Grim Views

Someone in the know.  Why is it I can use the onboard mic on my mac with mumble and have no issues but the minute I switch over to a headset mic, I get static or robot voice or a whole other host of issues.  And only with the headset mic.

I think its the mic brand but I really don't have many options since Logitech is shit and stopped making the headset I really like.  It seems related to the volume control being on the wire of the headset since when I switch to it, instant problems.  I always have issues with headsets with volume control like this.

Suggestions anyone?

USB external or regular connectors going through an adapter (unless you've got a line level mic connected to the Mac, which I doubt) ?

A pure USB rig won't have any problems at all. I've seen interactions between the adapter (iMic for example) and the headsets because they are all getting in the way of the electrical stuffs. I'd set all the controls on the mic itself to max and then adjust it through the system prefs.

Could also be the adapter going bad, seen that too.

What's the brand? I use iMic and a Sennheiser headset with a volume control on the knob and don't seem to have any problems (unless people just aren't telling me I sound like Optimus Prime...).

Yichimet wrote:(unless people just aren't telling me I sound like Optimus Prime...).

you mean soundwave, for the win

Depends. If it's static, then it's probably an analog connection, so check the jacks and plugs for crud.

If it plugs into the USB, and you sound like Mr. Roboto, then it may be hardware related. I've also had some rare cases where static, when piped through a voice codec, makes you sound robot-y...but I don't know if Speex does that.

Best is if I could (or someone else) give it a listen. Hearing what you sound like can help troubleshoot the problem.

It's a microsoft headset (only option available at the time) and the problem seems random.  I'll be going fine then say something and get "robot!" calls in mumble.  Closing the program and reopening fixes this.  The headset is currently plugged in via my keyboard but I could try putting it into the usb on the mac itself.  I just tend to leave it open for my external drive and other various bits of hardware I swap as needed.

I think the static is only if I knock the mic by accident now that I think about it.

Try bumping the mic. Then it's probably a short there. Since you have a Mac, I also have used my Jawbone bluetooth headset as a audio in as well. Works pretty well...

Pincus wrote: Try bumping the mic. Then it's probably a short there. Since you have a Mac, I also have used my Jawbone bluetooth headset as a audio in as well. Works pretty well...

So I have now tried rotating the mic through all 4 of my ports.  Same issue, I randomly go robot.  I think I have it narrowed down to the headset itself because it seems to happen most when I catch that lame volume control box on the arm of my chair and pull it when I move my head.

Thus volume control on the wire is retarded and I need to source out a new headset.  Suggestions that won't break my bank account and aren't wireless.

http://www.amazon.ca/Plantronics-GameCo ... 381&sr=8-1

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/periph ... -headset/3

I think some of them have the in-line remote.... but frankly that's what you are going to get.  I believe the problem is Logitech, after browsing the interwebs.  While browsing, I also remembered I kind of had some problem with static on Teamspeak when I first moved to Tampa; I had one of those back of the head Logitech "gaming headsets" with the volume control on the cord.  Sometimes I'd throw it behind my back (HUGE cord!) and I would be told I would get very robot!

Honestly, I use an el-cheapo Platronics USB+headset setup. Works well for me, and I think you people can hear me fairly well.