Make mic louder but not get static sound?

blade55555

United States17423 Posts

May 15 2013 09:23 GMT

Hey so I figured I get asked a lot about this when streaming on how shitty my mic is and I was hoping maybe someone has a solution. This is a steelseries Siberia v2.

If you want to know what it sounds like just go to this vod and listen to the first 5 seconds: http://www.twitch.tv/blade55555/b/403603987

I have the microphone boosted to 30 (the max) from windows properties on the mic and I know if I lower it the static noise goes away but then people can't hear me or barely hear me.

If there isn't a solution what Mic would you guys recommend to buy (that isn't too expensive) that I could commentate with and not have that annoying sound with, is pretty comfortable and people could hear me no problem?

weepingAngel

Australia16 Posts

May 15 2013 13:55 GMT

Often there is a lot of static noise that is generated in the computer that is picked up by your computers sound card. Turning up the mic boost will amplify this sound. My webcam plugs in via usb and has almost none of this noise. If you do not have such a webcam available then another option is to get a usb sound card with a mic input. Just check some reviews if you are going to get a usb sound card to check that the sound card itself doesn't make too much noise.

Also just so you know mics do not make noise, only the circuits that are used to amplify the signal do.

Ropid

Germany3557 Posts

May 15 2013 14:37 GMT

The video sounds more like the noise of computer fans to me, not the kind of static noise weepingAngel is thinking of.

a176

Canada6688 Posts

May 15 2013 15:51 GMT

the siberia should give you much better audio quality than that, and you definitely should not have to boost it. what is your audio card/system? what is your audio streaming bitrate? is the recording volume set to 100? and of course ... move the mic closer to your mouth?

dUTtrOACh

Canada2339 Posts

May 15 2013 19:25 GMT

It sounds like you have a fan blasting air right into the headset.

Strange "static" if I do say so myself. I've never heard a headset sounding so terrible before. It almost sounds worse than my laptop's microphone.

Is it still on warranty? Perhaps it's a hardware thing, or maybe you've just completely fucked up your audio settings.

xbeo

Germany19 Posts

May 15 2013 20:38 GMT

As I like to use good headphones I cannot use a headset. I bought the cheapest phantom powered microphone that I could find (http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_em_800.htm). you dont need a microphone made especially for vocals, just take the cheapest instrument microphone. Of course you will need a sound interface with a phantom powered XLR input. As I sometimes try to make music I already had one, but this could cost additional 150 EUR.

Pros:
- absolutely no static noise, plenty of headroom
- you will sound like a radio moderator: people can understand everything you say
- you can walk freely in the room and still chat - with or without headphones
- if your headphones break you dont need a new microphone and vice versa
- you can use REAL headphones

Cons:
- expensive (microphone, headphone, audio interface, small microphone stand)
- not very compact solution
- added complexity because of additional audio interface

IMHO: If you are streaming, a phantom powered mic is a MUST. everything else hurts the ears if you use real headphones. If you want to go even further, buy a pop shield (cheap as hell).

blade55555

United States17423 Posts

May 15 2013 21:07 GMT

On May 16 2013 04:25 dUTtrOACh wrote:
It sounds like you have a fan blasting air right into the headset.

Strange "static" if I do say so myself. I've never heard a headset sounding so terrible before. It almost sounds worse than my laptop's microphone.

Is it still on warranty? Perhaps it's a hardware thing, or maybe you've just completely fucked up your audio settings.

Ah I should have probably said skip forward to like 10 minutes or something. I forgot the first little bit is my head set being on top of my computer which is why you hear a fan.

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