Standalone microphone - good for gaming?

Micah

Senior member
Dec 30, 2000
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Hi,

I'm trying to transition into voice-chat for online gaming, and I need a microphone. I could get a mic/headset, but I don't really like the idea of wearing headphones for long periods.

Would a good quality desktop mic work? I was thinking of this Logitech mic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836111602

Would these pick up voice quality well, or would it just pick up sound from the speakers?

Any opinions from people using desktop mics would be greatly appreciated!

Micah
 

oogabooga

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2003
7,806
3
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Having a headset with mic i think is generally better. For things like CS / vent / teamspeak it's easier and just overall less complicated. Your sound settings are easier to setup since the mic will always generally be in the same place (as opposed to your location varying relative to the mic on a desktop mic).

i would go for something like the plantronics audio-20 (i think it is) where it's a monoset. So it's like the headset used with telephones. They dont even have to be worn over the ear really or you could just wear them around your neck.

of course this isn't to say a desktop mic -wouldn't- work. I used one for quite a while but i found that overall mics on headsets (worn however) are easiest to use.

Atm i use a sennhesier pc150 (i think it is.. heh) and have my vent sent through my onboard audio( the headset) while all my other audio is sent through my audigy (z560's)
 

Finns14

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2005
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Yeah what was said is pretty accurate deasktop mic will increase backround noise which is terrible your teamate and you will have to be generally louder to be heard

I bought my altec lansing headphone for $40 I think they are a decent set they get used like 4+ hrs a day(not just for gaming) but usaully your gunna have to spend more than that to get a real quality headset/mic combo


:Edit: I saw that you want to use desktop mic and speaker combo for gaming that is probably the worst setup ever you get alot of echoing and static for any type of gaming I high advise don't do this
 

whitelight

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2001
3,505
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i have the logitech gaming headset and it works great (you don't notice it at all) for about four hours, and then my ears start to fatigue. but by that time, i need a break from the pc anyway.
 

Zelmo3

Senior member
Dec 24, 2003
772
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A desktop microphone is going to have a lot of trouble picking up your voice unless you use an unnatural amount of gain (which would require special equipment, and would also amplify any background noise). Headsets are really the only way to effectively isolate your voice.
 

Griffinhart

Golden Member
Dec 7, 2004
1,130
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The nature of desktop mikes are that they pick up a lot of ambient noise.

Headset mikes are extremely close to your mouth, so they are tuned to not pick up ambient sounds. A desktop mike, on the other hand, will pick up your voice, the sound of the TV in the background, and it will even pick up the sound from the game you are playing. It's particularilly annoying to other players who end up hearing their own voices being picked up.

That said, they can be used but, you would really need to use the "Push to talk" function. But, that can be a pain in gaming.

Originally, I didn't want to wear a headset either. I've since picked up a Plantronic's Headset.

I payed around $30 for it and it's very decent. It's comfortable over long use and sounds great. The mike is excellent too. I, personally, can't use headphones for long periods of time. My ears get sore after 30 minutes. I haven't had a problem with this set.
 

Ichigo

Platinum Member
Sep 1, 2005
2,158
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Name one headset that is better than my HD280's. I really need a standalone mic.
 

linjy2

Senior member
Jun 30, 2005
319
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76
i use a desk mic, but i do the push to talk function through vent.

headphones make my ear hurt after awhile and sweaty. also are headphone w/mics even compareble to sound quality? most of those headphones w/mic look so crappy. only one i would consider are the Sennheiser, but i never tried one with a mic.
 

flyboy84

Golden Member
Jul 21, 2004
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Delta Force 2 came with this great headset. It had NO speakers, just the mic. So in other words, there was a headband going over the top of your head, and 2 rubber things that went on top (not over) your ears, and then you had the mic come down in front of your mouth. I dunno if you can buy one like that though.