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Definitely the feature that sets Xbox Live apart right away. You may have played online before, but unless you've communicated in real time with teammates and opponents, you haven't lived. Here's how.

Hook Up Your Xbox Communicator

The first thing you'll want to do to really get the feel for what Xbox Live is all about is hook up that Xbox Communicator. Here's what you do:

1. Insertthe module into the TOP expansion slot of your Xbox controller.

2. Insert the headset plug into the headset jack on the module.

3. Attach the microphone/earpiece to the headset. You can put it on either the right or left—where ever it feels more comfortable. The microphone should rest about an inch from your mouth and off to the side.

4. Put the headset on your head. It goes around the back of your head. Trust us. If you put it on top, it's too tight. You may start to feel like you have an unusually large noggin—like a Mardi Gras float.

Now you're ready to roll!

Use Your Xbox Communicator

Once you've got your Xbox Communicator hooked up and comfortably situated on your head, there are a couple things you should know:

1. You need a voice-enabled game to use your Xbox Communicator. Plugging in your Communicator will not magically allow you to talk to the aliens in Halo.

2. If you don't want your opponents and/or teammates to hear you, press the Mute button on the Xbox Communicator module. This button glows green if your microphone is on, red if it's muted.

3. Use the volume control dial to adjust the volume to a comfortable level.

Use Voice Masking

First, what the heck IS voice masking? You know how you used to make prank phone calls to the old lady down the street and you'd cover the phone with the end of your T-shirt and try to sound like someone else? Well, this is kinda like that except voice masking actually does disguise your voice, doesn't require you to remove your shirt, and will not result in an angry phone call to your mom. It's a great way to disguise your age or your gender, or to just really get into your game by assuming a new identity. Besides, it's fun to try out all the different voice styles. Here's how to do it:

1. Make sure that your online-enabled game supports voice masking.
2. Check your game manual to find out how to turn voice masking on and how to choose a voice.

Mute a Player

If you're playing with someone who is bugging you—maybe they've got an annoying Pee-Wee Herman type voice or the taunting is getting a bit out of hand—you have the option of muting them. Muting shuts off all voice communication with that player. You won't be able to hear them OR speak to them. They will not know they've been muted, and they'll stay muted until you turn their voice back on. Here's how to shut someone up:

1. Select the player you want to mute in the Players list.
2. Press the A button.
3. Select Voice:Off.

OK, so you're over it, and you want to resume communicating with this formerly obnoxious player. Here's how to turn their voice back on:

1. Select the player in the Players list.
2. Press A.
3. Change the Voice:Off option toVoice:On.