Problems with your Headset or MixAmp?
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: 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 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: 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 MixAmp. Keep in mind you'll probably need to raise the master Volume to get back to where your overall levels were before.
Q: My headset has developed cracks in the plastic headband, what should I do? A: This problem is only inherent to the first batch of Limited Edition headsets shipped out back in December 2007 and January 2008. There was a production problem resulting in headbands that become overly brittle over time. We believe that this will eventually affect the majority of our LIMITED EDITION customers, and will offer 100% of these customers a brand new headset free of charge, for the lifetime of the product. If you should start to see cracks in your headband let us know - shoot an email to support@astrogaming.com. We'll get you going on the replacement program.
Q: Can I repair my Astro product on my own? A: Your warranty is void if you attempt any repairs or modifications of your Astro headset/MixAmp on your own. ASTRO is not responsible for repairing/replacing any damaged items caused by repairs not made by authorized specialists.
Q: If I get my headset repaired, how does that affect my warranty? A: If you send in a Astro Headset or MixAmp to be repaired/replaced, your original 1 year warranty stays in place. The 1 year warranty is not “reset” when you get it repaired/replaced. The term of your warranty is 1-year is from the time of purchase, and all Astro warranty claims require proof of purchase in order to replace/repair your product.
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: 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 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: 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 MixAmp. Keep in mind you'll probably need to raise the master Volume to get back to where your overall levels were before.
Q: My headset has developed cracks in the plastic headband, what should I do? A: This problem is only inherent to the first batch of Limited Edition headsets shipped out back in December 2007 and January 2008. There was a production problem resulting in headbands that become overly brittle over time. We believe that this will eventually affect the majority of our LIMITED EDITION customers, and will offer 100% of these customers a brand new headset free of charge, for the lifetime of the product. If you should start to see cracks in your headband let us know - shoot an email to support@astrogaming.com. We'll get you going on the replacement program.
Q: Can I repair my Astro product on my own? A: Your warranty is void if you attempt any repairs or modifications of your Astro headset/MixAmp on your own. ASTRO is not responsible for repairing/replacing any damaged items caused by repairs not made by authorized specialists.
Q: If I get my headset repaired, how does that affect my warranty? A: If you send in a Astro Headset or MixAmp to be repaired/replaced, your original 1 year warranty stays in place. The 1 year warranty is not “reset” when you get it repaired/replaced. The term of your warranty is 1-year is from the time of purchase, and all Astro warranty claims require proof of purchase in order to replace/repair your product.
Product Registration / Warranty
Q: What is your warranty policy? A: All of our products carry a one-year warranty on defective parts or faulty workmanship during the manufacturing process. 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.
International customers(outside of the United States) are responsible for any shipping costs on items sent in for warranty evaluation/repair. The costs of warranty work and standard return shipping to our customers are included in the coverage of the warranty.
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.
International customers(outside of the United States) are responsible for any shipping costs on items sent in for warranty evaluation/repair. The costs of warranty work and standard return shipping to our customers are included in the coverage of the warranty.
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.
ASTRO at the MLG
Q: What is the ASTRO Gaming PRO/Rack? A: In 2009, all MLG Pro Circuit Xbox 360 gaming stations will be pre-populated with the ASTRO PRO/Rack (and four fully-connected MixAmps with TOSlink digital audio) -- all that players need to do is connect the A40 Headset for full team voice connectivity and Dolby Headphone game surround.
Q: What do I need to bring to the tournament if I'm a team coach? A: If you are a coach, and your team is competing in the Open Bracket, you'll need to bring your own headset, MixAmp, 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable, and 4xAA batteries to power your MixAmp. Simply plug into one of the 3.5mm ports on either side of the PRO/Rack and you'll be Daisy-chained to the voice communication channel of your team.
If you are a coach, and your team is in the Championship Bracket, you'll still need to bring your own headset and MixAmp, but no cabling is required. To connect to your team's Daisy-chained voice communication channel, remove the black 'jumper' from the middle 'Coach' slot of the PRO/Rack, and then insert your own MixAmp into the empty slot. There should be a USB power cable there for juice, but it's always a good idea to have batteries in your MixAmp as well, just in case.
If you are coaching a team that is playing in the Championship Bracket on the Main Stage or on one of the Feature Stages, all you'll need is your headset -- coach MixAmps are permanently installed in all of these locations.
Q: What do I need to bring to the MLG Pro Circuit tournament if I'm a player? A: Pro Circuit players participating in both the Open and Championship Brackets at the MLG tournament need to bring their headset and microphone in order to use the ASTRO PRO/Racks at the MLG Xbox 360 stations. If your headset isn't an ASTRO model, you'll also need to acquire or purchase the ASTRO 4-pole-to-PC adapter in order to attach most dual-jack equipped PC headsets to our 4-pole connector on the PRO/Rack.
If you are bringing a pair of headPHONES (no mic) with a single-ended headphone jack, simply attach your headphone jack into the 3.5mm female dongle corresponding to your station. You'll receive game sound without the need for an adapter.
There are only TWO MixAmps available for use per team in the first three rounds of Open Bracket (during split-screen rounds). It is *VERY* helpful to acquire or purchase two ASTRO Gaming Powered Splitters in order to accommodate a full team of four players using A40 Headsets.
Here's our little spiel about the Powered Splitter:
Ever needed to connect two headsets to the same gaming system? How about
connect them and get full Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone surround? What
about voice communication between both headsets? Seems impossible, right?
It has been, up until now.
ASTRO Gaming has solved all of these problems with a simple plug-and-play
gizmo we call the ASTRO Powered Splitter. Simply connect two A40 Headsets to
the Powered Splitter, and connect the splitter to the MixAmp. Players
connected to the splitter can now hear their game sounds in Dolby Headphone
surround and communicate with 100% clarity, as if they were using two fully
Daisy-chained MixAmp. Better still, two daisy-chained MixAmps will perform
like four with the addition of Powered Splitters on each -- making ASTRO
equipment the perfect combination for split-screen play at home or on the
Pro Circuit.
If you have any questions or need any help at the tournament, please speak to one of the ASTRO Gaming technical representatives in the pits. We'll be the ridiculously good-looking people in the red ASTRO shirts.
Q: What do I need to bring to the tournament if I'm a team coach? A: If you are a coach, and your team is competing in the Open Bracket, you'll need to bring your own headset, MixAmp, 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable, and 4xAA batteries to power your MixAmp. Simply plug into one of the 3.5mm ports on either side of the PRO/Rack and you'll be Daisy-chained to the voice communication channel of your team.
If you are a coach, and your team is in the Championship Bracket, you'll still need to bring your own headset and MixAmp, but no cabling is required. To connect to your team's Daisy-chained voice communication channel, remove the black 'jumper' from the middle 'Coach' slot of the PRO/Rack, and then insert your own MixAmp into the empty slot. There should be a USB power cable there for juice, but it's always a good idea to have batteries in your MixAmp as well, just in case.
If you are coaching a team that is playing in the Championship Bracket on the Main Stage or on one of the Feature Stages, all you'll need is your headset -- coach MixAmps are permanently installed in all of these locations.
Q: What do I need to bring to the MLG Pro Circuit tournament if I'm a player? A: Pro Circuit players participating in both the Open and Championship Brackets at the MLG tournament need to bring their headset and microphone in order to use the ASTRO PRO/Racks at the MLG Xbox 360 stations. If your headset isn't an ASTRO model, you'll also need to acquire or purchase the ASTRO 4-pole-to-PC adapter in order to attach most dual-jack equipped PC headsets to our 4-pole connector on the PRO/Rack.
If you are bringing a pair of headPHONES (no mic) with a single-ended headphone jack, simply attach your headphone jack into the 3.5mm female dongle corresponding to your station. You'll receive game sound without the need for an adapter.
There are only TWO MixAmps available for use per team in the first three rounds of Open Bracket (during split-screen rounds). It is *VERY* helpful to acquire or purchase two ASTRO Gaming Powered Splitters in order to accommodate a full team of four players using A40 Headsets.
Here's our little spiel about the Powered Splitter:
Ever needed to connect two headsets to the same gaming system? How about
connect them and get full Dolby Digital and Dolby Headphone surround? What
about voice communication between both headsets? Seems impossible, right?
It has been, up until now.
ASTRO Gaming has solved all of these problems with a simple plug-and-play
gizmo we call the ASTRO Powered Splitter. Simply connect two A40 Headsets to
the Powered Splitter, and connect the splitter to the MixAmp. Players
connected to the splitter can now hear their game sounds in Dolby Headphone
surround and communicate with 100% clarity, as if they were using two fully
Daisy-chained MixAmp. Better still, two daisy-chained MixAmps will perform
like four with the addition of Powered Splitters on each -- making ASTRO
equipment the perfect combination for split-screen play at home or on the
Pro Circuit.
If you have any questions or need any help at the tournament, please speak to one of the ASTRO Gaming technical representatives in the pits. We'll be the ridiculously good-looking people in the red ASTRO shirts.
General
Q: Why do I need an audio mixer? A: Console gamers at home will use the 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 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 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 MixAmp was designed from the ground up to solve this problem.
Q: I'm a PC gamer; what does the MixAmp do for me? A: To be honest, we originally developed the ASTRO 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 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, the USB drivers built into the MixAmp provide a simple plug and play solution to offloading communication and music duties to the MixAmp. This 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 MixAmp and controlled everything at arm's length without interrupting our games. With multiple MixAmps daisy-chained together in a LAN setting, 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, we set up a retail booth at the events and tradeshows that we attend, including the Penny Arcade Expo, and the Major League Gaming events. At the event we carry nearly all of the products available for purchase on our website. Stay tuned for announcements about future marketing partnerships.
Q: Why don't you sell at Gamestop or Bestbuy or any other retailers? 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 closer to $400, 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 by filling out the "Got a Question?" form field to the right.
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 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 MixAmp was designed from the ground up to solve this problem.
Q: I'm a PC gamer; what does the MixAmp do for me? A: To be honest, we originally developed the ASTRO 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 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, the USB drivers built into the MixAmp provide a simple plug and play solution to offloading communication and music duties to the MixAmp. This 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 MixAmp and controlled everything at arm's length without interrupting our games. With multiple MixAmps daisy-chained together in a LAN setting, 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, we set up a retail booth at the events and tradeshows that we attend, including the Penny Arcade Expo, and the Major League Gaming events. At the event we carry nearly all of the products available for purchase on our website. Stay tuned for announcements about future marketing partnerships.
Q: Why don't you sell at Gamestop or Bestbuy or any other retailers? 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 closer to $400, 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 by filling out the "Got a Question?" form field to the right.
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.
Product
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, we also include with each MixAmp an adapter (the Y-adapter) that lets you use any non-ASTRO branded headset with the A40 MixAmp.
Q: Can I plug the headset directly into my computer (PC/Mac) without the MixAmp? A: Yes, the A40 Headset will connect directly to your PC or a Mac when using the included PC Quick Disconnect cable. Without the MixAmp, you just won't have any of the MixAmp's Dolby processing or daisy-chaining capabilities.
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: 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 360 and PS3. Daisy chain connector, USB to USB cable, RCA to RCA Piggyback Cable and 2.5mm-to-2.5mm Xbox Live cable are all included.
Keep in mind that in order to connect your PC with full voice/audio capabilities, you'll need to purchase the 3.5mm-to-3.5mm adaptor found on our accessories page.
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 have a few designs in the bag already, and will release them for tooling as soon as we can.
Q: I want to design my own customizable speaker tags (I want my team's name on mine!) Is that possible? A: We are working hard to make this happen through our manufacturing partners. Our goal is to ramp up 100% user customizable Speaker Tags, offering that option as soon as possible.
We'll be announcing some new partners for Speaker Tags soon -- be sure to sign up for the mailing list for announcements of new designs!
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'll be selling product at all Pro Circuit events during the 2009 season. In addition, each gaming station will have an ASTRO Pro Rack that will be pre-populated with MixAmps. A40 Audio System owners only need to 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: 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: Can I use the A40 at home with the PlayStation Network? A: The A40 Audio System's new MixAmp is now fully compatible with the PlayStation Network. Just simply plug in the USB cable into your PlayStation and you're ready to go. Please note: you must have the MixAmp for full voice functionality on the PS3 and Xbox 360. If you have an A40 MixAmp (previous version) there is an optional PS3 USB adapter you must purchase through our accessories site.
Q: What's so new about the new MixAmp? A: Lots of things. Functionally, the new MixAmp is now fully compatible with the PS3 out of the box in addition to the Xbox 360. From a design aspect, the new MixAmp is redesigned for the modern pro gamer. Bigger mixing knobs and distinctive edges are just few of the aesthetic changes.
Q: What's the BXR edition? How's it different from the regular A40's? A: The BXR Special Edition was created to add even more options for our fans. Blue, Red, and Military green were the most popular colors. Functionally, there is no difference between the A40 BXR SEs and other A40 headsets. Now, your speaker tags can be matched perfectly to the color of your headset!
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 (All models)
- Most Android, Blackberry and most smart phones
- Sony PSP (Version 2000 and up)
- Nintendo DS (audio only - microphone relies on the DS on-board mic)
- Nintendo 3DS
- 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://qa.astrogaming.com/products/3/Audio-Systems/
Q: Are there any advantages of over the ear (A40) or on the ear (A30)? A: It comes down to comfort and preference. Some like over-the-ear better as no pressure is applied to the ear. The bigger difference between the A40 and A30 is open vs. closed can construction. The A40 (open) allows you to hear the audience while the A30 (closed) offers passive noise-cancellation for near silent game play.
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, we also include with each MixAmp an adapter (the Y-adapter) that lets you use any non-ASTRO branded headset with the A40 MixAmp.
Q: Can I plug the headset directly into my computer (PC/Mac) without the MixAmp? A: Yes, the A40 Headset will connect directly to your PC or a Mac when using the included PC Quick Disconnect cable. Without the MixAmp, you just won't have any of the MixAmp's Dolby processing or daisy-chaining capabilities.
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: 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 360 and PS3. Daisy chain connector, USB to USB cable, RCA to RCA Piggyback Cable and 2.5mm-to-2.5mm Xbox Live cable are all included.
Keep in mind that in order to connect your PC with full voice/audio capabilities, you'll need to purchase the 3.5mm-to-3.5mm adaptor found on our accessories page.
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 have a few designs in the bag already, and will release them for tooling as soon as we can.
Q: I want to design my own customizable speaker tags (I want my team's name on mine!) Is that possible? A: We are working hard to make this happen through our manufacturing partners. Our goal is to ramp up 100% user customizable Speaker Tags, offering that option as soon as possible.
We'll be announcing some new partners for Speaker Tags soon -- be sure to sign up for the mailing list for announcements of new designs!
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'll be selling product at all Pro Circuit events during the 2009 season. In addition, each gaming station will have an ASTRO Pro Rack that will be pre-populated with MixAmps. A40 Audio System owners only need to 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: 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: Can I use the A40 at home with the PlayStation Network? A: The A40 Audio System's new MixAmp is now fully compatible with the PlayStation Network. Just simply plug in the USB cable into your PlayStation and you're ready to go. Please note: you must have the MixAmp for full voice functionality on the PS3 and Xbox 360. If you have an A40 MixAmp (previous version) there is an optional PS3 USB adapter you must purchase through our accessories site.
Q: What's so new about the new MixAmp? A: Lots of things. Functionally, the new MixAmp is now fully compatible with the PS3 out of the box in addition to the Xbox 360. From a design aspect, the new MixAmp is redesigned for the modern pro gamer. Bigger mixing knobs and distinctive edges are just few of the aesthetic changes.
Q: What's the BXR edition? How's it different from the regular A40's? A: The BXR Special Edition was created to add even more options for our fans. Blue, Red, and Military green were the most popular colors. Functionally, there is no difference between the A40 BXR SEs and other A40 headsets. Now, your speaker tags can be matched perfectly to the color of your headset!
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 (All models)
- Most Android, Blackberry and most smart phones
- Sony PSP (Version 2000 and up)
- Nintendo DS (audio only - microphone relies on the DS on-board mic)
- Nintendo 3DS
- 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://qa.astrogaming.com/products/3/Audio-Systems/
Q: Are there any advantages of over the ear (A40) or on the ear (A30)? A: It comes down to comfort and preference. Some like over-the-ear better as no pressure is applied to the ear. The bigger difference between the A40 and A30 is open vs. closed can construction. The A40 (open) allows you to hear the audience while the A30 (closed) offers passive noise-cancellation for near silent game play.
Ordering
Q: How soon after I submit my order does it ship? A: We are currently shipping most new orders within 24 hours from when the order is submitted (if your order is placed on a weekday). There is no longer any requirement to pre-order product from the website.
To ensure that your order is shipped on the same day of the order, orders must be submitted before 11AM Pacific time Monday-Friday. Orders may not ship the same day if a postal holiday falls on or between Monday and Friday. Next Day Air orders submitted after 11AM Thursday will not be guaranteed to arrive until the following Monday. Next Day Air order submitted after 11AM Friday will not be guaranteed to arrive until the following Tuesday. Orders can take up to 5 business days to reach the East Coast via FedEx Home or Ground service.
Orders with different billing and shipping addresses may need to be confirmed before the order can be shipped. This confirmation may delay the shipment of your order. As such, we cannot guarantee the delivery times of your chosen method of shipment until after the order is confirmed and your order has shipped.
Packages may be subject to severe weather delays. Packages that are delayed as a result of severe weather are not eligible for refunds or reimbursement of shipping costs.
Q: What does the "LE" 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: What if I just don't like it? Do you offer a money-back guarantee? A: We'll give you 15 days from receipt of your order to decide if you like the items or not. Within the 15 days window, you can return the product in its original packaging for a refund, provided it's not been damaged in any way. Contact ASTRO Gaming support for RMA instructions if you would like to return your product for a refund. Keep in mind that shipping costs are a pass through cost to the package carrier and are unable to be refunded both to and from ASTRO Gaming. For bulk orders in excess of $2,000, return policies differ. If product is purchased and returned at a MLG event, there will be a restocking fee. Contact ASTRO Gaming customer support for more information.
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 of your order to decide if you like the items or not. Within the 15 days window, you can return the product in its original packaging for a refund, provided it's not been damaged in any way. Contact ASTRO Gaming support for RMA instructions if you would like to return your product for a refund. Keep in mind that shipping costs are a pass through cost to the package carrier and are unable to be refunded both to and from ASTRO Gaming. For bulk orders in excess of $2,000, return policies differ. If product is purchased and returned at a MLG event, there will be a restocking fee. Contact ASTRO Gaming customer support for more information.
Q: How much will it cost to ship to...? A: Domestic shipping: Domestic FedEx rates vary depending on service selected, weight of the parcel, and your location. You can view all shipping costs in your shopping cart before you commit to buy.
International shipping: ASTRO Gaming uses only FedEx International Economy for all international orders. Duties & VAT charges are included in these costs.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Google Checkout, and PayPal. All payments will be in US Dollars, and conversion rates may apply from your bank or card issuer.
Q: Why does it cost extra to ship to Canada? A: We absolutely love our northern gaming comrades but despite us being so close to one another, there are duties and taxes for everything that's shipped across the border.
Now when you order with USPS or another carrier, the shipping cost may be minimal and then you'd have to pay the duties and taxes once the order has arrived in Canada. This often ends up with customers waiting even more time to pay a second time for their order.
Let's be honest, that's not exactly an optimal process. That's why we went with FedEx because they collect all the duties and taxes upfront. This way, you don't have to pay a second time, you don't have to wait, and it all costs the same in the end.
Q: I am planning on purchasing something for a holiday gift, how does this impact my return policy? A: Orders submitted between November 23rd and December 31st may have the 15 day return period extended until January 15th.
International shipping: ASTRO Gaming uses only FedEx International Economy for all international orders. Duties & VAT charges are included in these costs.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Google Checkout, and PayPal. All payments will be in US Dollars, and conversion rates may apply from your bank or card issuer.
Q: Why does it cost extra to ship to Canada? A: We absolutely love our northern gaming comrades but despite us being so close to one another, there are duties and taxes for everything that's shipped across the border.
Now when you order with USPS or another carrier, the shipping cost may be minimal and then you'd have to pay the duties and taxes once the order has arrived in Canada. This often ends up with customers waiting even more time to pay a second time for their order.
Let's be honest, that's not exactly an optimal process. That's why we went with FedEx because they collect all the duties and taxes upfront. This way, you don't have to pay a second time, you don't have to wait, and it all costs the same in the end.
Q: I am planning on purchasing something for a holiday gift, how does this impact my return policy? A: Orders submitted between November 23rd and December 31st may have the 15 day return period extended until January 15th.
Q: How do I get support if I have a question or concern about my products? A: As a web based company, all of our technical support is done through our web interface online and resolved through direct email contact with a support agent. We do not offer immediate technical support over the phone for incoming calls.
To submit a case simply click on the Support tab to open a ticket or go here: https://support.astrogaming.com/new_case
Just fill out the appropriate information and give us a brief description of your question or concern and click "Send". If you have correctly submitted your inquiry, you will receive a confirmation email shortly. This confirmation email will let you know that we have successfully received your question and will assign you a case number.
Inquiries will be initially responded to in order and within 24 hours from the time of submitting your case. In the majority of cases, inquiries will be initially responded to much sooner than 24 hours.
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 and newsletter if you'd like to know about and additional pro deals we'll have in the coming year. Our newsletter is also where you'll learn about MLG related news.
Q: Who do you currently sponsor? A: We don't sponsor gaming teams or individuals.
No, really... we don't sponsor gaming teams or individuals. 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 some of the best MLG pro teams like Str8 Rippin', Carbon, Legendz and Nice Like Rice during the 2006 and 2007 gaming seasons with prototype 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 for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. 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. In '09, the A40 Audio System was used by almost all of the top teams for each game within the MLG throughout the season.
We will continue to test new products in the future with selected professionals.
If you are Interested in being an ASTRO beta tester, and meet ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA, then we'd be very interested in talking to you:
1) are local to the Bay Area (or at least California)
2) are currently ranked in the top 3 within their prospective games at live tournaments (not online). (I.E. we are not very interested if you are ranked #517th on the GameBattles ladder).
3) have several top 3 finishes at *live* events
4) can speak and interact well with adults and the media (designers and engineers on our team, interviewers, and reporters)
5) can write clearly (without egregious punctuation and grammar errors).
6) are 18+ and willing/able to sign a non-disclosure agreement
7) are able to handle themselves professionally (well-regarded within the community -- *NO* drugs, alcohol, fighting, etc. at events)
If you don't meet all of the above, well... 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] created. 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
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 and newsletter if you'd like to know about and additional pro deals we'll have in the coming year. Our newsletter is also where you'll learn about MLG related news.
Q: Who do you currently sponsor? A: We don't sponsor gaming teams or individuals.
No, really... we don't sponsor gaming teams or individuals. 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 some of the best MLG pro teams like Str8 Rippin', Carbon, Legendz and Nice Like Rice during the 2006 and 2007 gaming seasons with prototype 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 for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. 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. In '09, the A40 Audio System was used by almost all of the top teams for each game within the MLG throughout the season.
We will continue to test new products in the future with selected professionals.
If you are Interested in being an ASTRO beta tester, and meet ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA, then we'd be very interested in talking to you:
1) are local to the Bay Area (or at least California)
2) are currently ranked in the top 3 within their prospective games at live tournaments (not online). (I.E. we are not very interested if you are ranked #517th on the GameBattles ladder).
3) have several top 3 finishes at *live* events
4) can speak and interact well with adults and the media (designers and engineers on our team, interviewers, and reporters)
5) can write clearly (without egregious punctuation and grammar errors).
6) are 18+ and willing/able to sign a non-disclosure agreement
7) are able to handle themselves professionally (well-regarded within the community -- *NO* drugs, alcohol, fighting, etc. at events)
If you don't meet all of the above, well... 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] created. 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
