[Staal]

Hi, my name is Staal, and I'm addicted to pwning n00bs.
 
Now usually, when I'm getting my frag on, I'm using a Razer headset because it has a microphone. But owning several other headsets I'd rather use, that are simply without a mic, I was wondering - how do you guys solve this?
 
Are there any "standalone" microphones worth buying, so I can listen to sweet tunes while I'm busy in the battlefields? Any suggestions and recommendations are welcome. My main concern buying a standalone mic, is that I will get too much background noise in. I use a mechanical keyboard, which generates alot of noise (clickety-clack - you know what I mean). I figured if I get a standalone desktop microphone, my buddies will have to listen to me hammering away on the keyboard, which isn't really ideal.
 
What to do?

 

[Staal]

Bump

 

[Parak]

Have you looked into this thing?
 
You'll still probably get a bit of noise due to it being omnidirectional, but the sensitivity distance rolloff is probably large enough to make it insignificant compared to a desktop mic.

 

[Hifianddrumming]

^^ Listen to that. I got a chance to demo this, one of my friends has it. A little noise, but besides that audio came through very clear.

 

[crapmonster]

I use something similar but cheaper:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029MTMQ/
 
Quality obviously isn't amazing but its definitely acceptable for gaming or skype.  I also use mechanical keyboard (cherry browns on a leopold) and as far as I know, the mic doesn't pick it up.

 

[Elysian]

Get the Zalman mic.  If you have a good line/mic-in, you'll surprise your friends with how clear your voice sounds.  It's better than any sub-$100 headset mic I've used.
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320831806&sr=8-1
 
You can either clip it onto a thicker cord like the stock Grado cable, or just hang it over your neck if you don't feel like fixing it to your headphone cable.
 
It'll pick up some noise from mechanical keys, but most mics will.  I'd just use push-to-talk, as your friends probably don't want to hear you breathing into your mic for the entire call.

 

[Staal]

Will look into the mic thingie with the "glue" function. But that won't help me with the problem when using my custom IEMs tho. 
 
@Elysian - Gaming headset mics don't pick up breathing, as they are usually placed next to your mouth, not in front of it. Also, I don't have a third hand for a push-to-talk function. When I'm fraggin', I'm using both my hands

 

[Elysian]

I have my push-to-talk key mapped to v, so it's easy to press in an FPS without interrupting my game.
 
Maybe gaming headsets aren't prevalent then, because I've heard too many people get yelled at over vent and teamspeak to use push-to-talk and stop breathing into the mic like a pay-per-minute phone operator.

 

[Staal]

Never had that issue in our gaming sessions. Guess we place our mic better than you lot
 
I'd hate to have to "PTT", as we usually chat non-stop while playing. Guess it's an option tho.

 

[Elysian]

Yeah, if it's just with close friends, we do a Skype conference call without push-to-talk, as people tend to be more tolerant with folks they know.
 
PTT is just for strangers when it comes to a clan/guild, talking to people on public FPS servers, etc.

 

[gto23]

Hi guys i just recently upgraded my onboard sound  to a xonar D1, im balanced game/movie/music user in terms of % of use.My wallet cant afford anything more than 110€ and it would be great if it comes with microphone, headseat or headphone+mic.
 
Thanks.

 

[cheapfi]

If you were willing to use an adapter and make a wood base(or mount it on your keyboard) this vintage mic would be an epic win in style.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Astatic-Microphone-335H-GS-Gooseneck-Mic-/130796064949?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Microphones&hash=item1e740d90b5

 

[wolfmuffin]

My recommendation is a little left field, but I've used these before for this purpose and it works surprisingly well:
 
AT-2020 USB Condenser
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Audio-Technica-AT2020-USB-AT-2020-AT2020USB-USB-Mic-/190579621103
 
It's a little odd to use a studio condenser for gaming, but it actually ends up being cheaper than some of the more expensive "pro gamer" headsets anyway, and the sound quality is several orders of magnitude better. Using a cardioid polar pattern means that the isolation isn't that bad, and in the event that you actually want to record something you have the means to do that too.

 

[HalidePisces]

My recommendation is a little left field, but I've used these before for this purpose and it works surprisingly well:

AT-2020 USB Condenser
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Audio-Technica-AT2020-USB-AT-2020-AT2020USB-USB-Mic-/190579621103

It's a little odd to use a studio condenser for gaming, but it actually ends up being cheaper than some of the more expensive "pro gamer" headsets anyway, and the sound quality is several orders of magnitude better. Using a cardioid polar pattern means that the isolation isn't that bad, and in the event that you actually want to record something you have the means to do that too.

That's a very interesting suggestion. Though I'd go with the AT9901 or AT9904 due to size. The former is the stereo version and the latter is the monaural version.

Prices doesn't look too bad...
http://www.shopaudiotechnica.com/detail/TCL+AT9901
http://www.shopaudiotechnica.com/detail/TCL+AT9904

Here's a review for the AT9901:
http://jpstyle.blog6.fc2.com/blog-entry-250.html

An interesting thing to note is that AT9901 has a warning on it stating it cannot be used on a PC (due to the whole stereo microphone plug and most PCs having a monaural mic-in; read more about it HERE). However, the reviewer has used it just fine with no problems.

 

[vid]

Quote:

That's a very interesting suggestion. Though I'd go with the AT9901 or AT9904 due to size. The former is the stereo version and the latter is the monaural version.
Prices doesn't look too bad...
http://www.shopaudiotechnica.com/detail/TCL+AT9901
http://www.shopaudiotechnica.com/detail/TCL+AT9904

 
Or you could go really cheap and buy a no-brand electret capsule for about $1-2. For $2 you can probably get one that's been wired to a plug.
 
I've got several of those and they record speech well.