0

I have an USB headset (Plantronics Rig 500 HD) with a microphone on Windows 10. The microphone can only be configured for 2-channel (stereo) sampling in Windows sound controls. When I use programs like TeamSpeak, Discord, or Audacity the audio is clear and understandable. When using non-primary-audio programs, like computer games, I have been told that the audio is distorted, and that my voice sound "demon-like".

If I go into Audacity and change the recording mode to mono, the recording does indeed become distorted in such a manner.

My hypothesis is that some programs somehow simply acquire a mono input from the microphone (which is distorted) rather than the correct stereo input.

I already use Equalizer APO with Reafir plugin to increase my mic volume (USB headsets microphone are notorious for low mic volume), and to eliminate noise. I have tried disabling Equalizer APO but that changes nothing. I tried adding the two stereo channels to L and eliminating R to get mono on L; however, the result is distorted. Each individual stereo channel L, R seems "complete" and clear by itself though.

How do I get non-distorted microphone recording for all applications?

Improve this question
2
  • Pure guess: You're set to 48kHz. Switch to 44.1
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Sep 28, 2019 at 16:56
  • Going between 48kHz and 44.1 changes nothing, unfortunately.
    – senevoldsen
    Commented Sep 28, 2019 at 17:02

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0

I found a "solution" / workaround. But it requires two other applications: Virtual Audio Cable and Voicemeeter. My approach is that:

  • Voicemeeter takes input from the microphone and forwards it in mono-mode to one of the virtual cables. The resulting mono is not distorted.
  • Set the virtual cable to the default microphone / communications device so applications that is not audio-focused pick up the mono source instead.
Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .