Is there a USB-C to 3,5mm Audio Jack Cable???

[AnnaChino]

Hi everyone!

I am trying to connect my USB-C headphones to my Zoom H1n (3,5mm Audio Jack). However, I can't for the life of me find the right cable. Could you tell me how I can connect my headphones to my Zoom H1n? Is there a cable that I haven't found? Do I need a special adapter?

I would be very grateful for any help! Thank you very much in advane,
Anna

[tomas]

Hi & welcome to the forums!

What make and model of USB-C headphones do you have? Many of them have 3.5mm inputs on the side of one can, and some offer Bluetooth as an option. However, it may well be that your most economical solution is to get another pair of headphones.

[Drew Stephenson]

As tomas says, a bit more information would help.
But fundamentally it sounds like you're trying to connect an analogue output to a digital input. That's going to require some kind of conversion either as a standalone box or with a special cable that has a converter built in.
EDIT: Something like this but in reverse: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphone-Adap ... 7481&psc=1

[AnnaChino]

@ Drew That is essentially what I'm looking for...

(I don't know if my reply went through, but I'm using plain but incredibly beautiful Huawei cable headphones, no bluetooth or anything)

[AnnaChino]

Hi & welcome to the forums!

What make and model of USB-C headphones do you have? Many of them have 3.5mm inputs on the side of one can, and some offer Bluetooth as an option. However, it may well be that your most economical solution is to get another pair of headphones.

Hi and thank you! I am using plain Huawei cable phones and I'm in love with the warm, round sound. I don't have the financial means to get regular headphones, they hurt as I wear glasses. So I'd love to just find a connecting cable and Bob's my uncle

[Arpangel]

As tomas says, a bit more information would help.
But fundamentally it sounds like you're trying to connect an analogue output to a digital input. That's going to require some kind of conversion either as a standalone box or with a special cable that has a converter built in.
EDIT: Something like this but in reverse: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphone-Adap ... 7481&psc=1

His headphones are USB C out, so that’s digital? I’ve got a USB male to 3.5 male, he needs that lead with a female USB C on the other end, and yes, there doesn’t seem to be any! maybe as you say, there’s digital "going’s on" that needs addressing.

[Drew Stephenson]

@ Drew That is essentially what I'm looking for...

(I don't know if my reply went through, but I'm using plain but incredibly beautiful Huawei cable headphones, no bluetooth or anything)

The only thing I can find that seem to do the conversion both ways are similar cables designed for phones, where you have a microphone and headphone socket split out. Things like this: https://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-c4/usb-conv ... e0QAvD_BwE

There are a couple of problems though:
1) the output from your Zoom H1 is stereo and this is a mono input, so you'll only hear it through one ear.
2) the audio quality might not be great as the signal level of the output isn't what the mic input will be expecting.

Depending on what you need to use it for (if you're just confirming that you've got a signal and it's audible / understandable), that might be ok?

[AnnaChino]

So basically, I found the only cable combination in the entire world that nobody produces?

I've been doing quite a bit of field recording with my Zoom H1n. Usually I record with my camera, hit record on my Zoom as well and then watch/listen to everything back at home. Recently I've found a YT video that had a different settings hack that I now want to try this on my Zoom as well. So I thought, just attach my headphones and go. Appearantly, now I need to go down the rabbit hole of finding adaquate new heaphones, put money aside for them and deal with the headache that comes from wearing them on top of my glasses.... *sigh

I have no idea how to find good headphones... do you have any advice for me? Like what I need to look out for at least?

[AnnaChino]

Hang on, I have one more question: could I do this:

a cable that's audio jack on one side and usb-c on the other
then
find an adapter with 2 female usb-c openings
and connect this cable and my headphones via a female adapter in the middle?

[James Perrett]

If I understand correctly then you have something like these

https://www.mobilefun.co.uk/official-hu ... hite-67591

In which case there is no way to use them with your Zoom H1 unless you put a computer of some kind in between the Zoom H1 and the headphones. It may be possible to use both of them with your phone by plugging in a USB-C hub like the one at

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Multipo ... ref=sr_1_5

but it would take a bit of faffing around and there is no guarantee that it would work. It would be much better to buy a pair of normal analogue headphones.

[AnnaChino]

* sigh, ok, new headphones then.

got any tips for headphone criteria for me?

[James Perrett]

Personally I tend to go for Sennheiser or Beyerdynamic headphones. That's mainly because they were the only brands that lasted any length of time in our old studio. They also make good sounding headphones.

For recording on location the Sennheiser HD25s are the industry standard although I find that they aren't very comfortable when wearing glasses. The HD600s or 650s are much more comfortable but also expensive and are open back. Closed back headphones are better for location recording because they are better at isolating you from external sounds. If you are on a budget then I'd suggest the cheapest Sennheiser closed back headphones. I'm not sure what the current model is but I've used their older budget models and they've been fine. They feel a bit less solid than the more expensive ones and the sound isn't quite as refined but they do the job.

[Sam Spoons]

What about these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195904691801 ... R8ruyPm0Yg

'Proper' headphones would be better but these are an analogue version of what you have and sound ok.

[tomas]

Hang on, I have one more question: could I do this:

a cable that's audio jack on one side and usb-c on the other
then
find an adapter with 2 female usb-c openings
and connect this cable and my headphones via a female adapter in the middle?

You would need more than an adapter, as you’d also have to convert the analogue signal from the 3.5mm output jack on the Zoom H1n to a digital format that is supported on the USB-C input side of your headphones. That’s an ADC (analogue to digital converter), also known as an audio interface, and a computer is then also needed for it to work properly…

The USB port on your H1n is perhaps a better option. You could use a mobile phone in place of a computer, but then you need a USB hub and I have no idea if it all could work…

Back to my original suggestion that it makes best sense to use headphones with a 3.5mm jack here. If you insist on using in-ear phones, I recommend that you find a pair with soft rings that go into the ears, to reduce the amount of sound that “bleeds” both into your ears and also out from the headphones and into the Zoom microphones (which may cause nasty feedback!).

https://www.tradeinn.com/techinn/en/son ... 38595554/p

[Drew Stephenson]

I like the budget AKG K series closed back headphones personally. The K52 and 72 are a good balance of quality and price in my experience.

[AnnaChino]

I want to thank you all for taking the time to reply and sharing your knowledge. It wasn't the outcome I had hoped for, but at least I know what to do now and which products to research

Thank you again and have a lovely day everyone,
Anna

(thread can be closed)

[Arpangel]

Just a footnote, I’ve got the Sennheiser HD25’s and 600’s if you’re into music that has a lot of bass the 25’s are great for that, they have an accentuated bass, but it’s good. I bought them for field recording, and discovered they have great bass, they are also favoured by DJ's
The 600’s are still one of my fave phones for anything that requires a neutral sound, they are very flat, great for mastering if you have to, on phones.
The 650’s I tried, but didn’t buy them, IMO they have a slight emphasis on the top end, and didn’t sound as natural as the 600’s to my ears.

[shufflebeat]

Backing up slightly:

Would so be right in thinking these earphones are generally for use with a smart-phone? If this is the case then the inclusion of a USB-C connector might be a matter of convenience for the manufacturer rather than evidence that the signal is digital.

For the price of the USB-TRS 3.5mm adaptor mentioned before by Drew and a 3.5-3.5 “aux” lead I reckon it’s worth a try.

I may be missing something but I don’t see any mention of a digital input on the sales literature.

[Drew Stephenson]

Those USB to 3.5mm adapters have a DAC and ADC in them. USB is a digital only format. It could be worth a go if you were really just doing a 'signal present' check but you can buy a set of headphones for a not dissimilar price and get stereo and the right level.

[jimjazzdad]

Audio Technica produces a line of closed back headphones from inexpensive to high end that are often seen in studios (e.g. the ATH M20x for $50-60 to ATH M70x at $400+) In addition to these and James Perrett's recommendations also check out AKG, Sony and Shure. Avoid Beats, Dr. Dre and brands that are "all about the bass"; look for headphones that have a natural, balanced sound. I'm pretty sure that once you audition a few good headpones, you won't regret leaving your Huawei buds in the drawer.

[ajay_m]

Well, there is another way. The actual signal cable up to the earbuds is presumably just a standard stereo pair with the conversion digital to analogue logic down in the little USB-C plug itself.
So I would have thought that cutting off the plug and then wiring up to a standard TRS 3.5mm male plug will revert the headphones to analogue.
Now you CAN purchase (cheaply) USB-C to 3.5mm female adaptors, thus regaining the original USB-C digital connectivity but now permitting you to connect to either an analogue or digital source. (or you could just leave enough free cable at the plug end when you do a 'plugectomy' to wire up a female 3.5mm jack there, I'd have thought)

Caveat: this is an operation that may not end well for the patient. That said if these are just stock Huawei earbuds they can hardly be worth very much.

[shufflebeat]

USB is a digital only format.

Except all my phones, Android and iTings have USB-3.5mm adaptors for all my non-digi headphones.

[Drew Stephenson]

USB is a digital only format.

Except all my phones, Android and iTings have USB-3.5mm adaptors for all my non-digi headphones.

And those adaptors will have a DAC in them. Or a very tiny man transcribing the ones and zeros to sheet music for an even tinier orchestra to play.

[shufflebeat]

USB is a digital only format.

Except all my phones, Android and iTings have USB-3.5mm adaptors for all my non-digi headphones.

And those adaptors will have a DAC in them. Or a very tiny man transcribing the ones and zeros to sheet music for an even tinier orchestra to play.

No way!!!

A tiny guy?

[Drew Stephenson]

Very tiny! And, let's be honest, very well trained.