Ever been engrossed in an online game with your friends, but found that your microphone sounds like you’re talking from the bottom of the ocean? If this sounds familiar, this is the page for you.
Whether your mic is an older headset or equipped with the latest technology, audio issues can happen.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to buy a new headset! We’ll cover some ways to make your microphone sound better in this article.
Even if you’re set on purchasing a new mic, try some of the tips below before you hand over your hard-earned cash. You may just save yourself a hefty sum.
Issues With Bluetooth Or Wifi Connection
If you have a wireless headset, you may run into problems with either Bluetooth or Wifi.
This often occurs if a house has a lot of wireless interference. These can affect your headset connection and could even cause white noise.
This can happen for a variety of reasons. The first is if you live in an environment where a lot of electronic devices are used. Things like laptops, cell phones, and microwaves can overload the frequency once they’re turned on.
This interference adds up enough to affect your microphone.
This may also happen depending on your headset’s position. Your microphone needs to emit wireless signals to send and receive web data.
Any solid obstacles can block these frequencies which p[revents your microphone from connecting. Distance also matters, as your mic’s quality will decrease the further away you are from your console, PC, or router.
Most people don’t have obstacles in between their microphone and console but if you’re using Wifi, the position of your router still matters. This goes for both games consoles and laptops.
Your headset normally uses Bluetooth to transmit your voice to the console. The console then uses WiFi to transmit the data to the internet. If the router is too far away, the signal will be too weak, affecting the quality of your voice.
Lastly, a common connectivity issue that people often fail to spot is out-of-date firmware. Keep updating your headset drivers and microphones to make sure that they have sufficient software.
Addressing connectivity issues can make a difference to your sound quality. If you’ve tried the tips above but your microphone still sounds garbled, connectivity issues probably weren’t the initial issue.
Changing The Microphone Settings
It may not be possible to transform cheaper microphones into better ones, but you can alter the settings to process the audio. This won’t have huge effects, but they can make a little difference.
If your microphone doesn’t come with a driver, you can use Windows’ standard sound settings to change the alignment. Discord users can also use these tools to change their microphone’s sensitivity.
You just have to change the settings until you find the arrangement that sounds the best.
If you use Windows, locate these settings by finding the Control Panel. Click Hardware, Sounds, then the recording tab. Your microphone should be on the list. Select the microphone, then click on properties.
You can change your mic’s sensitivity and power by adjusting the ‘levels’ tab.
Increase the sensitivity if your microphone struggles to pick your voice up. Lower the sensitivity if your voice sounds distorted or too loud. If your mic can’t hear you much at all, the boost can make you sound louder.
Similar settings that are seen on Windows are also seen on both Playstation and Xbox consoles. You can change your mic’s sensitivity in the same way by adjusting the settings.
If you use Discord to communicate with your friends, you can change the settings through the app. To do this, click on the gear that’s next to your name. Select the ‘Voice and Video’ settings.
Discord also has features like automatic gain control, echo cancellation, and noise suppression options. Play around with a few of these and see if your audio improves.
Put The Microphone In A Different Position
If your microphone is too far away, it won’t pick up your voice. By the same token, if the mic is too close to your mouth, it will pick up too many breathing and saliva sounds.
Headsets with boom mics don’t encounter this issue, as you can simply change the microphone’s position. The ideal distance between the mic and your mouth should be no less than 1 inch.
This will be more difficult if you have an in-line mic. Microphones on these generally lie adjacent to the volume controls.
If you have an in-line mic, you may need to hold the mic next to your mouth, which isn’t a feasible option if you need your hands to play games. You can temporarily solve this problem by using tape to stick the microphone to your shoulder or face.
Physical Mic Damage
If you’ve ever dropped your headset, there’s a chance that your microphone may have been damaged in the process. You may be able to see the damage, but some of it may be non-visible.
Here are some things you can do to test if your microphone is intact.
Examine The Connections
Your poor audio may be down to a simple issue. Look at your headset and check that it’s properly connected to your device. Check to see if there are any frayed cables, exposed wires, or broken components.
Record A Sample
You can do this if your device has recording software installed. Record some sounds or yourself speaking. Play the audio back and listen for any issues. If it doesn’t sound right, you’ll know that your microphone has a problem.
Try A Skype Mic Test
This requires a Skype account. Sign in to Skype and click on your contact list. Search for Echo/Sound Test Service and call it. As you call the service, you can record a message and play it back to hear it.
If your voice sounds quiet or has an echo, your microphone may have an issue.
Use A Foam Cover To Block Out Background Noise
This last trick works well, but can only be used on boom microphones.
Try purchasing a foam cover for your microphone. This looks like a small cap that fits on top of your mic. The material works by filtering out background noise, improving audio quality as a result.
In Summary
There are a few ways to improve how your microphone sounds that don’t involve purchasing a new one. Nevertheless, if you’ve tried all of the above tips and tricks, your headset itself may be the issue.
Try to avoid cheaper headsets, as these microphones are generally of poorer quality than higher-priced ones.
You don’t need to pay through the roof for these, but do your research to find out which microphone will suit your needs.
I want to share my passion for VR gaming with others through Moggles. This site is dedicated to providing others with all of the information they need to know about VR. From the best zombie games, the most suitable headsets, and how to successfully mod games, we have got you covered.
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