customizer here. Please note that custom tags are printed in California and you will be purchasing them from a separate shopping cart.
Q: What is the difference between the Standard A40, MLG, and other Editions of the A40? A: The only real difference between the different editions is the branding on the Speaker Tags. They are the exact same product otherwise. We are promoting the MLG edition because we are the Official Licensed Headset of the MLG and sell product at all MLG Pro Circuit events in the US. The other editions, like Upper Playground and Penny Arcade for example, represent partnerships with brands that we like whom we're looking to increase awareness of. The reason all these special editions cost a little bit more is that the custom Speaker Tags we make for them are much more expensive due to their low production volume and we're also sharing a portion of the revenue with the various partners.
Q: Will you guys be offering a wireless solution any time soon? A: That's the plan. But since we make professional, tournament-grade equipment, we need to develop a wireless solution that will stand up to the abuse of hundreds of simultaneous gamers in the same room -- a tall order. Once we have a solution to that, we'll cut the copper spaghetti-fest and we promise it will be backwards compatible with all the headsets that we've sold to date.
Q: How does Dolby Headphone work? A: Dolby Headphone is Dolby's solution for delivering 5.1 surround sound in any two-channel headphone. It's a way to get surround sound in a headphone without having to sacrifice sound quality by cramming 4 or 5 tiny speakers into one little headphone can. To read more about it check out Dolby's take on it: Dolby Headphone
Q: Will an ASTRO Audio System work on an HDMI setup/Xbox 360 Elite? A: There are a couple of different ways that you can connect ASTRO gear to an HDMI setup. The first is to take advantage of the audio output from your television. Most televisions should have either an analog RCA output(Red and White audio ports) or a TOSlink optical output. With the audio signal coming into your television through the HDMI cable, you will be using your television as a pass through device for the audio when using one of those outputs to connect to the MixAmp. Using the RCA output you will receive the Dolby Pro Logic Technology, and using the TOSlink optical output you will receive the Dolby Digital technology for surround sound processing.
Alternately, you can plug the optical cable directly into your system:
For the Xbox 360, you will need to use the HD AV adapter that Microsoft sells separately(http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hdmiavcable/) which will allow HDMI coming out of the Xbox to the television and add an optical port using the adapter in the back of the Xbox 360.
For the PS3, you can plug the optical cable directly into the optical out on the PS3 with the HDMI running into the television. You'll just want to make sure that your sound settings are set appropriately each time you are using the system depending on where you would like your outgoing sounds to be broadcast to.
Ordering
Q: When will you be shipping product from Europe? When will I get it?
A: We are currently shipping all European orders out of our UK-based warehouse within one business day from when the order is submitted. To ensure that your order is shipped on the same day of the order, orders must be submitted by 12pm Greenwich Mean Time time Monday-Friday. We ship via UPS out of the UK, which means that almost all UK orders placed before 1pm will be received by the following business day. Shipments to continental Europe have slightly longer transit times but standard shipping should result in no longer than 3-4 days of delivery time throughout Europe.
Q: What does the "Limited Edition" refer to? A: The first 500 headsets we produced were individually numbered, and they've got an A40LE marking on the headband in addition to a couple other cosmetic identifiers. These have long since sold out and we are now selling standard A40 headsets. Functionally the standard headsets are identical to the LE ones, and aesthetically some folks even like the standard ones better. So there's not a big difference really, only that the numbered ones might be worth a lot more on eBay some day down the road...
Q: How much will it cost to ship to...? A: Rates vary depending on location and service selected. All orders received from Europe will be shipped from our warehouse facility in the UK. Standard UPS rates will apply and will vary significantly depending on country and level of service selected.
Q: What does the "Limited Edition" refer to? A: The first 500 headsets we produced were individually numbered, and they've got an A40LE marking on the headband in addition to a couple other cosmetic identifiers. These have long since sold out and we are now selling standard A40 headsets. Functionally the standard headsets are identical to the LE ones, and aesthetically some folks even like the standard ones better. So there's not a big difference really, only that the numbered ones might be worth a lot more on eBay some day down the road...
Q: How much will it cost to ship to...? A: Rates vary depending on location and service selected. All orders received from Europe will be shipped from our warehouse facility in the UK. Standard UPS rates will apply and will vary significantly depending on country and level of service selected.
General
Q: Why do I need an audio mixer?
A: Console gamers at home will use the A40 MixAmp to seamlessly blend voice communication with game sounds into a single stereo headset. No longer do you need to cobble together a mono voice-communication headset with stereo headphones to enjoy a private gaming experience. The A40 MixAmp channels both game sounds and voice-communication into one headset. With Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone on board, you'll also enjoy the full benefits of highly accurate spatial reproduction that will equal your full 6-channel home theater speaker system.
For tournament play, the A40 MixAmp creates a private voice LAN with each players' individual game sounds mixed with their team's private chat. Anyone who's gamed in a team tournament setting knows how critical communication is and the difficulty of being heard by your teammates when you've got hundreds of gamers screaming and yelling during a tournament. The A40 MixAmp was designed from the ground up to solve this problem.
Q: I'm a PC gamer; what does the A40 MixAmp do for me? A: To be honest, we originally developed the A40 MixAmp to give console gamers something that PC gamers have had all along -- unified voice and game sound. But being PC gamers, we quickly discovered that the A40 MixAmp gave us something we loved as PC gamers as well: dedicated, separate hardware for our music and voice communication. Much like discrete graphics, audio, or physics hardware free up CPU cycles and make our games run faster, offloading communication and music duties to the A40 made our games run faster and easier as well. No more Alt-Tabbing to change volume or tracks on the RAM-tastic iTunes -- we simply plugged in our mp3 players into the A40 and controlled everything at arm's length without interrupting our games. And with daisy-chained A40 MixAmps, we had a private, high-quality, full-duplex voice channel without fiddling with complicated and finicky software. Combine all that with the audiophile-grade headphone amplifier and we were instantly hooked.
Q: How many mixers can be daisy-chained? A: Theoretically, as many as you'd like -- but remember that with the more people on the same channel, the more difficult it is getting a word in edgewise. We've found that eight players is about the most we'd want on at one time -- while four or five seems ideal.
Q: Do you sell anywhere other than on your website? A: Yes, although mostly only in the US as operate retail booths at various events and tradeshows that we attend, including the Penny Arcade Expo, and all the Major League Gaming events. At these events we carry nearly all of the products available for purchase on our website. Stay tuned for announcements about future marketing partnerships in Europe!
Q: Why don't you sell through any traditional retail stores? A: By offering our products directly to end consumers we can offer much higher quality and more features at a far lower price. Virtually any product sold at retail incurs a huge price increase to the end customer. By cutting out the middle-man and going direct, you'll end up paying far less than you would at retail. If we were to sell the A40 Audio System at a retail store the price tag would be double what it is now, if not higher. In addition, we're striving to make customization a hallmark of our products. That is not easy to offer at retail, but on our website you will be able to dial in the exact color and speaker tag combination that you want -- instead of the like it or leave it way you'd have to buy it at retail.
Q: I'm a pro/hardcore gamer and I have an idea for a [insert gaming widget idea here] that will help me dominate my tournaments and enhance my game play. Would ASTRO Gaming be interested in talking to me? A: We are always interested in talking to people that want to improve their gaming experience. Drop us a line at info@astrogaming.com.
Q: Is there an owners manual I can read through before purchasing? A: For sure: go back up to the top of this section where it says 'FAQ/Manuals' and hit Manuals. This will enable you to download any manual you'd like to read from any and/or all of our products.
For tournament play, the A40 MixAmp creates a private voice LAN with each players' individual game sounds mixed with their team's private chat. Anyone who's gamed in a team tournament setting knows how critical communication is and the difficulty of being heard by your teammates when you've got hundreds of gamers screaming and yelling during a tournament. The A40 MixAmp was designed from the ground up to solve this problem.
Q: I'm a PC gamer; what does the A40 MixAmp do for me? A: To be honest, we originally developed the A40 MixAmp to give console gamers something that PC gamers have had all along -- unified voice and game sound. But being PC gamers, we quickly discovered that the A40 MixAmp gave us something we loved as PC gamers as well: dedicated, separate hardware for our music and voice communication. Much like discrete graphics, audio, or physics hardware free up CPU cycles and make our games run faster, offloading communication and music duties to the A40 made our games run faster and easier as well. No more Alt-Tabbing to change volume or tracks on the RAM-tastic iTunes -- we simply plugged in our mp3 players into the A40 and controlled everything at arm's length without interrupting our games. And with daisy-chained A40 MixAmps, we had a private, high-quality, full-duplex voice channel without fiddling with complicated and finicky software. Combine all that with the audiophile-grade headphone amplifier and we were instantly hooked.
Q: How many mixers can be daisy-chained? A: Theoretically, as many as you'd like -- but remember that with the more people on the same channel, the more difficult it is getting a word in edgewise. We've found that eight players is about the most we'd want on at one time -- while four or five seems ideal.
Q: Do you sell anywhere other than on your website? A: Yes, although mostly only in the US as operate retail booths at various events and tradeshows that we attend, including the Penny Arcade Expo, and all the Major League Gaming events. At these events we carry nearly all of the products available for purchase on our website. Stay tuned for announcements about future marketing partnerships in Europe!
Q: Why don't you sell through any traditional retail stores? A: By offering our products directly to end consumers we can offer much higher quality and more features at a far lower price. Virtually any product sold at retail incurs a huge price increase to the end customer. By cutting out the middle-man and going direct, you'll end up paying far less than you would at retail. If we were to sell the A40 Audio System at a retail store the price tag would be double what it is now, if not higher. In addition, we're striving to make customization a hallmark of our products. That is not easy to offer at retail, but on our website you will be able to dial in the exact color and speaker tag combination that you want -- instead of the like it or leave it way you'd have to buy it at retail.
Q: I'm a pro/hardcore gamer and I have an idea for a [insert gaming widget idea here] that will help me dominate my tournaments and enhance my game play. Would ASTRO Gaming be interested in talking to me? A: We are always interested in talking to people that want to improve their gaming experience. Drop us a line at info@astrogaming.com.
Q: Is there an owners manual I can read through before purchasing? A: For sure: go back up to the top of this section where it says 'FAQ/Manuals' and hit Manuals. This will enable you to download any manual you'd like to read from any and/or all of our products.
Warranty / Customer Service
Q: What if I just don't like it? Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
A: We'll give you 15 days from receipt to decide if you like the system or not. Within the 15 days window, you can return the product with next to no questions asked. Contact ASTRO Gaming support for RMA instructions if you would like to return your product for a refund.
Q: What is your warranty policy? A: All our products carry a one-year warranty on defective parts or faulty workmanship. The warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, lightning, power surges, other acts of nature/god(s)/Flying Spaghetti Monster, or unauthorized product modification or repairs.
Q: What is your warranty policy? A: All our products carry a one-year warranty on defective parts or faulty workmanship. The warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, lightning, power surges, other acts of nature/god(s)/Flying Spaghetti Monster, or unauthorized product modification or repairs.
Problems with your Headset or MixAmp?
Q: I hear a very slight popping from my MixAmp every few seconds if my game is quiet -- is there any way to fix this?
A: Yes -- this quiet popping can be easily fixed if it bothers you. If you can hear it, simply put four AA batteries in the tray of the MixAmp and this will go away instantly. The batteries don't need to power the A40 MixAmp, and you can still use the included USB cable for power. The USB power will override the batteries in the tray as long as the cable is connected (and receiving power).
This clicking is a voltage detection of the rechargeable battery feature. If a battery is present, the circuit stops functioning.
Q: My mic output seems to be spotty, full of static, or accompanied by a background hum or other interference on Xbox Live when I talk. A: There are a few possibilities as to why this may be occurring. The most likely culprit is the 2.5mm cable connected to your controller. Please make sure the connectors are wiped clean of any dust or residue -- many of these connectors had residue left on them from the molding process which can create a poor connection. Also, please be sure that your boom mic is fully inserted into place and that the red Daisy Chain connector on the MixAmp is either fully inserted or totally removed. It wouldn't hurt to pull it out and FIRMLY push it all the way back in -- making sure that the connector isn't upside down (the ASTRO logo should be right-side up when the MixAmp is resting on a flat surface).
One final troubleshoot is to replace the Quick Disconnect cable with the Dual-Jack Quick Disconnect (the PC cable) and attach it to your MixAmp with the Y-adapter. If this final step solves the problem then the issue is within your Quick Disconnect cable -- please contact us for a warranty replacement. If nothing works, email us and we'll get to the bottom of it with you!
Q: When I'm on Xbox Live, my controller misfires and twitches randomly. Is this due to the A40 Audio System? A: This glitch isn't due to the A40 Audio System itself, but it's simply a defect in the wired controller for the Xbox 360. An overvoltage occurs when the mic is blown into or gets a *very* loud signal, that causes the player aim to go up and to the right. Sometimes the gun fires, and for Southpaws, a grenade will be thrown... usually at inopportune moments.
There are a couple of workarounds to this. First is to switch to a wireless controller, or a wireless controller with a Play and Charge cable attached if you wish. The voice comm is now wireless (even with the Play and Charge kit) alleviating the problem.
If you'd like to continue to use a wired controller, you'll have to lower your incoming voice level -- this prevents overvoltage from reaching the controller through the Xbox 360 software layer. To do this, hit the Guide Button > Personal Settings > Voice, and lower the incoming voice "Volume" from 10 (default) down to at least 4. At level 4, you'll still get a few anomalies with the loudest incoming sounds, but it's really very rare. At level 3, the problems go away 100%.
Recheck this setting every once in a while -- there seems to be some kind of bug where it'll get reset to the default 10 every so often.
Fortunately for users of the A40 Audio System, you can simply adjust your communication levels by using the balance control knob on the A40 MixAmp. Keep in mind you'll probably need to raise the master Volume to get back to where your overall levels were before.
This clicking is a voltage detection of the rechargeable battery feature. If a battery is present, the circuit stops functioning.
Q: My mic output seems to be spotty, full of static, or accompanied by a background hum or other interference on Xbox Live when I talk. A: There are a few possibilities as to why this may be occurring. The most likely culprit is the 2.5mm cable connected to your controller. Please make sure the connectors are wiped clean of any dust or residue -- many of these connectors had residue left on them from the molding process which can create a poor connection. Also, please be sure that your boom mic is fully inserted into place and that the red Daisy Chain connector on the MixAmp is either fully inserted or totally removed. It wouldn't hurt to pull it out and FIRMLY push it all the way back in -- making sure that the connector isn't upside down (the ASTRO logo should be right-side up when the MixAmp is resting on a flat surface).
One final troubleshoot is to replace the Quick Disconnect cable with the Dual-Jack Quick Disconnect (the PC cable) and attach it to your MixAmp with the Y-adapter. If this final step solves the problem then the issue is within your Quick Disconnect cable -- please contact us for a warranty replacement. If nothing works, email us and we'll get to the bottom of it with you!
Q: When I'm on Xbox Live, my controller misfires and twitches randomly. Is this due to the A40 Audio System? A: This glitch isn't due to the A40 Audio System itself, but it's simply a defect in the wired controller for the Xbox 360. An overvoltage occurs when the mic is blown into or gets a *very* loud signal, that causes the player aim to go up and to the right. Sometimes the gun fires, and for Southpaws, a grenade will be thrown... usually at inopportune moments.
There are a couple of workarounds to this. First is to switch to a wireless controller, or a wireless controller with a Play and Charge cable attached if you wish. The voice comm is now wireless (even with the Play and Charge kit) alleviating the problem.
If you'd like to continue to use a wired controller, you'll have to lower your incoming voice level -- this prevents overvoltage from reaching the controller through the Xbox 360 software layer. To do this, hit the Guide Button > Personal Settings > Voice, and lower the incoming voice "Volume" from 10 (default) down to at least 4. At level 4, you'll still get a few anomalies with the loudest incoming sounds, but it's really very rare. At level 3, the problems go away 100%.
Recheck this setting every once in a while -- there seems to be some kind of bug where it'll get reset to the default 10 every so often.
Fortunately for users of the A40 Audio System, you can simply adjust your communication levels by using the balance control knob on the A40 MixAmp. Keep in mind you'll probably need to raise the master Volume to get back to where your overall levels were before.
Product Registration
Q: How do I register my product for future warranty service?
A: All product purchased directly from Astro Gaming comes with an automatic 1-year warranty on defective parts or faulty workmanship. No registration is required. That being said, if you register your product with us here we will be able to provide you with even better customer service *and* we'll cover your shipping in both directions if a repair is needed for domestic customers. Furthermore, if you purchased one of our products from a retailer other than Astro Gaming, you'll need to register it with us otherwise we'll have no idea who you are when you call.
Q: Can I purchase an extended warranty? A: Yes you can. We're now offering a 1 year extended warranty (giving you two years of total coverage). Just click on this link to register your product and click on the option to purchase an extended warranty.
Q: If I've already registered my product how do i log in to view my registration account? A: Just click this link and you'll be at the login screen.
Q: Can I purchase an extended warranty? A: Yes you can. We're now offering a 1 year extended warranty (giving you two years of total coverage). Just click on this link to register your product and click on the option to purchase an extended warranty.
Q: If I've already registered my product how do i log in to view my registration account? A: Just click this link and you'll be at the login screen.
Sponsorship / Partnerships
Q: How do I get sponsored by you guys?
A: We don't give direct sponsorships to any teams or individuals.
Instead, we offer accommodation rates on our products to all contracted MLG professionals. If you are already a contracted pro, contact the MLG for your discount code if you'd like to start using the A40 Audio System. In 2009, all MLG Pro Circuit Xbox 360 gaming stations will be pre-populated with an ASTRO Pro Rack (and four fully-connected A40 MixAmps with TOSlink digital audio) -- all you'll need to do is connect the A40 Headset for full team voice connectivity and Dolby Headphone game surround.
Please sign up for email updates if you'd like to know about and additional pro deals we'll have in the coming year.
Q: Who do you currently sponsor? A: We don't sponsor gaming teams. Instead, we partner with top pro teams to help us beta test and prove out new products and prototypes. This ensures that our product development dollars are focused on bringing the highest quality, best designed products to every gamer--not just a select few. Over the past few years we have worked with Str8 Rippin', Carbon, Legendz and Nice Like Rice during the 2006 and 2007 gaming seasons. Str8 Rippin' took down several top 3 finishes at the MLG as well as a first place finish at the WSVG using our prototypes while Carbon managed an impressive first place finish over their rivals Final Boss in July 2007 using ASTRO beta gear. After a brief hiatus in 2007, the MLG honored the ASTRO A40 Audio System by making it the official audio gear of the Pro Circuit. During the last three tournament stops in '08, the A40 Audio System was used by all of the top three finishers in each of the Halo 3, Rainbow Six:Vegas, and Gears of War tournaments. As a result of the competitive advantages the A40 offers (and the staggering success of the teams using it), 100% of the championship field at the 2008 Las Vegas MLG finals deployed the ASTRO A40 Audio System--with Str8 Rippin' taking down the $100,000 purse in the Halo 3 championship. After the success of the 2008 MLG season, the A40 Audio System will remain official gear for 2009. We'll be testing new products for 2009 with selected professionals. Interested in being an ASTRO beta tester? Don't call us, we'll call you.
Q: What is your relationship with Major League Gaming (MLG)? A: The MLG was nice enough to allow teams to test out our prototype systems during live play during the 2006 and 2007 Pro Circuit Championship seasons. The response amongst the testers was awesome (in addition to our teams taking several top 3 finishes with beta units). ASTRO Gaming has been providing Major League Gaming equipment for the Pro Circuit since the beginning of the 2008 season. The A40 Audio System is the official headset of the MLG, and players can purchase a special MLG edition of the A40 Audio System complete with custom MLG Speaker Tags, in addition to special limited run Speaker Tags at each live event location. In addition to the wearable hardware, each gaming station at MLG events will have an ASTRO Pro Rack that will be pre-populated with four MixAmps. A40 Audio System owners need only sit down and plug in their A40 Headsets in order to be fully connected with Dolby Digital game sound and high-quality, zero latency voice chat.
Q: Our company would love to partner with ASTRO and have our [awesome gaming-related intellectual property] put onto your speaker tags. We have a big bag of money just sitting here. Who should we contact? A: Drop us a line at: partnerships@astrogaming.com. (sorry, but if your name is Uwe Boll we can't help you).
Q: I run a private tournament and would love to use ASTRO Gaming equipment -- what is the process for getting ASTRO gear for my event? A: We might be able to help you -- largely based on product availability. Contact us at: partnerships@astrogaming.com
Q: Who do you currently sponsor? A: We don't sponsor gaming teams. Instead, we partner with top pro teams to help us beta test and prove out new products and prototypes. This ensures that our product development dollars are focused on bringing the highest quality, best designed products to every gamer--not just a select few. Over the past few years we have worked with Str8 Rippin', Carbon, Legendz and Nice Like Rice during the 2006 and 2007 gaming seasons. Str8 Rippin' took down several top 3 finishes at the MLG as well as a first place finish at the WSVG using our prototypes while Carbon managed an impressive first place finish over their rivals Final Boss in July 2007 using ASTRO beta gear. After a brief hiatus in 2007, the MLG honored the ASTRO A40 Audio System by making it the official audio gear of the Pro Circuit. During the last three tournament stops in '08, the A40 Audio System was used by all of the top three finishers in each of the Halo 3, Rainbow Six:Vegas, and Gears of War tournaments. As a result of the competitive advantages the A40 offers (and the staggering success of the teams using it), 100% of the championship field at the 2008 Las Vegas MLG finals deployed the ASTRO A40 Audio System--with Str8 Rippin' taking down the $100,000 purse in the Halo 3 championship. After the success of the 2008 MLG season, the A40 Audio System will remain official gear for 2009. We'll be testing new products for 2009 with selected professionals. Interested in being an ASTRO beta tester? Don't call us, we'll call you.
Q: What is your relationship with Major League Gaming (MLG)? A: The MLG was nice enough to allow teams to test out our prototype systems during live play during the 2006 and 2007 Pro Circuit Championship seasons. The response amongst the testers was awesome (in addition to our teams taking several top 3 finishes with beta units). ASTRO Gaming has been providing Major League Gaming equipment for the Pro Circuit since the beginning of the 2008 season. The A40 Audio System is the official headset of the MLG, and players can purchase a special MLG edition of the A40 Audio System complete with custom MLG Speaker Tags, in addition to special limited run Speaker Tags at each live event location. In addition to the wearable hardware, each gaming station at MLG events will have an ASTRO Pro Rack that will be pre-populated with four MixAmps. A40 Audio System owners need only sit down and plug in their A40 Headsets in order to be fully connected with Dolby Digital game sound and high-quality, zero latency voice chat.
Q: Our company would love to partner with ASTRO and have our [awesome gaming-related intellectual property] put onto your speaker tags. We have a big bag of money just sitting here. Who should we contact? A: Drop us a line at: partnerships@astrogaming.com. (sorry, but if your name is Uwe Boll we can't help you).
Q: I run a private tournament and would love to use ASTRO Gaming equipment -- what is the process for getting ASTRO gear for my event? A: We might be able to help you -- largely based on product availability. Contact us at: partnerships@astrogaming.com