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Microphone for gaming

coldmeat

coldmeat

Diamond Member
Is there such a thing as a microphone that attaches to a pair of headphones? Maybe by snapping on, or by using a suction cup? I want to buy a microphone, but don't really want one on my desk and I already have a good pair of headphones. I've looked around but can't find anything in a store or online.
 
NewEgg used to carry the Zalman clip-on mic, but they haven't had it in stock for ages. Through a google link I did find this: http://www.pricegrabber.com/us...4422473&lot_id=3785948

In any case, the Zalman mic was what most people recommended. While I never got the chance to try it out, I'm still interested in trying one out (my X-Fi has some strangely high sensitivity rating for the mic, so my usual one doesn't cut it). But lots of people recommend it, so it must be good.
 
Maybe I'll just stick to a desktop one. That one doesn't seem to be available anywhere.

How good are desktop microphones? How close do you have to be for it to pick your voice up clearly? Could I sit 2 feet away from it and still have people hear me clearly on the other end?
 
I have one that clips onto my shirt and it works fine in online games. I just can't have my game blaring loud though.
 
You use speakers with a microphone? Ugh!

The instant I hear my own voice coming through someone else's mic transmissions I want to punch em in the internet face. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Aflac
NewEgg used to carry the Zalman clip-on mic, but they haven't had it in stock for ages. Through a google link I did find this: http://www.pricegrabber.com/us...4422473&lot_id=3785948

In any case, the Zalman mic was what most people recommended. While I never got the chance to try it out, I'm still interested in trying one out (my X-Fi has some strangely high sensitivity rating for the mic, so my usual one doesn't cut it). But lots of people recommend it, so it must be good.
Click to expand...

that's what i use and it works perfectly.
 
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: Aflac
NewEgg used to carry the Zalman clip-on mic, but they haven't had it in stock for ages. Through a google link I did find this: http://www.pricegrabber.com/us...4422473&lot_id=3785948

In any case, the Zalman mic was what most people recommended. While I never got the chance to try it out, I'm still interested in trying one out (my X-Fi has some strangely high sensitivity rating for the mic, so my usual one doesn't cut it). But lots of people recommend it, so it must be good.
Click to expand...

that's what i use and it works perfectly.
Click to expand...

I have something very similar. Works like a charm.

KT
 
Originally posted by: Aflac
NewEgg used to carry the Zalman clip-on mic, but they haven't had it in stock for ages. Through a google link I did find this: http://www.pricegrabber.com/us...4422473&lot_id=3785948

In any case, the Zalman mic was what most people recommended. While I never got the chance to try it out, I'm still interested in trying one out (my X-Fi has some strangely high sensitivity rating for the mic, so my usual one doesn't cut it). But lots of people recommend it, so it must be good.
Click to expand...

The Zalman mic is good for the money, but if you're buying one, buy a couple. They break very easily. I've gone through two already and I'm relatively careful. The first one fell off my desk and hit one of the desk legs, after which I'd get nothing but static out of it. I think my chair ran over the cord for the second one and that managed to do it in. So be cautious with the long cord and treat the actual mic gently.

Other than that, it's a good mic. Just pair it up with some good headphones (I'm using a pair of AudioTechnica ATH-A700s) and you're golden. Much better solution than a typical "gaming headset".
 
Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy
Much better solution than a typical "gaming headset".
Click to expand...

I guess both of my Zalman mic's are crap. I wasn't impressed with it. My Sennheiser's and Steelseries are way better than the Zalman, but I'm hard to please. 😉 Hoping for better solutions in 2009.
 
I made my own solution. Years ago I had some little radio shack headset with a flex mic boom that I bought on clearance for something like $8. Needless to say the headphones didn't have a long life, but the boom was excellent. So later when I got some nice headphones I did some Dremel sawing and used a bit of epoxy to attach the mic. A few plastic cable ties have secured the mic cable to the other.

I'm not saying you can find a similar hardware, but I would not hesitate to shop around for a cheap headset from which to scavenge a decently working mic.
 
Originally posted by: Liet
You use speakers with a microphone? Ugh!

The instant I hear my own voice coming through someone else's mic transmissions I want to punch em in the internet face. 🙂
Click to expand...

99% of the time I never hear my own voice coming through. I just learn to wait to speak until everyone else done. I've never gotten any complaints on sound quality. I would like a nice headset though. I guess time to save up. MMM pr0n without having to turn down the speakers lol.
 
I use an USB desktop mic, frees up the flexi-jack on my x-fi for digi-out to the amplifier; got couple of fans going in the background but it never seems to pick up the annoying whirling sounds, voice quality is always sharp and clear.

I hate those boom mics on headsets because people always position it under their nostrils and they just love breathing into the damn thing.
 
Originally posted by: sushicide

I hate those boom mics on headsets because people always position it under their nostrils and they just love breathing into the damn thing.
Click to expand...

Funny how people don't use the "push to talk key" do they? That really is irritating!
 
Zalman clip-on mic
Click to expand...

Seems to me this type of mic would be omni-directional (picking up sounds from all directions). My brother and I are playing coop and really want to just use voice activation rather than push to talk. Does voice activation work well with these clip on mics ? Seems any noise in the room would set them off. Voice activation seems to be frowned upon, could that be because of all the people using the wrong type of mic for it ?

Obviously I don't have experience yet in this area, but the unidirectional mics that come on decent gaming headsets seem ideal for using voice activation and for keeping out background noise in general. We've got a pair of Sennheiser 161s on the way, we are going to see how they work out.
 
Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy
Other than that, it's a good mic. Just pair it up with some good headphones (I'm using a pair of AudioTechnica ATH-A700s) and you're golden. Much better solution than a typical "gaming headset".
Click to expand...

Those are the headphones I have. I really wish there was a microphone with a suction cup so I could make them like a headset.
 
The idea of a quality boom type microphone designed to attach to typical headphones sounds like a product that should be made by someone. It is hard to believe it is not out there somewhere.
 
Originally posted by: Oakenfold
Originally posted by: sushicide

I hate those boom mics on headsets because people always position it under their nostrils and they just love breathing into the damn thing.
Click to expand...

Funny how people don't use the "push to talk key" do they? That really is irritating!
Click to expand...

if im using a mic i use my headphones at the same time - but you can still use speakers and a mic and not have your voice come through the speakers, just mute the mic output via your sound control panel - mic still works just doesnt output via your speakers.

 
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Originally posted by: Liet
You use speakers with a microphone? Ugh!

The instant I hear my own voice coming through someone else's mic transmissions I want to punch em in the internet face. 🙂
Click to expand...

99% of the time I never hear my own voice coming through. I just learn to wait to speak until everyone else done. I've never gotten any complaints on sound quality. I would like a nice headset though. I guess time to save up. MMM pr0n without having to turn down the speakers lol.
Click to expand...

I normally try not to JO while on ventrilo/teamspeak but thats just me
 
Originally posted by: coldmeat
Originally posted by: CoinOperatedBoy
Other than that, it's a good mic. Just pair it up with some good headphones (I'm using a pair of AudioTechnica ATH-A700s) and you're golden. Much better solution than a typical "gaming headset".
Click to expand...

Those are the headphones I have. I really wish there was a microphone with a suction cup so I could make them like a headset.
Click to expand...

A mic with a suction cup? I guess I don't understand. The Zalman clip-on fits perfectly on the headphone cable and you can position it right at jawline.
 
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