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Plugable USB Audio Adapter
$12.95 USD
SKU: USB-AUDIOAmazon Rating : (5145 Reviews)
Features
- Convenient Audio—Enable USB connectivity with your existing 3.5mm (TRS) audio headphones, headset, speakers, or microphone with this USB to Audio Jack Adapter
- Great Replacement—Perfect for bypassing a faulty usb sound card, audio port, or as a replacement for a broken USB audio adapter
- Always Ready—Leave connected to a USB hub or dock to avoid unplugging. USB Sound Adapter is lightweight, compact, and constructed of durable aluminum in a black finish
- Easy Install—No additional drivers necessary, plug-and-play on many devices. Compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Raspberry Pi OS. A great fit for Raspberry Pi 5 setups, and other systems without 3.5mm audio jacks
- 2-Year Coverage, Lifetime Support—Every Plugable product, including this USB audio adapter, is covered against defects for 2 years and comes with lifetime support. If you ever have questions, contact our North American-based team - even before purchase
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
The Plugable USB Audio Adapter
Instant Audio for Your PC
The Plugable USB Audio Adapter (USB-AUDIO) is an easy way to instantly add a headphone and microphone jack to almost any USB-enabled PC or laptop. Compact and durable, the adapter installs without needing additional drivers. Simply plug the adapter in, set it as your default device, and listen to your favorite tunes and record with ease!
Compact and Durable
This Plugable USB-AUDIO is a great option if you have a system with broken audio jacks, where speakers aren’t available, or where a USB solution would be more convenient. The adapter is an affordable alternative to hiring a technician, replacing computer parts, or buying a new PC or laptop. A perfect companion for desktops and laptops, this USB audio adapter also shines with development boards like Raspberry Pi, and Beaglebone, where convenient audio access may be needed.
Simple Setup
This small and simple plug-and-play adapter adds audio to your computer right away, with no additional drivers necessary! After receiving the audio adapter, simply plug it into your desired system.
Then go to your Control Panel, Settings, or System Preferences and set the USB audio device as the default input and output device. You may also need to set the “Plugable USB Audio” as the default device in specific apps such as Discord, Skype, and Audacity.
Depending on your platform, this adapter can add audio output, but the microphone input may not work. Please note that cars and TVs are not compatible with this adapter, and that in some scenarios the USB-AUDIO can add audio output, but not audio input.
Features
- 1x Standard USB 2.0 to computer
- 1x 3.5mm TRS stereo output jack
- 1x 3.5mm TRS stereo microphone input jack
- Solid State System SSS1629 Chip for widest compatibility
- Leave connected to a USB hub or dock for easy access. USB bus powered, no external power needed
Microphone Compatibility
- The adapter accepts TRS jacks commonly found in headsets and microphones
- A TS microphone requires a 3.5mm mono-to-stereo adapter to adapt the microphone from TS to TRS
- XLR based microphones, and 1/4” audio jacks from instruments will not work even if adapted to 3.5mm TRS
- Not compatible with lapel microphones
- Please reach out to us directly at: support@plugable.com if you have questions about compatibility before purchasing
System Compatibility
Add 3.5mm stereo audio output and 3.5mm stereo microphone input to any standard USB Audio Class enabled device and operating system with no driver installation required.
Compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux and Raspberry Pi OS. Great for Raspberry Pi 5!
Compatible With:
- Windows 11, 10, 8.x, 7, Vista, XP
- Sony Playstation 5
- Nintendo Switch
- macOS
- Chrome OS
- Linux and Raspberry Pi OS
- Many Android Systems
Not Compatible:
- Car audio systems
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You can always contact support if you need help too!
No Sound? How to Change Your Default Audio Device to Your Plugable Product
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Whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux, it's common to add new audio devices to your computer.
Some examples of additional audio devices you may want to switch to include:
- Bluetooth headsets, headphones, and speakers
- Speakers built into a display, such as a TV or monitor
- A USB sound card, digital audio converter (DAC), or analog to digital converter (ADC)
- USB microphones
- Audio jacks on a docking station
These steps don't apply to the Plugable Performance NIX HDMI Capture Card (USBC-CAP60).
Here are the steps that you need to set a new default audio recording or output device on different operating systems.
Set Audio Output Device
Set Audio Recording Device
Set Default Playback Device in Windows
- Check that your device is properly connected, and that any necessary drivers are installed
- It is also a good idea to make sure that your sound device is turned on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Right-click on the speaker symbol in the Windows taskbar/system tray
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Playback Devices. The Sound window will open with the Playback tab highlighted
-
Windows 10/11—Select Open Sound Settings then click the link under 'Related Settings' for Sound Control Panel, then click the Playback tab
- Alternatively, after selecting Open Sound Settings, use the dropdowns under the Output header
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Playback Devices. The Sound window will open with the Playback tab highlighted
- Find your device in the window
- A Plugable USB 3.0 docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as Plugable Audio
- A Plugable USB 3.0 Silicon Motion docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as SMI USB Audio
- A Plugable USB 2.0 docking station will appear as USB Multimedia Audio Device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
- Right-click on the device you found in step 3 and select Set as Default Device. A check mark should appear next to your device, and sound should now play through it
- Click OK to exit the window
Additional Configuration for Bluetooth
Please see our pairing and configuration guide for Bluetooth devices.
Set Default Playback Device in macOS
- Open System Preferences
- Click Sound
- Select Output
- Select the most appropriate device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
Set Default Playback Device in Linux
- Ensure that you audio device is connected to the PC
- If the audio device is self-powered, it is a good idea to make sure that it is powered on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Launch the 'Settings' application in your distro
- Go to the 'Sound' option
- Find the dropdown for your 'Output Device', and change it to your preferred output device
- For additional sound device controls, you may want to consider using Pulseaudio Volume Controls (package name pavucontrol)
Set Default Recording Device in Windows
- Check that your device is properly connected, and that any necessary drivers are installed
- It is also a good idea to make sure that your sound device is turned on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Right-click on the speaker symbol in the Windows taskbar/system tray
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Recording Devices. The Sound window will open with the Recording tab highlighted
-
Windows 10/11—Select Open Sound Settings then click the link under 'Related Settings' for Sound Control Panel, then click the Recording tab
- Alternatively, after selecting Open Sound Settings, use the dropdowns under the Input header
-
Windows 7/8.x—Select Recording Devices. The Sound window will open with the Recording tab highlighted
- Find your device in the window
- A Plugable USB 3.0 DisplayLink docking station or sound-enabled display adapter will appear as Plugable Audio
- A Plugable USB 2.0 docking station will appear as USB Multimedia Audio Device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
- Right-click on the device you found in step 3 and select Set as Default Device. A check mark should appear next to your device, and sound should now play through it
- Click OK to exit the window
Additional Configuration for Bluetooth
Please see our pairing and configuration guide for Bluetooth devices.
Set Default Recording Device in macOS
- Open System Preferences
- Click Sound
- Select Input
- Select the most appropriate device
- A Plugable USB Audio adapter will appear as USB Audio Device
Set Default Recording Device in Linux
- Ensure that you audio device is connected to the PC
- If the audio device is self-powered, it is a good idea to make sure that it is powered on, and that the device's volume control is not at the absolute minimum setting
- Launch the 'Settings' application in your distro
- Go to the 'Sound' option
- Find the dropdown for your 'Input Device', and change it to your preferred input device
- For additional sound device controls, you may want to consider using Pulseaudio Volume Controls (package name pavucontrol)
How do I use the Plugable USB Audio Adapter with my meeting app?
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Background
We can help you with that! Whether you're having a fun conversation with family and friends, or an important call such as a virtual doctor appointment or a tele-presentation, you need to be sure that your audio is setup and ready to go.
No matter what your goal is, this guide will help you get your Plugable USB Audio Adapter set up to use in your meeting app so you don't miss those important calls. Our Plugable USB Audio Adapter is a great fit for apps like:
Setup Overview
First, you'll need to set the adapter as the Default Device for both the Microphone and Speaker devices in your operating system. If you need help getting that set up, click here, to find steps for your operating system.
Now that you've set the adapter as the default device in your operating system, you'll also need to set it as the default device in your meeting apps using the steps in the sections below.
Google Meet
- Open Google Meet, and click Check your audio and video
- Click the dropdown menus for both Microphone, and Speaker and set the Plugable USB Audio Device as the default
Here's an official article from Google if you'd like further details.
Microsoft Skype
- Click the ellipsis (three dots) and then click on Settings
- Click on Audio & Video, and scroll down to the Audio section. Then, click on the dropdown arrows to set both the Microphone and Speaker to the Plugable USB Audio Device
Here's an official article from Microsoft about Skype, if you'd like further details.
Microsoft Teams
- Click the ellipsis (three dots) to open some further options, and then click Settings.
- Then, click on the dropdown menus to set both the Microphone and Speaker to the Plugable USB Audio Device
Here's an official Article from Microsoft about Teams if you'd like further details.
Zoom
- Click the Settings Gear icon , to open the Settings
- Then, click on Audio click on the dropdown menus to set both the Microphone and Speaker to the Plugable USB Audio Device
Here's an official article from Zoom if you'd like further details.
We hope this was helpful! Feel free to reach out to us directly at support@plugable.com if you have questions or concerns.
Pluga-Project - Raspberry Pi Bluetooth Audio Receiver
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It's Pluga-Project time! This is a really neat one. We're going to make a Raspberry Pi Bluetooth audio receiver. We'll be able to stream audio in from a device like a phone, tablet or computer, and out to audio equipment like a stereo system, pair of speakers, headphones, etc.
The Project Developer suggests using a USB Bluetooth adapter instead of the onboard Bluetooth adapter due to issues with interference. We've seen some interference issues and lag with the onboard adapter, so that's where our
USB-BT4LE Bluetooth adapter comes into play. We'll stream our audio into the adapter.
The Raspberry Pi has a built in 3.5mm Audio out port, but the volume seemed a little low. You can manually adjust volume settings, but, ultimately we found that the volume would also need to be cranked on the audio equipment itself, which isn't ideal. So we've been testing with our USB-AUDIO adapter, and have had good results with a normal volume!
What we need
- A Raspberry Pi 3/3B+ or 4 series for the best results
- A Plugable USB-AUDIO adapter
- A Plugable USB-BT4LE Bluetooth adapter
- Speakers or a stereo system with an AUX/Line Input we can connect to
- A 3.5mm TRS Cable
Do you have what you need? Great! Below, you will find sections for each of the four main steps we need to take to get this thing working. Head down when you're ready, and let's have fun!
We're going to use the new Raspberry Pi Imager tool to cut down on the time and work. The program is available on Windows, macOS, Linux and can even be installed on a Raspberry Pi systems!
We'll need to use the Raspberry Pi OS Legacy build for this project, and we'd suggest the Lite version to keep things easy. That's because the receiver platform uses the BlueAlsa package for Bluetooth audio. There are some different packages in the latest Bullseye Version of Raspberry Pi OS, which unfortunately makes it incompatible with this system.
The Raspberry Pi Imager tool provides useful configuration options before boot, so we can cut down time afterwards. Head over to the link below, and install the version for your computer. Make sure you have the Micro SD Card inserted and then move on to the steps below when you're ready!
Did you install the Raspberry Pi Imager? Yes? Great! Let's move on. Start the program, and then let's follow along with the steps below:
- We need to choose the operating system to install. Click Choose OS
- Click Raspberry Pi OS (other)
- Click on the Raspberry Pi OS Lite (Legacy) operating system. You may need to scroll down to see it or want to expand the window for a better view
- Now, we have the Operating System set. Click Choose Storage
- Click on your Storage Device. Here, we have a 200gb MicroSD Card which we'll use. 8GB is the minimum amount of space suggested by Raspberry Pi
- Now that we have the Operating System and Storage Device set, we need to set our custom login properties. Click the Settings Gear
- Below are the custom properties that we should fill in to make our login process easier:
- Set Hostname
- Enable SSH - This will enable Secure Shell protocol so we can remote into our Pi
- Set username and password
- Configure wireless LAN (You could use the built-in ethernet, or a USB Ethernet adapter.)
- Set locale settings
Click Save to make the changes. Here, you can see the before and after of the setup (You may want to right-click on this picture, and view it in a new tab or window to enlarge it.)
- Click Write to prepare for writing the OS to the card
- You may get a message stating that all data on the card will be erased. Click Yes to continue
- Now, the image will be written
- It has been written! Click Continue to finish
That was pretty easy, right? Head down to the next section once you're ready to SSH into the Pi!
We're going to connect to the Pi from our computer using SSH (Secure Shell) protocol. That way, we can easily set up and configure the files and settings remotely to get the project to work.
There are many SSH programs available, but, we're going to use PowerShell on Windows to keep things easy. These commands can also be completed using the default terminal on macOS and Linux. Setup the Pi with the Micro SDcard, the Audio and Bluetooth adapters plugged into USB ports and turn it on.
- Open PowerShell, and enter the ssh command combined with our username@hostname.local. So for example, my completed login looks like this:
ssh plugable@soundwave.local(Your username and hostname will be different)
- This next screen seems a little scary. But, it's just asking us if we're sure we want trust this connection. We are sure, and we sure didn't come this far to turn back! Enter yes, into the terminal to proceed and it will make a note for next time
- Enter your password. (Please note, it will not be shown when typing)
- You should now be logged in!
- The first thing to do is update. Enter
sudo apt-get updatewhich will look for available updates and packages
- Once the update finishes we need to upgrade. Enter
sudo-apt-get upgradewhich will prepare to install any updates/packages that were found. Then, we'll need to enter y for yes which will start the upgrade process. Please note, installation times may vary
- When the upgrade finishes we'll be ready to reboot, but first, let's get our actual IP address. Enter
hostname -Iinto the terminal, which will display the IP address. We can use this to log into the Pi going forward
- Enter
sudo rebootinto the terminal to reboot as we've done great work
Great! We've done the basic setup. Next, we will install the audio receiver files and setup the platform for use. See you there!
Overall we're going to follow the project guide, but with a few extra steps along the way to get everything configured for the adapters. Are you ready? Good! Let's go step-by-step and get this thing set up!
- First, we need to download the project files. Enter
wget -q https://github.com/nicokaiser/rpi-audio-receiver/archive/main.zipinto the terminal (Please note, you won't see any actual print out after entering, it will just be a blank line.)
- We need to unzip the files. Enter
unzip main.zipand we will see a new directory created, files extracted and inflated
- Next, we can remove with archive the rm command now that the files have been extracted. Enter
rm main.zip
- We're going to Change Directory with the cd command into the newly created rpi-audio-receiver directory. Enter
cd rpi-audio-receiver-maininto the terminal
- We're now in the main audio receiver folder! Let's start the guided installation. We'll need to use sudo (Super User Do) to install the software. This is a powerful tool for administration, and we can do so by entering
sudo ./install.shinto the terminal
- The Hostname is the name of our device itself, and the Pretty Name is what we'll actually see in our Bluetooth listing when trying to connect our devices. You can make the Pretty Name something different than the hostname if you want. We're going to stay the course for this example, and use Soundwave as both the Hostname and Pretty name. Once you pick your names the installation will begin
- Great, things are setting up nicely! Install Bluetooth Audio (PulseAudio) - This needs to be installed. Enter y for yes
-
Optional - Install Shairport Sync AirPlay 1 Audio Receiver (see the link for more details)
-
Optional - Install Spotify Connect (See the link for more details)
- After you've made your choices we'll need to disable the onboard Bluetooth adapter. There are different ways of doing this, but, editing the boot config is easy to do, and easy to re-enable. Enter
sudo nano /boot/config.txtinto the terminal
- Scroll down to the bottom of the file, and type in
dtoverlay=disable-bt. This will disable the onboard Bluetooth adapter. Now we need to save the file. Press Ctrl and X at the same time on your keyboard to start a save and exit .
- This is asking us if we want to save what added into the file. Enter y for yes
- Next we are going to confirm the file name which is Config.txt. We aren't going to change anything, so press the Enter key to confirm and save the file
- Great! We should reboot for the changes to finalize. Enter
sudo reboot
Ok. Here we are at the final stage. Let's connect everything up, and test it out! See you there!
The time has come to test it all out. This older radio still has a great sound, but no network or Bluetooth connectivity. It does however have an Aux In jack and is just right for this project!
- Run a 3.5mm TRS cable from the green audio out jack on the USB-AUDIO into an aux or line in port on your equipment (Equipment varies, but typically you'll want to plug it into an Aux In or Line In jack)
- We need to enter the final commands to get our receiver ready for a signal. Enter
sudo bluetoothctlinto the terminal to get into Bluetooth controls, and then enter the following commands:- power on
- discoverable on
- pairable on
- exit
- Now it's time to try connecting to the receiver. Using Windows 11 as an example, go into your Settings > Bluetooth & Devices (or similar section) and click Add device
- Next, click Bluetooth
- You should see your receiver listed here. Click on it to set it as your device
- Great! Our device is ready to go. We can see that it we are connected to it for music. We can click Done
- We should now see our receiver in the main list of devices, and can now stream music to it
There we have it! This is a really neat project, and it's always cool to make something yourself!
We hope this was fun, helpful and informative! Feel free to reach out to us directly at: support@plugable.com with any Raspberry Pi project ideas, project results or other questions.
Understanding Power Delivery vs. Pass-Through Power Delivery
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When choosing a docking station or USB hub, it's important to understand the difference between Power Delivery (PD) and Pass-Through Power Delivery. While both terms refer to charging capabilities, they function differently and impact how power is distributed to connected devices.
What is Power Delivery (PD)?
USB Power Delivery (PD) is a fast-charging standard that allows devices to negotiate power levels dynamically. Key aspects include:
- Enables higher power transfer (up to 100W or more, depending on the device and cable).
- Ensures efficient charging by dynamically adjusting voltage and current.
- Commonly used in USB-C chargers, docking stations, and hubs that provide power directly to laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Example: A USB-C docking station with PD output can charge a connected laptop while simultaneously powering other peripherals. Additionally, these tend to come with their own AC adapter.
What is Pass-Through Power Delivery?
Pass-Through Power Delivery refers to a hub or docking station that does not generate power itself but instead allows power to pass through from an external power adapter. Key aspects include:
- Requires a dedicated power adapter (e.g., a USB-C PD laptop charger) plugged into the docking station or hub.
- Typically, a portion of the incoming power is allocated to the dock’s functionality (such as data transfer and peripheral connections), and the remaining power is sent to the connected laptop or device.
- May reduce the total power available to the laptop compared to direct charging.
Example: A USB-C hub with pass-through PD allows a laptop's original USB-C PD charger to be connected to the hub, which then distributes power to the laptop while also supporting external peripherals.
Choosing the Right Option
- If you need a docking station that can directly charge your laptop, look for one with dedicated Power Delivery (PD) support.
- If your laptop already has a high-wattage charger and you want to maintain power while expanding connectivity, a pass-through PD hub may be a better choice.
- Be mindful of power limitations with pass-through charging, as some hubs may reserve power for their own operation, reducing the power available for the laptop.
Some examples of hubs with PD pass-through would be our USBC-9IN1E with 140w pass-through charging or our smaller USBC-4IN1 with 100w pass-through.
On the flip side, we have our docking stations that power your devices by themselves. Examples such as our UD-7400PD which is capable of 140w of charge and 5 displays.
Understanding these differences will help ensure you select the right docking station or USB-C hub for your setup. If you have any questions or would like a recommendation, feel free to reach out to our support at support@plugable.com
