First, let me point out that Steam has a procedure to optimize voice in multiplayer games. I tried to list the link, but it didn't work. It is in their support pages.
I have repeatedly tested this procedure from scratch on 3 accounts and 4 computers many times over 3 days. I can't get it to cause any type of problem. I asked Steam to look at it, but they have not responded. I guess I can't blame them as it does not effect the programming of their games.
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I had to significantly reduce static from my microphone while at the same time increasing my volume. Based on feedback from others, this procedure worked pretty well for me. I hope that it helps you too. Please let me know if you find any errors or changes that need to be made to this procedure. It should work well for most (most microphones are of a generic design), but there are always a few that require something more unique.
*** Connection (plug-in microphone only)
Make sure the microphone is plugged into the microphone port and not the line input.
*** Placement (most microphones)
Position the microphone so that you are not breathing directly into it. Do not rest the microphone on your skin (chin, cheek, etc), as most movement will cause noise.
***Setting the Sound Procedure
First: The following procedure should be done with the room sounds set to about what they will be while you are playing. If the room sounds are too loud, then there is little you can do about it.
Second: If you are currently playing the game, please exit it completely before continuing. Changes to the voice settings in the game itself are temporary. This procedure must be done only with “STEAM”. The “STEAM” settings actually change the settings on your PC.
1.) Open “STEAM”
2.) Click on “Settings”
3.) Click on “Voice”
4.) Uncheck “Boost microphone gain”. Few systems actually need this and it was the main reason for static on my microphone. The boost increases the sensitivity and is often unstable for sudden discussions like we have during game play. You may need it on, but try it off first.
NOTE: The “Boost microphone gain” can only be changed if you are NOT doing the Microphone Test.
NOTE: I have my “Receive volume” set about 3/4 of the way up. This is so you won’t hear or react to small sounds.
5.) Start with the “Microphone volume” set in the middle.
6.) Press “Test Microphone”.
NOTE: Any changes in the “Microphone volume” setting at this point may take a couple of seconds to stabilize, so be patient.
7.) Make sure that you are not hearing your breathing very loudly. If you are, make sure you are not breathing directly into the microphone.
8.) If you hear static, make sure the “Boost microphone gain” is unchecked. You must temporarily exit the test to change this. If this is still a problem, then try reducing the “Microphone volume”. If this is STILL a problem, try moving the cord. This may indicate a problem with the microphone itself. Many cords break at the connector or at the headphone itself. This is because the cord is stressed against a fixed nomovable location.
9.) Read a paragraph aloud while talking into the microphone and watch the bars. Try to ignore your voice at first. Set the “Microphone volume” so that the red bars to the far right barely appear (if at all). If you find that you have to turn up the volume toward the maximum level, you may need to turn on the microphone boost at this time.
10.) Now read the paragraph again and listen to yourself at the same time. This is not as easy as it sounds because of the delay. Adjust the “Microphone volume” so that it sounds best to you without static. It should not sound loud, but should sound clear. My “Microphone volume” is set pretty low to about 1/5 of the max. I still detect a VERY slight amount of static at this point when not talking.
11.) Stop the test by clicking on “Stop the microphone test”.
12.) Enter the game.
13.) Test your microphone with others in the game. Do NOT rely on just one person as their “Receive” setting may not be setup best to hear everyone. You will most likely NOT sound great to everyone, but everyone should be able to hear you.
***Further Adjustments
14.) If you need to make further adjustments, then do NOT use the settings in the game as these are not stored settings.
15.) Exit the game completely, (For the programmers: I believe this is due to conflicts with the driver memory space and temporary program variables).
16.) Go back into STEAM – Settings – Voice and make your changes there with the information you got while testing with other people during the game.
17.) Re-Enter the game and try again.
18.) If this does not help, then PM me or ask others for help in the tech forum and we will try to help you out.
*** Technical Stuff
Most of our microphones are not intended to give you CD quality sound even if you choose that type of setting in the configurations. Depending on the combination, you may sound a bit tinny or flat to others. The goal is for others to hear and understand you. This also has to do with the sampling rate and other aspects of the program itself that I won’t go into here. There may be other types of settings in your Windows configuration through the Control Panel and driver, but this is an area that may be best to stay away from. I don’t want to interfere with other programs that your computer is setup for.
I have repeatedly tested this procedure from scratch on 3 accounts and 4 computers many times over 3 days. I can't get it to cause any type of problem. I asked Steam to look at it, but they have not responded. I guess I can't blame them as it does not effect the programming of their games.
****************************
I had to significantly reduce static from my microphone while at the same time increasing my volume. Based on feedback from others, this procedure worked pretty well for me. I hope that it helps you too. Please let me know if you find any errors or changes that need to be made to this procedure. It should work well for most (most microphones are of a generic design), but there are always a few that require something more unique.
*** Connection (plug-in microphone only)
Make sure the microphone is plugged into the microphone port and not the line input.
*** Placement (most microphones)
Position the microphone so that you are not breathing directly into it. Do not rest the microphone on your skin (chin, cheek, etc), as most movement will cause noise.
***Setting the Sound Procedure
First: The following procedure should be done with the room sounds set to about what they will be while you are playing. If the room sounds are too loud, then there is little you can do about it.
Second: If you are currently playing the game, please exit it completely before continuing. Changes to the voice settings in the game itself are temporary. This procedure must be done only with “STEAM”. The “STEAM” settings actually change the settings on your PC.
1.) Open “STEAM”
2.) Click on “Settings”
3.) Click on “Voice”
4.) Uncheck “Boost microphone gain”. Few systems actually need this and it was the main reason for static on my microphone. The boost increases the sensitivity and is often unstable for sudden discussions like we have during game play. You may need it on, but try it off first.
NOTE: The “Boost microphone gain” can only be changed if you are NOT doing the Microphone Test.
NOTE: I have my “Receive volume” set about 3/4 of the way up. This is so you won’t hear or react to small sounds.
5.) Start with the “Microphone volume” set in the middle.
6.) Press “Test Microphone”.
NOTE: Any changes in the “Microphone volume” setting at this point may take a couple of seconds to stabilize, so be patient.
7.) Make sure that you are not hearing your breathing very loudly. If you are, make sure you are not breathing directly into the microphone.
8.) If you hear static, make sure the “Boost microphone gain” is unchecked. You must temporarily exit the test to change this. If this is still a problem, then try reducing the “Microphone volume”. If this is STILL a problem, try moving the cord. This may indicate a problem with the microphone itself. Many cords break at the connector or at the headphone itself. This is because the cord is stressed against a fixed nomovable location.
9.) Read a paragraph aloud while talking into the microphone and watch the bars. Try to ignore your voice at first. Set the “Microphone volume” so that the red bars to the far right barely appear (if at all). If you find that you have to turn up the volume toward the maximum level, you may need to turn on the microphone boost at this time.
10.) Now read the paragraph again and listen to yourself at the same time. This is not as easy as it sounds because of the delay. Adjust the “Microphone volume” so that it sounds best to you without static. It should not sound loud, but should sound clear. My “Microphone volume” is set pretty low to about 1/5 of the max. I still detect a VERY slight amount of static at this point when not talking.
11.) Stop the test by clicking on “Stop the microphone test”.
12.) Enter the game.
13.) Test your microphone with others in the game. Do NOT rely on just one person as their “Receive” setting may not be setup best to hear everyone. You will most likely NOT sound great to everyone, but everyone should be able to hear you.
***Further Adjustments
14.) If you need to make further adjustments, then do NOT use the settings in the game as these are not stored settings.
15.) Exit the game completely, (For the programmers: I believe this is due to conflicts with the driver memory space and temporary program variables).
16.) Go back into STEAM – Settings – Voice and make your changes there with the information you got while testing with other people during the game.
17.) Re-Enter the game and try again.
18.) If this does not help, then PM me or ask others for help in the tech forum and we will try to help you out.
*** Technical Stuff
Most of our microphones are not intended to give you CD quality sound even if you choose that type of setting in the configurations. Depending on the combination, you may sound a bit tinny or flat to others. The goal is for others to hear and understand you. This also has to do with the sampling rate and other aspects of the program itself that I won’t go into here. There may be other types of settings in your Windows configuration through the Control Panel and driver, but this is an area that may be best to stay away from. I don’t want to interfere with other programs that your computer is setup for.
