USB audio device becomes invisible on Ubuntu 16.04.3 host when Win7 guest boots

[lebedov]

I'm running a Windows 7 guest hosted on Ubuntu 16.04.3 with VirtualBox 5.0.40_Ubuntu r115130. I have an MPOW USB headset (model MPPA071AB) whose input/output works fine on the host via PulseAudio. I configured VirtualBox with a USB xHCI filter for said USB device. When I boot the guest, I no longer see the headset device listed in aplay -l or in pavucontrol; the headset itself works fine within the guest OS, however. I still seem to be able to send audio to the machine's speakers from the host OS (e.g., using aplay), but I can't control the headset via pavucontrol. Is there some way to prevent it from disappearing when running a VM? Or is this expected behavior?

[socratis]

VirtualBox 5.0.40_Ubuntu r115130

It looks like you're using the distro's fork version of VirtualBox. You can either ask in their forums for help, or completely remove/uninstall/delete/purge their version and install the official version from the Downloads section of VirtualBox (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads).

If that doesn't work you should try the latest test builds (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Testbuilds), especially with all the Spectre/Meltdown patches coming in from all sides.

I configured VirtualBox with a USB xHCI filter for said USB device.

Is there some way to prevent it from disappearing when running a VM? Or is this expected behavior?

That is expected behavior. A USB device cannot be shared between two computers. See the following thread: USB basics and troubleshooting, all of the posts.