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Converting my gaming rig into a dual purpose machine

silverf0x

I've been using my computer pretty much only for gaming for the past few years but I want to morph it into a gaming/working PC, specifically sound-wise. By that I mean I've been using my SteelSeries Seberia 800 for gaming but the microphone being a "gaming headset" microphone, it's pretty sub-par for conferencing and voice calls (Skype, Teams, etc).

 

I've been looking into XLR mics and interfaces but I'm pretty new to this. I need your guidance to accomplish the following:

I would like to keep my current Wireless Headset sine it provides Wireless connectivity (I like to be able to move around sometimes) but I'd like to have a parallel QUALITY alternative (XLR mic + wired headphones) for calls.
Here's the kicker: I would like to be able to switch seamlessly from one to another.

Example: I'm in a Teams call, using the wired setup but I feel like getting up so I would love to start my wireless headset and mute my XLR mic effortlessly to smoothly switch from one to another.
The reverse is also true, if I'm using my wireless headset to game and battery dies, I'd like to switch over (keyword: effortlessly) to the wired setup.

 

Here's what I figured out so far: I need to plug both my XLR mic/wired headset AND my wireless headsets into an audio interface, and this one would be the only default communication device seen by Windows (via USB). Then I would basically mute the mics with their respective physical buttons and/or on the interface itself. This means I could also use both at the same time during a call.

 

Assuming this is what I need, I would love to keep the SteelSeries Seberia 800 7.1 functionality (for gaming) so I assume I would need to connect its receiver using both Optical-In and Out?
If so I would need an audio interface that would allow:
optical in and out
+
XLR-in / stereo out

 

I looked around with my limited knowledge and found the Behringer FCA610 which seems to have what I need but also seems a bit overkill.

Is there a way to achieve what I want differently? I'm I on the right track? I'm I even on the right forum?

Only physical parts I have so far is my gaming headset and temporary Audio Technica wired headphones. I would love to stay below CAD 500$ total for mic, interface cables and mic stand/accessories. I plan to shell out additional money later for better headphones.

 

BTW I know I could use only one pair of headphone (the wireless ones) but the reason I would like to have both is because I plan on using a shallow looking headphone for calls since my wireless headset is very bulky and doesn't look good during professional video calls.

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Old ass solution would be an a/b switch on the mic input.  There’s often only one on a PC.  If there isn’t you can use the sound control panel to switch inputs.  It will likely be case front or something connected in back.  Less seamless than you may want though.  A hardware switch might still be better.

Not a pro, not even very good.  I’m just old and have time currently.  Assuming I know a lot about computers can be a mistake.

 

Life is like a bowl of chocolates: there are all these little crinkly paper cups everywhere.

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would you be not be able to switch mic/headphones from windows 10 directly? i would think you could, but I also don't have much first hand experience

CPU: AMD 3600X

GPU: Nvidia 3070 (planned)

motherboard: MSI B500-A PRO

memory: G Skill Ripjaws V 2x8 GB 3600Mhz CL16

PSU: EVGA B3 650@

Case: NZXT H510

wireless network adapter: intel ax200

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1 minute ago, rapidkillerx said:

would you be not be able to switch mic/headphones from windows 10 directly? i would think you could, but I also don't have much first hand experience

My memory is you can but it’s in an app in a control panel.  This is why I said less seamless.

Not a pro, not even very good.  I’m just old and have time currently.  Assuming I know a lot about computers can be a mistake.

 

Life is like a bowl of chocolates: there are all these little crinkly paper cups everywhere.

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Just now, rapidkillerx said:

would you be not be able to switch mic/headphones from windows 10 directly? i would think you could, but I also don't have much first hand experience

if you can, i'd look at the audient evo 4 as one option for the audio interface, and 3U Audio Black CM1 as a microphone.

CPU: AMD 3600X

GPU: Nvidia 3070 (planned)

motherboard: MSI B500-A PRO

memory: G Skill Ripjaws V 2x8 GB 3600Mhz CL16

PSU: EVGA B3 650@

Case: NZXT H510

wireless network adapter: intel ax200

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Just now, Bombastinator said:

My memory is you can but it’s in an app in a control panel.  This is why I said less seamless.

i'm pretty sure you could switch with the toolbar, at least on windows 10, but not sure about that

CPU: AMD 3600X

GPU: Nvidia 3070 (planned)

motherboard: MSI B500-A PRO

memory: G Skill Ripjaws V 2x8 GB 3600Mhz CL16

PSU: EVGA B3 650@

Case: NZXT H510

wireless network adapter: intel ax200

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https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Hubs/2-Port-2-to-1-USB-3-Peripheral-Sharing-Switch~USB221SS

would that work? i feel like it's a ripoff at nearly $50, but it'd still be cheaper than a fancy audio interface that has a usb in

 

edit: switches from one usb in to two out, not the reverse

CPU: AMD 3600X

GPU: Nvidia 3070 (planned)

motherboard: MSI B500-A PRO

memory: G Skill Ripjaws V 2x8 GB 3600Mhz CL16

PSU: EVGA B3 650@

Case: NZXT H510

wireless network adapter: intel ax200

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if you want to research audio interfaces, i HIGHLY recommend Julian Krause's youtube channel

CPU: AMD 3600X

GPU: Nvidia 3070 (planned)

motherboard: MSI B500-A PRO

memory: G Skill Ripjaws V 2x8 GB 3600Mhz CL16

PSU: EVGA B3 650@

Case: NZXT H510

wireless network adapter: intel ax200

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https://www.ugreen.com.cn/products/2-in-1-out-usb-2-0-sharing-switch

i think this switch would work, as long as the wireless dongle doesn't use usb 3

CPU: AMD 3600X

GPU: Nvidia 3070 (planned)

motherboard: MSI B500-A PRO

memory: G Skill Ripjaws V 2x8 GB 3600Mhz CL16

PSU: EVGA B3 650@

Case: NZXT H510

wireless network adapter: intel ax200

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Okay, so you probably don't want to be looking at that interface, a UM2 OR UMC22 is more than enough if you just want to connect an XLR microphone to your rig, as for the headphones and seamlessly switching, they're both digital connections so you won't be able to use an A/B switch like I'd normally suggest, there may be a way to switch between devices without going into the in-app settings but I'm not aware what it is. The best solution I can think of is to use Voicemeeter to listen to calls with both wired headphones and wireless all the time and send both mic signals to your call apps and just mute the headset mic manually (assuming you can) when you're not using it.

 

If you're looking for interface or microphone recommendations the gear guide in my signature has been helpful to others and may inform you better on the subject so you can make a good choice.

 

@rapidkillerx where the heck did you learn about the CM1, nobody ever knows what I'm talking about when I suggest 3U, though, the teal is clearly the better sounding option 😋.

 

 Sloth

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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I don't see how a switch would work as I would like both setup (wired and wireless) to be able to work at the same time. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Wireless headset can output (from receiver) using USB, Optical Out or Stereo.
but the XLR Mic wouldn't work with a switch unless I use a USB mic (which I would like to avoid)

Also I would need to have both headphones work together. That actually seems like MORE of an hassle than a solution.

Re-thinking of it it "could" work with lots of elbow grease assuming a USB switch would actually work with Microphones. But I'm looking for more of a straight forward, easy-to-configure setup. Even if I have to bump up the budget.

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5 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

 

@rapidkillerx where the heck did you learn about the CM1, nobody ever knows what I'm talking about when I suggest 3U, though, the teal is clearly the better sounding option 😋.

 

haha looked at some forum posts (gearslutz?) was trying to find a budget mic for myself, i'll trust you on the teal i guess

CPU: AMD 3600X

GPU: Nvidia 3070 (planned)

motherboard: MSI B500-A PRO

memory: G Skill Ripjaws V 2x8 GB 3600Mhz CL16

PSU: EVGA B3 650@

Case: NZXT H510

wireless network adapter: intel ax200

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10 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

Okay, so you probably don't want to be looking at that interface, a UM2 OR UMC22 is more than enough if you just want to connect an XLR microphone to your rig, as for the headphones and seamlessly switching, they're both digital connections so you won't be able to use an A/B switch like I'd normally suggest, there may be a way to switch between devices without going into the in-app settings but I'm not aware what it is. The best solution I can think of is to use Voicemeeter to listen to calls with both wired headphones and wireless all the time and send both mic signals to your call apps and just mute the headset mic manually (assuming you can) when you're not using it.

 

If you're looking for interface or microphone recommendations the gear guide in my signature has been helpful to others and may inform you better on the subject so you can make a good choice.

 

@rapidkillerx where the heck did you learn about the CM1, nobody ever knows what I'm talking about when I suggest 3U, though, the teal is clearly the better sounding option 😋.

 

 Sloth

I don't understand how my original thought (Behringer FCA610) wouldn't work? Isn't it just (tehnically) two mic input (one optical, one xlr), a connection via USB to a PC, and two outputs (one optical, and one stereo)? I thought I would be able to do my "mixing" (and by that I mean determining which device has input and output) using the Behringer and Windows would communicate with the interface using USB.

Are the Optical Connections creating a problem I'm not aware of?

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2 minutes ago, silverf0x said:

-snip-

There isn't an easy option for this at any price point. I think the easiest option is to just use Voicemeeter so both mics and both headphones work simultaneously, then if you want to walk away you just pick up the wireless headset and walk. Of course the easier solution is to just not walk away, and if you really really need to walk away to do something connect to the call on your phone instead.

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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Just now, silverf0x said:

-snip- 

The FCA610 is overpriced old technology (hell, it's FireWire) and the optical ports on it are for ADAT, you wouldn't be able to use the optical ports to connect to your PC in a helpful way. The best thing to do would be to use a UMC202HD as it's the best bang for buck interface available right now. And no, you couldn't use it any audio interface to choose which audio device is in use, that's not a thing.

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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Thanks for your reply. Just a few clarification. The optical connection are solely to connect my Wireless Headset's receiver. It would not connect to the PC.

 

Also by "selecting which audio device is in use" I meant, in layman's term, simply playing with each device's "gain" effectively muting one and/or the other.

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4 minutes ago, silverf0x said:

Thanks for your reply. Just a few clarification. The optical connection are solely to connect my Wireless Headset's receiver. It would not connect to the PC.

 

Also by "selecting which audio device is in use" I meant, in layman's term, simply playing with each device's "gain" effectively muting one and/or the other.

Yes, I know and no, you can't do that with the 610. The volume controls on the 610 are tied to analogue connections, not the digital ones. Even if it was supported with the latest windows drivers (and it isn't) you wouldn't be able to do that, Behringer don't use a mixer as part of their driver package.

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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How do you then suggest I connect my Wireless Headset to the UMC202HD and NOT lose 7.1 connection?

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Ho I think I get what you mean now, You suggest to do the mixing with software using Voicemeeter Banana, keep the wireless as is and have the UMC202HD handle the XLR mic and wired headphones?

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4 minutes ago, silverf0x said:

Ho I think I get what you mean now, You suggest to do the mixing with software using Voicemeeter Banana, keep the wireless as is and have the UMC202HD handle the XLR mic and wired headphones?

There you go,

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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You might be able to script a macro to switch between mic sources with VoiceMeeter: https://forum.vb-audio.com/viewtopic.php?t=353

 

This way you can keep the wireless headset as the output device, and just toggle mutes between the mics

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3 minutes ago, ShearMe said:

You might be able to script a macro to switch between mic sources with VoiceMeeter: https://forum.vb-audio.com/viewtopic.php?t=353

 

This way you can keep the wireless headset as the output device, and just toggle mutes between the mics

Ho thanks I will look into that. Any chance I could use a stream deck to activate these macros? Effectively making a "physical" switch to toggle between mics.

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1 minute ago, silverf0x said:

Ho thanks I will look into that. Any chance I could use a stream deck to activate these macros? Effectively making a "physical" switch to toggle between mics.

Yes, it's entirely possible, easy to do? I don't know
I had some troubles setting up macros with my MIDI keyboard a while back so maybe I'm just bad at that stuff.

Sloth's the name, audio gear is the game
I'll do my best to lend a hand to anyone with audio questions, studio gear and value for money are my primary focus.

Click here for my Microphone and Interface guide, tips and recommendations
 

For advice I rely on The Brains Trust :
@rice guru
- Headphones, Earphones and personal audio for any budget 
@Derkoli- High end specialist and allround knowledgeable bloke

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3 minutes ago, silverf0x said:

Ho thanks I will look into that. Any chance I could use a stream deck to activate these macros? Effectively making a "physical" switch to toggle between mics.

If you can make the deck output a string of keyboard button presses, it'll definitely work. 

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