A headset is an important tool in becoming more immersed in games or providing a clearer experience when it comes to communication. Headsets are particularly popular with gamers, who require the products to appreciate the atmosphere created by game developers and to speak to fellow teammates. Thankfully, Microsoft has always made it super-easy to hook one up and get everything working in Windows.
How to set up your headset on Windows 10
To use a headset, you're going to have to plug it in. Simple, we know, but it's easy to get this step wrong if you're not familiar with available ports for audio on a PC. This can be achieved by hooking up the end of the cable on the headset to an available port on a PC or connecting it via wireless. Here are the options for headset owners:
- 3.5mm jack: Older and more affordable headsets usually have the cable split at the end with two 3.5mm jacks, one for audio out and the other for the microphone. (Pink for the microphone, green for the headset.)
- USB: USB-powered headsets offer enhanced experiences thanks to inline amps, controls, and other features though in terms of quality there isn't a huge gap between USB and 3.5mm jacks.
- Wireless: Whether it be Bluetooth or requires a dedicated USB wireless receiver, these headsets remove all cables between and your computer, allowing you to sit more comfortably without fear of creating a tangled mess.
Depending on the case and motherboard installed on a desktop PC, there may be available ports on or near the front of the chassis, which could prove useful if you have a short cable or have no free ports on the rear. The most important factor in terms of sound quality will be the soundcard on your motherboard, comparing it against a dedicated digital-to-analog converter (DAC).
Checking sound output in Windows 10
Once you have the headset connected to the PC, it's time to make sure Windows has sound levels and the like set up and configured correctly. Firstly, we need to check Windows has the headset selected as the default output device.
Samson GoMic - Driver Download. Updating your drivers with Driver Alert can help your computer in a number of ways. From adding new functionality and improving performance, to fixing a major bug. The Go Mic has a unique fold-up design, that can fit in your pocket or throw it in your laptop bag, making it ideal for professional recordings anywhere you Go! 'Despite the Samson Go Mic being nearly 10 years old, it’s still one of the best USB microphones out there.this little mic is great for the traveling vlogger or beginning content creator.'
- Left-click the sound icon in the taskbar.
-
Select the sound device in the drop-down menu.
- Choose the connected headset.
This could have in brackets either USB or the brand and model of the onboard motherboard audio — it depends on which connection type the headset utilizes. It's possible to rename each entry on this list to make it easier for you to decipher which is which. (See below how to rename a connected sound output.)
Now we'll need to test the output to make sure we've selected the correct device and everything is working perfectly. You can do this by firing up some media on the PC, or utilize the test function in Windows.
- Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar.
- Select Open sound settings.
- Choose Sound control panel on the right.
-
Select the headphones (should have a green tick).
- Hit Properties. (You can rename this sound output right here to make it easier at switching.)
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Hit the test button.
If you hear sound through the headphones, you're good to go. If not, check if you have the correct device selected for sound output, and that the headset itself is plugged in (we've all be in the position where something doesn't work because it isn't physically connected).
Record your voice
After that, we need to select the microphone as the default input device and make sure the volume is turned up. To do this, we run through similar steps carried out for the headphones.
- Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar.
- Select Open sound settings.
- Choose Sound control panel on the right.
- Select the Recording tab.
-
Choose the microphone.
- Hit Set as default.
-
Fm 17 editor download. Open the Properties window.
- Select the Levels tab.
- Adjust the volume accordingly.
Be sure to fire up your favorite VoIP app (Discord is a great option) or recording software to test the microphone out. Some applications can take full control of the microphone and adjust levels accordingly, while others allow you to manipulate the volume within the software suite to save you from opening this recording window each and every time.
Troubleshooting Windows headset issues
Make sure you use the right ports
Is it plugged in? Have you utilized the correct port? For 3.5mm jacks, it's generally green for output and pink for input, depending on the available sound card. Mix those two up and nothing at all will happen. Newer motherboards come with numerous ports for surround sound, so you might need to hit up the manual for more details.
Auto detection could be playing up
OEM software could be interfering here. Should you have software like Realtek's HD Audio Manager, try disabling jack detection and see if that helps.
Re-installing drivers
If your headset isn't working, the problem might be in the drivers. Head to Device Manager and uninstall the drivers for the connected headset. Reboot the PC and connect the headset once again to let Windows reinstall them. Yes, it's the tried and true 'turn it off and on again' process, but it works.
Select different formats
If you're still unable to get anything, try selecting a different format for input/output in the property window (use the headset steps above).
Don't be muted
Depending on the brand and model of the headset, it may support controls located on the cable. Volume sliders and mute buttons are easily accessible here, but be sure they're set for use.
Try a different headset/device
To check whether the issue is with the headset (and not your PC), try using it on another PC or device. You could also try plugging in another headset if you have one at hand.
Our top headset recommendations
Value Pick
HyperX Cloud Alpha
Solid build quality and sound
HyperX made sure the Cloud Alpha sounds great for PC gamers with a dual-chamber driver design for optimal audio performance. They're also built to last. In fact, you could throw them around and they'd still sound just as good. Multi-platform compatibility and price are but the icing on this sweet cake.
The Cloud Alpha sports a detachable noise-cancellation microphone and braided cable with some mediocre in-line controls. The controls are rather flimsy, but at least they're there for quick access while in-game. Overall, not a bad headset for the price.
For Serious Gamers
SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
Amazing sound and comfort
The Steelseries Arctis Pro + GameDAC isn't the most affordable headset out there, but it's well worth the price. The excellent amp module allows for easy management of the device and the exceptional sound quality allows you to truly immerse yourself in-game.
The drivers housed inside the cups of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC are more than good enough for gaming, and the microphone handles communication with teammates. It's a quality Hi-Res certified headset for gamers and worth considering.
Entry headset
Samson Go Mic Reviews
Astro Gaming A10
Affordable gaming headset for PC
Astro makes some great headsets but this new entry-level model, the A10, is very compelling. It's affordable, wired and made from 'damage resistant polycarbonate' so it should be able to take a beating in your bag if you game on the road.
The design fits within Astro's family, with large cups that cover the ears and nice big comfy memory foam cushions. The microphone isn't retractable or detachable but does have a neat trick where it'll auto-mute when you flip it up against the side of your head.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Touchdown!
It's the first weekend of NFL season. Check out these must-see Windows apps
A new NFL season starts this week, and using just one screen isn't enough to get all of your football information.
- Hardware >Microphone
USB mics are nothing new, but the Samson Go Mic is probably the smallest and cutest I've seen to date. This metal-bodied mic, which measures just 70.5 x 43.5 x 23mm, employs a pair of back-to-back, cardioid, 10mm, back-electret capsules, so it can be switched between cardioid and omni patterns. Also novel is the combined mount and mic storage clip, which incorporates a swivel joint to let you set the mic at the required angle.
When not in use, the mic folds back into the clip, and the whole thing goes into a zip-up storage pouch that's no larger than the kind that would fit a pair of earbuds. Usefully, the mount has a standard European mic thread, so that it can be screwed onto a mic stand if necessary. Connection is via a miniature USB cable, and for monitoring there's a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack headphone output on the side of the mic. A three-position slide switch selects between the cardioid and omni patterns, and when in the centre position it gives a cardioid pattern with a 10dB pad. There's no level control on the headphone outlet, but this can usually be set in the recording software. Similarly, there's no way to control the output level from the mic, other than via the pad switch — but it seems ideally matched to the level of voices and acoustic guitars. Bring in the pad and it could also be used for smaller guitar amps, and possibly even drum overheads.
The mic is a USB class-compliant device, so it needs no drivers. Once selected from within my DAW software (in this case Logic 8), the mic became the source and appeared as a stereo input, with both channels carrying the same signal. For mono tracks, selecting either of the two inputs provides the necessary mono signal. Monitoring is in stereo and is simply the DAW output, so there's no direct 'zero latency' monitoring option. The headphone output on the mic gave subjectively the same sound quality as my Mac's own headphone output.
By way of recording performance, the mic has a fairly flat response, running from 80Hz to 18kHz in cardioid mode, and from 20Hz to 20kHz in omni mode. Used with fairly close sources, no significant background noise was evident. The maximum SPL handling of 121dB is lower than for most studio mics, but then this isn't a mic you'd choose to stick inside a kick drum! Spoken-word tests produced very clean and well-balanced results that belied the size of the mic, but to put it in context I'd say the sound quality was comparable to what you'd expect from a decent-quality pocket MP3 recorder with on-board mics. You don't quite get the depth you'd expect from a studio vocal mic, but the lack of deliberate coloration makes the mic very versatile. As a device for recording on the move, this mic is a real winner, and I love the physical design of the thing — though ideally I'd also like to see a stereo model. Paul White
£41.11 including VAT.