Help: Two people gaming/mic in the same room.

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bandit390

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I finally got my wife's computer setup and we started gaming together. Everything is great except when it comes to our mics. We currently use discord to chat during games, but the other person's mic is picking up both of our voices and creates an echo. I use a blue yeti and she uses a cheap logitech desk mic. Mine is set on directional and we have played around with the gain/etc, but the echo is always there. What can we do other than turning the gain super low and speaking very close into our mics?

We have tried gaming headsets where the mic is close to your mouth and none of them are comfortable. We tried logitech 933 and Sennheiser game zero/one. Currently, she has been using dt-990 headphones, and I have been using shure 215 earphones.
 
Could add some unidirectional modmics to the headphones you already find comfortable. Massdrop has them going for 35 for another day it seems.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/antlion-modmic-4

I use one with my AKG K550s (remarkably comfortable for those of us with larger helmet sizes) for team gaming and the noise cancellation is good. Don't know if it will necessarily solve your problem, though.

Another approach could be using a different 'sound card' or usb sound pod as it were. I like the Andrea usb 'sound cards' because they feature good software based noise reduction and echo cancellation (both can be toggled on or off) with their audio commander software.

https://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Communications-C1-1021450-100-USB-SA-Microphone/dp/B003VW5Q08/
https://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Communications-Headset-Adapter-C1-1030300-1/dp/B01BLFY8XC/

I use the above one, but the lower one seems to be newer, less expensive model with the same specs. If it still allows the use of Andrea's audio commander software, it could be the better value and might just help you out.
 
I suppose putting the computer setups across the room isn't an option? One at the left wall, the other at the right.
 
As far as I can see, you have a few options:

1) As you mentioned, you can use a headset like the Logitech 933 or the Razer Tiamat (insert any equivalent Corsair or Astro heaset in this category). This is likely going to be one of the simplest solutions to your problem. I'd go to a Best Buy/Frys and try on a bunch of headsets until you find something you like. I use a Logitech Artemis (933) most of the time and am quite happy with it. As far as comfort goes, I'd steer clear of leather/pleather-like pads as they will start to heat up/make you sweat during longer sessions.

2) Like John721 said above, you could use a Modmic to complement a headset that you already find comfortable. The difference here is that, as I understand it, the modmic uses a 3.5mm trs plug, which means you would need that particular input to be free in addition to a separate 3.5mm trs for headphones (if they require it).

3) Invest in higher-quality Microphones. I'm not sure about your wife's mic, but the Blue Yeti is a Bidirectional mic, meaning that its pickup pattern isn't conducive to isolating sound sources. It will pick up sound sources in a figure-8 pattern, which is why it has become popular for cheaper podcasting/interviews. You would want something in the cardioid family like an Audio Technica AT2035, but this involves a new level of investment.

4) Audio isolation. Like I said, your mic employs a bidirectional pickup pattern. Depending on the distance between your computers and the direction each mic is facing, you might be able to employ some form of acoustic isolation to minimize the effect at most gain levels. Cheaper foam can be had on Amazon for ~$25 for 24sq ft. You would put the foam in-between you and your wife as well as behind each mic. Honeslty, this is probably more trouble than it is worth and, unless you take the time to properly install it, will look very ghetto.

My vote is for option #1 which is the most user-friendly, and reasonably cheap. My wife and I both use the Logitech 933 Artemis headphones and game ~6 feet away from one another most of the time.
 
How would the 3.5mm plugs be conflicting, 3.5mm in and 3.5mm out are different ports, out is green in is pink...
 
Wade88 said:
How would the 3.5mm plugs be conflicting, 3.5mm in and 3.5mm out are different ports, out is green in is pink...
Click to expand...

3.5m plugs conflict when there is only one port. It is rare, but some old motherboards and most laptops only have a single TRRS port for handling both a microphone and headset/speakers. Not concern for the majority of us, but it could be an unforeseen issue. It's likely that the OP's wife has a computer similar to his, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
 
Well, he said he got it set up this implies a custom built desktop and not a laptop so I think it'll be fine.
 
If you have some money to toss around, getting a Sennheiser PC 630VB might be an option, as it's a closed headset w/a built-in mic on the cord, and a variable bass knob. Having used the 630 with my gaming laptop on numerous occasions, it gets the job done with no crosstalk, even when others are in the same room I'm in. IMO it compares quite well against it's "relatives" the PC 600/660/6XX line, and the ability to increase/decrease bass is a nice touch for those bored with the neutral signature of the 6 line.
 
I bought some modmics and no more issues. Also moved our desks another 2 feet apart, and are about 8 feet apart in total.

We are sticking with mics always on and haven't experienced any echos or picking up sound from our open headphones.
 
Krixon said:
As far as I can see, you have a few options:

1) As you mentioned, you can use a headset like the Logitech 933 or the Razer Tiamat (insert any equivalent Corsair or Astro heaset in this category). This is likely going to be one of the simplest solutions to your problem. I'd go to a Best Buy/Frys and try on a bunch of headsets until you find something you like. I use a Logitech Artemis (933) most of the time and am quite happy with it. As far as comfort goes, I'd steer clear of leather/pleather-like pads as they will start to heat up/make you sweat during longer sessions.

2) Like John721 said above, you could use a Modmic to complement a headset that you already find comfortable. The difference here is that, as I understand it, the modmic uses a 3.5mm trs plug, which means you would need that particular input to be free in addition to a separate 3.5mm trs for headphones (if they require it).

3) Invest in higher-quality Microphones. I'm not sure about your wife's mic, but the Blue Yeti is a Bidirectional mic, meaning that its pickup pattern isn't conducive to isolating sound sources. It will pick up sound sources in a figure-8 pattern, which is why it has become popular for cheaper podcasting/interviews. You would want something in the cardioid family like an Audio Technica AT2035, but this involves a new level of investment.

4) Audio isolation. Like I said, your mic employs a bidirectional pickup pattern. Depending on the distance between your computers and the direction each mic is facing, you might be able to employ some form of acoustic isolation to minimize the effect at most gain levels. Cheaper foam can be had on Amazon for ~$25 for 24sq ft. You would put the foam in-between you and your wife as well as behind each mic. Honeslty, this is probably more trouble than it is worth and, unless you take the time to properly install it, will look very ghetto.

My vote is for option #1 which is the most user-friendly, and reasonably cheap. My wife and I both use the Logitech 933 Artemis headphones and game ~6 feet away from one another most of the time.
Click to expand...

I was about to suggest getting a cardioid/supercardioid microphone too. But that's an investment of 99-150 bucks at minimum.
 
cardioid mics and glue some auralex foam on a flat board with wheels. just roll the auralex aside when not is use.

can also put some auralex behind the mic to capture the sound before it reflects and echos.

you may even be able to get away without the auralex wall if your absorbing the reflections before it reaches the other mic.
 
B00nie said:
I was about to suggest getting a cardioid/supercardioid microphone too. But that's an investment of 99-150 bucks at minimum.
Click to expand...

Exactly. It can get expensive very quickly, especially if you have to add in cables, audio interfaces, pop-filters, etc. You could easily spend $1000 without realizing it.
 
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