Yamaha MG06 for headphone monitoring on PC?

[K Ganker]

Hello, I was going through threads on linustechtips and saw insightful and helpful discussions unlike with many other websites, so I decided to get some advice here.

 

I use Discord and I'm unable to hear myself when I talk, though everything else works as it should. I can hear everyone and everyone can hear me. However, not hearing myself makes it difficult to adjust my voice volume, specially when gaming. I've already tried the Windows sound setting "Listen to this device" for the microphone, but this only gives me a delayed echo-like feedback of my voice.

 

For gaming and Discord, I use Beyerdynamic "Custom Game," which have a built in mic that plugs into the headphone. The headphone cable has a mute switch and ends in a 3.5mm jack. In order to use the mic with my PC, I purchased a Y splitter to go from the 3.5mm headphone jack and split the audio and microphone into two cables that plug into audio and mic ports on my sound card (Sound Blaster XFi).

 

I read that for headphone monitoring, I can purchase a mixing board. I'm also planning to purchase a 3.5mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS stereo breakout cable for mixer to PC connection.

 

-- What is the easiest way to set up my headset via my PC sound card (3.5mm ports) so that I have delay and echo free headphone monitoring (so I can hear myself speak)?

 

I was considering the Yamaha MG06 for this, though it might be a bit of overkill.

 

Thank you in advance.

[The Flying Sloth]

Might I ask why it is you want to hear yourself?

This feature is easy to achieve and very useful with studio grade gear but for voice chat? I don't know man.

Either way, I'm not aware of consumer audio devices offering sidetone for 3.5mm connections, sure there are complex things you could do with splitters and mixing boards or pro devices like the MA400 but they're expensive and complicated. I'm sure there will be a product available but I'm just not sure what it is.

[K Ganker]

4 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

Might I ask why it is you want to hear yourself?

This feature is easy to achieve and very useful with studio grade gear but for voice chat? I don't know man.

Either way, I'm not aware of consumer audio devices offering sidetone for 3.5mm connections, sure there are complex things you could do with splitters and mixing boards or pro devices like the MA400 but they're expensive and complicated. I'm sure there will be a product available but I'm just not sure what it is.

 

Thank you for your reply. I would like to hear myself in order to know how loud I'm talking. Sometimes music or gaming can get loud and without monitoring, you talk louder and louder without realizing it. Even connecting a headset via Xbox has headphone monitoring where you can hear yourself speaking through your headphones.

[Derkoli]

18 minutes ago, K Ganker said:

Hello, I was going through threads on linustechtips and saw insightful and helpful discussions unlike with many other websites, so I decided to get some advice here.

 

I use Discord and I'm unable to hear myself when I talk, though everything else works as it should. I can hear everyone and everyone can hear me. However, not hearing myself makes it difficult to adjust my voice volume, specially when gaming. I've already tried the Windows sound setting "Listen to this device" for the microphone, but this only gives me a delayed echo-like feedback of my voice.

 

For gaming and Discord, I use Beyerdynamic "Custom Game," which have a built in mic that plugs into the headphone. The headphone cable has a mute switch and ends in a 3.5mm jack. In order to use the mic with my PC, I purchased a Y splitter to go from the 3.5mm headphone jack and split the audio and microphone into two cables that plug into audio and mic ports on my sound card (Sound Blaster XFi).

 

I read that for headphone monitoring, I can purchase a mixing board. I'm also planning to purchase a 3.5mm TRS to Dual 1/4" TS stereo breakout cable for mixer to PC connection.

 

-- What is the easiest way to set up my headset via my PC sound card (3.5mm ports) so that I have delay and echo free headphone monitoring (so I can hear myself speak)?

 

I was considering the Yamaha MG06 for this, though it might be a bit of overkill.

 

Thank you in advance.

A Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 would do this well.

 

It has a line input which would take the microphone input, and you can monitor with the headphone output. I use it for this exact purpose, as it's stupidly simple, and doesn't need any drivers for Windows.

 

You would just need two of these:

 

https://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Stereo-Jack-Adapter-black/dp/B00142BZSY/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=6.3+->+3.5&qid=1593649870&sr=8-5

[K Ganker]

15 minutes ago, Derkoli said:

A Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 would do this well.

 

It has a line input which would take the microphone input, and you can monitor with the headphone output. I use it for this exact purpose, as it's stupidly simple, and doesn't need any drivers for Windows.

 

You would just need two of these:

 

https://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Stereo-Jack-Adapter-black/dp/B00142BZSY/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=6.3+->+3.5&qid=1593649870&sr=8-5

 

Thanks for the advice! Would something like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo be able to accomplish this as well?

 

[Derkoli]

1 minute ago, K Ganker said:

 

Thanks for the advice! Would something like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo be able to accomplish this as well?

 

Looking at it, yes it would. "Direct monitor" just feeds the inputs to all audio outputs (USB, Main monitors, Headphones)

 

It also has the line in required, obviously. It's a bit overkill, but if you're happy with the price, then it would work really well.

[K Ganker]

4 minutes ago, Derkoli said:

Looking at it, yes it would. "Direct monitor" just feeds the inputs to all audio outputs (USB, Main monitors, Headphones)

 

It also has the line in required, obviously. It's a bit overkill, but if you're happy with the price, then it would work really well.

 

Thanks for confirming. Can you give me a run down of how I would connect this device to my PC sound card?

[Derkoli]

Just now, K Ganker said:

 

Thanks for confirming. Can you give me a run down of how I would connect this device to my PC sound card?

Ah, I didn't notice you had a soundcard.

 

Really, the interface replaces the soundcard.

 

You could shove the line out of the soundcard into the line in of the interface, but then you could only monitor the PC audio (Discord, Games, Youtube, Tidal/Spotify etc.) not the microphone input.

 

If you wanted to monitor them both, then you would need something like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, as it has 2 line in's, and you can monitor them both simultaneously. This would enable you to hear PC audio and your microphone then.

 

 

 

So your signal chain would be this with the 2i2:

 

Soundcard output -> Line 1 input of interface -> Headphones

 

Headphone microphone -> Line 2 input of interface -> Headphones + PC

 

So your interface handles monitoring both line inputs, and the microphone. Then the soundcard handles all the PC audio output.

 

 

 

You would need 3x 6.35mm -> 3.5mm adapters (As I linked previously), and a 3.5mm -> 3.5mm cable.

 

The 2i2 is only 45~ euros more than the Solo, If my memory doesn't fail me.

 

This setup would also allow you to upgrade the microphone to an XLR microphone easily, if you wish to do so in the future.

[K Ganker]

10 minutes ago, Derkoli said:

Ah, I didn't notice you had a soundcard.

 

Really, the interface replaces the soundcard.

 

You could shove the line out of the soundcard into the line in of the interface, but then you could only monitor the PC audio (Discord, Games, Youtube, Tidal/Spotify etc.) not the microphone input.

 

If you wanted to monitor them both, then you would need something like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, as it has 2 line in's, and you can monitor them both simultaneously. This would enable you to hear PC audio and your microphone then.

 

 

 

So your signal chain would be this with the 2i2:

 

Soundcard output -> Line 1 input of interface -> Headphones

 

Headphone microphone -> Line 2 input of interface -> Headphones + PC

 

So your interface handles monitoring both line inputs, and the microphone. Then the soundcard handles all the PC audio output.

 

 

 

You would need 3x 6.35mm -> 3.5mm adapters (As I linked previously), and a 3.5mm -> 3.5mm cable.

 

The 2i2 is only 45~ euros more than the Solo, If my memory doesn't fail me.

 

This setup would also allow you to upgrade the microphone to an XLR microphone easily, if you wish to do so in the future.

 

You're awesome, thank you! I'll follow up if I have more questions.

[Derkoli]

Just now, K Ganker said:

 

You're awesome, thank you! I'll follow up if I have more questions.

Hey, no problem All of us here are pretty happy to help out.

[The Flying Sloth]

Dear god I'm embarrassed I forgot about audio interfaces considering I'm constantly arguing with people over how they're often better than consumer alternatives.

 

Derkoli has you on the right track, listen to what they say.

[K Ganker]

On 7/1/2020 at 6:00 PM, Derkoli said:

Ah, I didn't notice you had a soundcard.

 

Really, the interface replaces the soundcard.

 

You could shove the line out of the soundcard into the line in of the interface, but then you could only monitor the PC audio (Discord, Games, Youtube, Tidal/Spotify etc.) not the microphone input.

 

If you wanted to monitor them both, then you would need something like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, as it has 2 line in's, and you can monitor them both simultaneously. This would enable you to hear PC audio and your microphone then.

 

 

 

So your signal chain would be this with the 2i2:

 

Soundcard output -> Line 1 input of interface -> Headphones

 

Headphone microphone -> Line 2 input of interface -> Headphones + PC

 

So your interface handles monitoring both line inputs, and the microphone. Then the soundcard handles all the PC audio output.

 

 

 

You would need 3x 6.35mm -> 3.5mm adapters (As I linked previously), and a 3.5mm -> 3.5mm cable.

 

The 2i2 is only 45~ euros more than the Solo, If my memory doesn't fail me.

 

This setup would also allow you to upgrade the microphone to an XLR microphone easily, if you wish to do so in the future.

 

Derkoli, The 2i2 is arriving tomorrow and I wanted to confirm what you meant by Headphones + PC in your comment.

 

From what I understand, I will need to do the following.

 

Soundcard output -> Line 1 input of interface -> Headphones  =  3.5mm cable from sound-card output to input 1 of interface using 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter. Audio portion of headset into headphones port of interface using second 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter.

 

Headphone microphone -> Line 2 input of interface -> Headphones + PC  =  3.5mm microphone portion of headset into line 2 input of interface using third 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter. ----> Headphones + PC?

 

Won't I need to somehow connect the microphone back to the sound card microphone port?

 

Also, before purchasing the 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter, I'm reading that not all of them support microphones or trrs? Does this matter in my case?

 

[Derkoli]

2 hours ago, K Ganker said:

 

Derkoli, The 2i2 is arriving tomorrow and I wanted to confirm what you meant by Headphones + PC in your comment.

 

From what I understand, I will need to do the following.

 

Soundcard output -> Line 1 input of interface -> Headphones  =  3.5mm cable from sound-card output to input 1 of interface using 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter. Audio portion of headset into headphones port of interface using second 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter.

 

Headphone microphone -> Line 2 input of interface -> Headphones + PC  =  3.5mm microphone portion of headset into line 2 input of interface using third 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter. ----> Headphones + PC?

 

Won't I need to somehow connect the microphone back to the sound card microphone port?

 

Also, before purchasing the 3.5mm > 6.35mm adapter, I'm reading that not all of them support microphones or trrs? Does this matter in my case?

 

The audio interface will handle the microphone. It's connected to the interface to allow you to monitor it through your headphones.

 

You just need a standard 6.35mm adapter.

 

https://www.amazon.com/TriLink-Stereo-Adapter-Gold-Plated-Headphone/dp/B073WRJ44V/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=6.3+to+3.5&qid=1595374738&sr=8-9

 

One of these will work.

[The Flying Sloth]

Just to reiterate the interface is replacing your soundcard, forget about the soundcard, USB to interface is your major audio connection.

[Derkoli]

29 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

Just to reiterate the interface is replacing your soundcard, forget about the soundcard, USB to interface is your major audio connection.

Unfortunatley OP wants to make use of the soundcard.

 

But overall, it would be better to just use the interface and nothing else.

[The Flying Sloth]

1 hour ago, Derkoli said:

Unfortunatley OP wants to make use of the soundcard.

 

But overall, it would be better to just use the interface and nothing else.

Thats....... Okay.......

Welp, it's your system OP, I can't force you to use it the right way.

[K Ganker]

On 7/21/2020 at 5:21 PM, The Flying Sloth said:

Just to reiterate the interface is replacing your soundcard, forget about the soundcard, USB to interface is your major audio connection.

 

Thank you for bringing this up. Would the Scarlet 2i2 be superior to my sound card in terms of sound quality/clarity? My current sound card is a Sound Blaster XFi series.

 

It sounds like I should forget my internal sound card all together and use the 2i2 by itself?

 

@The Flying Sloth  how would I go about setting up my headset with mic if only using the 2i2? Keep in mind my Beyerdynamic headset has one 3.5mm plug for both microphone and audio. I'm currently using a simple 3.5mm splitter so that I have a 3.5mm plug for both mic and audio separately.

 

Apologies for the basic questions, I've never used an audio interface before.

 

It seems that the audio works great, but my mic is not being picked up. The mic portion of my headset splitter is in input 1 (using the 3.5mm to 1/4 adapter) and nothing is being picked up regardless of the gain. I'm starting to think the 2i2 needs an XLR cable to work?

 

Thank you again.

[K Ganker]

19 hours ago, K Ganker said:

 

Thank you for bringing this up. Would the Scarlet 2i2 be superior to my sound card in terms of sound quality/clarity? My current sound card is a Sound Blaster XFi series.

 

It sounds like I should forget my internal sound card all together and use the 2i2 by itself?

 

@The Flying Sloth  how would I go about setting up my headset with mic if only using the 2i2? Keep in mind my Beyerdynamic headset has one 3.5mm plug for both microphone and audio. I'm currently using a simple 3.5mm splitter so that I have a 3.5mm plug for both mic and audio separately.

 

Apologies for the basic questions, I've never used an audio interface before.

 

It seems that the audio works great, but my mic is not being picked up. The mic portion of my headset splitter is in input 1 (using the 3.5mm to 1/4 adapter) and nothing is being picked up regardless of the gain. I'm starting to think the 2i2 needs an XLR cable to work?

 

Thank you again.

 

The second part of my previous comment was meant for @Derkoli - I mistakenly tagged the wrong name.

 

It looks like a regular non-XLR mic cannot get power with the Focusrite 2i2 since it goes through a 1/4 cable. Only the audio works with the 1/4 cable.

 

I went ahead and dished out more $ and bought a XLR condenser mic so I can use it with the 2i2 via XLR cable.

[LstpersonalOF]

20 minutes ago, K Ganker said:

 

The second part of my previous comment was meant for @Derkoli - I mistakenly tagged the wrong name.

 

It looks like a regular non-XLR mic cannot get power with the Focusrite 2i2 since it goes through a 1/4 cable. Only the audio works with the 1/4 cable.

 

I went ahead and dished out more $ and bought a XLR condenser mic so I can use it with the 2i2 via XLR cable.

thats awesome but what microphone did u choose? just to know 

 

[K Ganker]

12 minutes ago, Lesantir_12 said:

thats awesome but what microphone did u choose? just to know 

 

I purchased a Samson C01, along with a pop filter and arm. The mic uses phantom power and seems to be high quality.

 

I also bought a LyxPro XLR male/female cable, since the Samson C01 does not come with one.

[The Flying Sloth]

3 hours ago, K Ganker said:

Snip

The Scarlett 2i2 isn't a better product than your sound card, it's just an entirely different one, if you're concerned about the cost the UMC202HD is a rough equivalent of the 2i2 for a bit less money and has a more powerful headphone amp,

 

now, you can still split the headset to mic and headphones and then use adapters to go from 3.5mm to 1/4 inch and use both your mic and headphones but seeing as you've bought another mic already you don't need to if you don't want to.

[K Ganker]

1 hour ago, The Flying Sloth said:

The Scarlett 2i2 isn't a better product than your sound card, it's just an entirely different one, if you're concerned about the cost the UMC202HD is a rough equivalent of the 2i2 for a bit less money and has a more powerful headphone amp,

 

now, you can still split the headset to mic and headphones and then use adapters to go from 3.5mm to 1/4 inch and use both your mic and headphones but seeing as you've bought another mic already you don't need to if you don't want to.

Just for my information, how would that work? I don't seem to get any activity from the mic plugging it into the input ports on the 2i2 (1/4 adapter).

 

I purchased a condenser XLR mic because 1. would like to hear myself as I talk to others without delay. 2. better quality voice/sound (though not too important), 3. compatibility with the 2i2.

 

I don't think there is a way to make the mic work on the 2i2 without using an XLR cable.

[The Flying Sloth]

3 minutes ago, K Ganker said:

Just for my information, how would that work? I don't seem to get any activity from the mic plugging it into the input ports on the 2i2 (1/4 adapter).

That surprises me somewhat honestly, there's no reason for it to not work.

[K Ganker]

Just now, The Flying Sloth said:

That surprises me somewhat honestly, there's no reason for it to not work.

 

I think it's something about needing 5v on the mic and not getting power because of the way the 1/4 routes through the input on the 2i2 vs how the XLR plug does.

[The Flying Sloth]

1 minute ago, K Ganker said:

I think it's something about needing 5v on the mic and not getting power because of the way the 1/4 routes through the input on the 2i2 vs how the XLR plug does.

I can tell you right now that if the mic works in your PC 3.5mm mic jack there's no reason for it to not work in the Scarlett, just make sure you're not feeding it 48V if it's unbalanced.