So I just got a Razer Carcharias, which I absolutely love when it comes to the sound quality and most importantly for me, comfort (I had a really crappy headset before this). The only thing that I have a problem with is the mic, in which there is a constant static/feedback noise in the background.

Link to a sound clip of my mic being recorded:
http://www.mediafire.com/?6fieh462zr7e2yr

Its pretty bad. Ive played around with my sound settings a bunch and havn't been able to get rid of it. Im on an Acer Aspire 5739G laptop, and just recently updated the drivers. Any help would be appreciated. Would be a shame if there was no hope simply because I really do like this headset.

KomradeKevin

United States88 Posts

June 07 2011 14:04 GMT

In Windows 7 there is an automatic amplifier in the recording settings. Right click the speaker icon in bottom right(by your clock), select recording devices. Right click your headset and select properties. Then go to the levels tab. See the Microphone Boost setting? Usually when the static is too much, that is the problem. I have a Razer Carcharias as well and had some static issues when switching from a junk microphone. I have my Microphone boost set to +10.0dB and microphone set to 75. I use skype regularly and the problems stopped. The feedback is usually due to the microphone picking up its own noise through the speakers/headphones. Turning down the extra boost should eliminate your problem if there is nothing wrong with the headset and laptop.

Ethereal_Starcraft

United States78 Posts

November 22 2011 04:08 GMT

I have a Razer Carcharias also, but I also have Windows XP instead of Windows 7...
I also have the same problem, and have had to quit using skype because nobody got anything but static!
Instead of opening a new post, hopefully somebody will see this and notify me of a way to turn down the mic amplifier in XP.

Cyro

United Kingdom20326 Posts

November 22 2011 04:15 GMT

Banshee has similar problems, and also bursts of static 10x louder than voice level, a friend has one and he has to unplug and replug it every half hour after permanantly damaging my ears

Ethereal_Starcraft

United States78 Posts

November 22 2011 04:18 GMT

lol that sounds pretty bad. I've been looking around and every time I see a solution to a similar problem, such as megaloden or banshee, I cannot see the icons or sections/options required to resolve the problems!

Ethereal_Starcraft

United States78 Posts

November 22 2011 04:44 GMT

Seems like I have fixed the problem.
My mic was plugged into my Deathadder Ultimate keyboard and I moved it to the port on the back of my computer.
Seems to have fixed it.
But I don't seem to be able to install skype...

Ashby

Australia204 Posts

November 22 2011 04:55 GMT

Yea I had the same issue with the Razer Carcharias headset,my static came in at random times. I turned mic boost down but it then made it hard for people to hear me.

My Carcharias had an ear peice just die, and as it is out of warranty, I bought the Corsair HS1 USB Headset for $59 AUD (about $45 cheaper then the Razer Carcharias) and it has better sound quality, more settings to suit the sound that you want, and in my opinion it is way more comfortable, all for a much cheaper price. Oh and Corsair offer a 2 year warranty where Razer only offer a 1 year warranty on their headsets.

Was a no brainer for me to never buy Razer again. I have had the old Barracuda headset replaced twice on warranty as first the ear peice stopped working and then when it was replaced the mic didn't work at all. And then I had the issues with the Razer Carcharias so my relationship with Razer hs ended, at least for the headset, I may consider one of their mice in the future if my Microsoft Intelli 3.0 ever dies.

Ethereal_Starcraft

United States78 Posts

November 22 2011 05:17 GMT

The razer headsets seem to fall short against steelseries and other brands such as sennheiser. Their mechanical keyboards and mice though, from my experience are extremely responsive, trustworthy and high-quality. Despite, of course, their high cost. If you tend to break your computer equipment, I would get a sturdier mouse or at least one that fits you the best.

redeux

United States148 Posts

November 22 2011 11:08 GMT

On November 22 2011 13:08 Ethereal_Starcraft wrote:
I have a Razer Carcharias also, but I also have Windows XP instead of Windows 7...
I also have the same problem, and have had to quit using skype because nobody got anything but static!
Instead of opening a new post, hopefully somebody will see this and notify me of a way to turn down the mic amplifier in XP.

Make sure Stereo Mix is disabled:
Go to Sound Settings -> Recording -> Stereo Mix -> Disable

I have a Razer Carcharias and the only time I've ever had problems is when I had stereo mix enabled. Since disabling it I've had my headset problem free for over a year now...so hopefully that helps.

Headshot

United States1656 Posts

December 24 2013 04:53 GMT

#10

On November 22 2011 20:08 redeux wrote:

Show nested quote +

Sorry for the bump, but I just got the Rzer Carcharias and I'm having this exact same problem. I'm still running Windows XP, though, so I don't see these settings to disable Stereo Mix. Ugh. Any Windows XP fixes that anyone knows of?

Ropid

Germany3557 Posts

December 24 2013 16:40 GMT

#11

On December 24 2013 13:53 Headshot wrote:

Show nested quote +

Open the Volume Mixer window that will show all those sliders arranged from left to right. In that window's menu, click "Options -> Properties". Select "Recording" in the top half of the Properties window. In the bottom half, put a check-mark on "Stereo Mix". This will enable showing the Stereo Mix slider in the Volume Mixer window. Then you can try making sure it's put to zero and that might help.