There is a whole range of gaming headsets, from wired to Bluetooth, stereo or surround models. But it is also possible to turn an ordinary headset into a gaming headset. Some online gaming enthusiasts, occasional or regular, want to use their usual headphones to play games, thus making valuable savings by avoiding buying a second headset. Several solutions allow you to add a microphone to an audio headset and use it in a video game environment.
It is possible to use an audio headset for gaming. Depending on the player model, a microphone can be assigned. We can consider three categories of microphones that can be used for gaming.
Lavalier Microphones
These wired microphones have the simplest operation available. Equipped with a 3.5 mm jack, they hang on the cable or on the helmet neck. They are generally multi-directional, meaning they can pick up sounds from all directions, especially since they move at the same time as the player’s head. These microphones have the downside of their qualities as they also capture all the ambient noise; they are therefore difficult to use in a noisy atmosphere, such as e.g. B. next to a household member watching a television program.
boom mics
This is the type of built-in microphone most commonly found in gaming headsets. Sold separately, they can be adapted to traditional headphones.
They can be divided into two main families according to their attachment system:
- the universal boom microphone: a proprietary attachment system that adapts to all models of audio headphones; it has the advantage of being interchangeable and being able to switch from one helmet to another in a few seconds;
- The boom microphone with 3.5mm jack tip: This boom microphone is equipped with a 3.5mm jack socket at its base, which can be plugged into a headphone with a female jack socket. This is the case with most Bluetooth headphones and some HiFi headphones.
The boom takes the form of a plastic sleeve or a rod made of finely articulated metal parts and allows finding the perfect positioning of the microphone towards the corners of the lips (thus avoiding the breath). These microphones are typically unidirectional, meaning they only pick up sound from one direction. They are also often equipped with a filter system. Because they only pick up voice and not ambient noise, they’re perfect for noisy gaming and competitions.
stand microphones
This type of accessory is appreciated by some gamers who use it for chatting and streaming. They are usually equipped with several capsules, each of which has a different directivity: unidirectional (a single person) or bidirectional (with two people facing each other). These microphone models are known for being easy to use and offering excellent value for money. And while they don’t attach directly to the helmet, they help transform it into true quality gaming gear.
For gamers, microphone audio quality is very important as it improves communication and helps team cohesion. It allows you to be understood clearly and quickly. However, standalone microphones that are dedicated to recording are more efficient and offer better sound quality than those built into gaming headsets.
The best models offer advanced functionalities as well as infinite shooting possibilities (many shooting modes, etc.) with maximum resolutions and very good quality both in terms of construction and shooting.
Click here to discover the best microphones