What to Look for in a Gaming Microphone

Read about key features to consider when choosing a gaming microphone. From sound quality to design, learn how to select the perfect gaming mic.

When it comes to gaming, audio quality can make or break the experience. Whether you're deep in a competitive match, chatting with friends, or streaming your gameplay, having a solid microphone is crucial. But with so many options out there, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Do you need noise cancellation? What about mic patterns and durability?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to pick the best gaming microphone for your setup, so you can focus on what really matters: the game. Let’s dive into the features that will elevate your audio game to the next level.

Microphone Types

Microphones come in many types, but not all are suitable for gaming setups. Dynamic, condenser, and headset microphones are the three most popular types of gaming mics, and understanding their differences will help you make the best choice for your needs. The type of microphone largely determines how it captures sound, which is important for both your gaming experience and streaming quality.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic microphones use a moving coil to capture sound. A moving coil works like an electrical generator, powering the microphone without needing additional electrical sources. They’re generally more durable and less sensitive than condenser mics, making them ideal for environments where there's a lot of background noise.

The downside with this mic type, however, is that they may not be able to capture the most detailed sound as they offer less clarity. And because they have lower sensitivity, you’ll have to speak closer to the microphone for optimal volume.

These would be rather less-than-deal for gaming and streaming. However, there is a better type for you: condenser mics.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser mics use a capacitor to capture sound. These are much more sensitive and provide high-quality audio capture, making them ideal for professional use, like streaming or podcasting.

Consequently, they are more sensitive to background noise that you may have going on. However, this is easily solvable with our Sonar Software, which is designed for our Alias microphones. Sonar for Streamers is specifically designed for content creators, but even if you just want to sound better when playing with friends, you can always take advantage of the powerful AI Noise Cancellation feature to pretty much completely eliminate any unwanted sounds.

It's the perfect companion for your condenser microphone, which will pick up the rich, nuanced qualities of your voice, and filter out the rest thanks to Sonar.

Key Features to Consider

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Sound Quality and Frequency Response

Sound quality encompasses several elements, but the key aspects you want to focus on for gaming microphones are clarity and natural voice reproduction. Frequency response is an important aspect of sound quality to consider as it represents the range of frequencies a microphone can capture, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).

Most gaming microphones fall within the range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which covers the full spectrum of human hearing. However, some models have tailored frequency responses that specifically enhance vocal clarity by emphasizing frequencies around 100 Hz to 10 kHz, which is where most of our voices reside.

To get the best sound quality and frequency response in your gaming microphone, here’s what you should look for:

A wide frequency response range, ideally 20Hz to 20kHz.
Good noise rejection to isolate your voice from background distractions.
A microphone that enhances mid-range frequencies to ensure your voice comes through clearly without distortion.

Connectivity Options: USB vs. XLR

When it comes to connecting your microphone, you have a few options. USB and XLR are the two primary connection options, but the one you pick depends mostly on your setup and personal preferences.

USB Microphones

USB microphones are a popular choice due to their plug-and-play capabilities. They’re simple, convenient, and easy to use. They also don’t require additional equipment like a separate audio interface or mixer because they’re outfitted with them already.

Whether you’re a casual gamer, a streamer, or you travel a lot and want to game on the go, USB microphones are probably the right option for you due to their portability, ease of setup, user-friendliness, and less investment.

This is exactly what we offer with Alias, which is incredibly easy-to-use; simply plug it in via USB-C for incredible mic quality.

XLR Microphones

XLR gaming microphones are another great option, but for different reasons. XLR mics are typically used by professional content creators, musicians, and streamers who want the highest possible sound quality and greater flexibility. They offer superior audio quality performance but can require audio mixers or interfaces to function properly.

XLR mics typically have higher sound fidelity and better signal quality than their USB counterparts. They also typically have better dynamic range, lower self-noise, and more detailed audio capture. Additionally, if you plan on investing in additional audio equipment, this is going to be the best option for scalability. While these mics may come with higher costs, ultimately, you’ll end up with overall better audio quality.

This is easily solved with Alias Pro, which is an XLR mic with an included XLR Stream Mixer. Featuring customizable controls an RGB, it's a great companion on the desk of any casual, semi-serious, or professional streamer and content creator.

Onboard Volume Controls

Onboard volume controls are a convenient feature to have in a gaming microphone, especially during intense gaming sessions or live streaming. These controls allow you to adjust the mic’s volume or mute it quickly without needing to interact with software or external hardware. Here are some controls to look for in your gaming microphone:

With Alias, you have a gain knob right on the mic and a mute button for when you need to be silent. Note though that gain levels are shown with useful LEDs right on the mic front, so you can easily monitor if you're too quiet or in the danger of hurting your viewers' ears
On the Alias Pro, all the useful controls are on the Stream Mixer, including a Mic and Mute button as well as gain and volume knobs. You can customize some of the control functions and the RGB lighting with SteelSeries Engine.

Noise Cancellation Features

As the name suggests, noise cancellation is a feature designed to reduce or eliminate unwanted background sounds. This may be incredibly important to you if you plan to game or stream in a noisy environment.

There are two main types of noise cancellation: active noise cancellation (ANC) and passive noise cancellation (PNC). ANC actively uses opposing sound waves to cancel out ambient noise, while PNC relies on the microphone's design, such as a cardioid pickup pattern, to focus on your voice and reject sounds from the sides and rear.

Many gaming microphones come with built-in noise-canceling technologies, such as noise suppression and noise gates, which can further improve clarity by reducing unwanted ambient sounds like keyboard clicks or background chatter.

Wireless gaming mics sometimes face challenges with interference, but high-quality wireless connections can maintain clarity without compromising on noise cancellation. For the best experience, look for microphones with noise-canceling features that suit your environment, whether you’re playing casually or streaming professionally.