Cataloging every Xbox Communicator.

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Ryzee already has a new xbox communicator PCB built out, but I wanted to document the ones that were made as much as possible to help make it easier for more to be made. Going back to like 2002 there wasn't much standardization when it came to usb microphone and audio devices, so naturally the microchip in nearly all xbox communicators was an xbox specific SKU that's not present in other devices.

So far, I have found what appears to be at least 4 separate IC chips used in Xbox communicators. The main chip is the Micronas UAC 3560B. AFAICT this includes both voice input and mono sound output over a 3 pole 2.5mm TRS connector. There is one known xbox variant, the Micronas UAC 3561B, which AFAICT only accepts voice input over a 1/4" TRS connection designed for Karaoke/Music games. The other two are interesting, especially the one that's a cross-platform compatible device, and there may be even more yet to be uncovered.

So below is a google doc outlining all of the specs of known xbox communicators I've come across. I'm sure there are more so please reach out to me if you know more.

Fake Communicators

There are two devices that don't makle it clear in their communication that their device is not actually a communicator and is instead a communicator add-on device. The first one is the Datel Team Talk. This device simply splits the audio from one communicator up to 4 headsets, so in theory a player on xbox live with three guests could all participate in voice chat.
The other device is the Nyko SpeakerCom. This alone just simply plugs in on top of a communicator and uses a speaker for audio output instead of a headset. Do not buy either of these and expect them to work like a communicator.

Controllers w/Built-In Communicators

AFAICT there was at least four controllers that embedded the communicator directly into the controller. The most common one is probably going to be the Mad Catz Go Live! Controller. The next most common one is going to be the Radica Phoenix Gamepad for Xbox Live. The last one, which is the least common and is nearly impossible to find the adapter is the wireless Hip Gear XB-Comm Wireless Controller & Headset. Funnily enough it advertises bluetooth functionality but that's actually for connecting the controller to the xbox, not the headset to the controller. AFAICT the only original xbox headdset that was truly wireless was the Logitech Cordless Headset For Xbox.

Below I'm just going to post photos of each communicator for reference and SEO.