Headsets in BF2

[NJspeed]

Okay I just got BF2 and it rocks, but so far I've been playing with no headset or mic.

I just want to get a few things straight.. when someone buys one of these headsets with a built in mic, for example, by Logitech - you speak into the microphone and then you hear all sound effects and voice through the headset speakers.. correct? In other words, it's really just a set of headphones with a microphone built in...?

So there is no way to hook up regular desktop speakers for game sfx and music while having only voice come out of the earphones, right? When you hear people talking, it will come out from whatever speakers your in game sounds are coming from?

I've got a good set of Sennheiser headphones that I often use, so can I just use a plain, old, regular mic with it? I've got a couple of regular mics.... I was thinking of just mounting one on top of my monitor.... I could just talk into that and there would be no background noise cuz I'd be wearing headphones... right? Would this setup work?

Anyway, any clarification and help is appreciated

 

[AmishSlayer]

I don't think there's a way to have the earphones have voice on them and speakers with sound effects...but I have a headset with a boom mic in front of it and I just turn down sound effects in the game to 60% and leave voice at 100%. When people talk it muffles the sound in the game a bit so you can hear them better. It works just fine for me.

 

[DreadLord]

I have a logitech one with the mic built into it, I wouldn't go any other way for gaming.

As far as splitting them, I've seen it done, don't know how.

 

[CyberPitz]

uhhh, I'm so confused about the post. Here is my setup.

I've got some cheap labtec headset with a mic on it. I also have my 4 speakres plugged in. They all run at the same time...when I'm using my mic, I usually just turn down/off my speakers so teh noise doesn't go through the mic when I'm using it.

Now is that what you were talking about...?

 

[NJspeed]

uhhh, I'm so confused about the post. Here is my setup.

I've got some cheap labtec headset with a mic on it. I also have my 4 speakres plugged in. They all run at the same time...when I'm using my mic, I usually just turn down/off my speakers so teh noise doesn't go through the mic when I'm using it.

Now is that what you were talking about...?

My questions were really concerned with whether or not a PC headset is simply a pair of headphones with a mic attached - OR - if it was a seperate communication device just for voice. Imagine playing BF2 with your PC speakers, but using the headset like a telephone - to speak with people on your team and to hear them, only them - not to hear explosions, music or in game sound effects, just voice.

Yeah, so it's not a seperate communication device: you hear your teammates voices over your seperate speakers or headset, and the mic is just used to talk. That's just what I wanted to know. If there was a way to make the headset play JUST VOICES, that would be cool - but apparently you can't do it.

These replies also answered my other question.. that yes, headsets are simply earphones with a built in mic.

This is a sharp contrast from my PlayStation 2 headset, which is used only for communication with teammates - but whats cool is that you hear only their voices through the earpiece, you talk to them through the boom mic, but all in game sounds come from the TV or seperate speakers. That's a really cool feature when you think about it.. but I guess everyone on BF2 is just used to the in game sound being integrated with the voices, and thats fine too.

I just didn't want to spend 30-50 on headphones with a built in mic, when I already have 2 spare mics and several pairs of headphones. So it sounds like my setup should work fine - listen on the headphones, mount mic on monitor and talk into it..

(I could also use the PS2 headset only as a mic but play everything (including teammates voices) through my PC speakers)

Anyway..

From what I've read on here and other places, the only difference between a seperate mic/headphones and a headset is that the headset has the mic and the mic's wire integrated into it. That's what was confusing me, because I've been used to the PS2 headset and so I'm used to hearing just voices through the headset.

Thanks for the help.

 

[CyberPitz]

My questions were really concerned with whether or not a headset is simply a pair of headphones with a mic attached - not a seperate device just for voice.

Yeah, so you hear your teammates voices over your 4 speakers or headset and the mic is just used to talk. That's just what I wanted to know. If there was a way to make the headset play JUST VOICES, that would be cool - but apparently you can't do it.

These replies also answered my other question.. that yes, headsets are simply earphones with a built in mic.

This is a sharp contrast from my PlayStation 2 headset, which is used only for communication with teammates - but whats cool is that you hear only their voices through the earpiece, you talk to them through the boom mic, but all in game sounds come from the TV or seperate speakers. That's a really cool feature when you think about it.. but I guess everyone on BF2 is just used to it being how it is, and thats fine too.

I just didn't want to spend 30-50 on headphones with a built in mic, when I already have 2 spare mics and several pairs of headphones.

Yeah, if you don't have the real good mics that sit on the desk, then you wont be heard well, or static occurs. I've found that the headphone mics work very well. But if your off mic works fine by itself, then by all means go for it. I've never had any problems *I was based off everybody who i've talked to that's had one of those...* so yeah, go for it, and tell us teh results

 

[Sulkdodds]

Uhm, some headsets (maybe most of them) come with two seperate leads - mic and speakers. In those cases it's possible to have the sound coming out of your speakers and still be able to use the mic, but there's no way to seperate team chat and game effects. Unless you use CB radio.

Also, there's a 4 line limit on sigs here. Trim it.

 

[DreadLord]

My questions were really concerned with whether or not a PC headset is simply a pair of headphones with a mic attached - OR - if it was a seperate communication device just for voice. Imagine playing BF2 with your PC speakers, but using the headset like a telephone - to speak with people on your team and to hear them, only them - not to hear explosions, music or in game sound effects, just voice.

Yeah, so it's not a seperate communication device: you hear your teammates voices over your seperate speakers or headset, and the mic is just used to talk. That's just what I wanted to know. If there was a way to make the headset play JUST VOICES, that would be cool - but apparently you can't do it.

These replies also answered my other question.. that yes, headsets are simply earphones with a built in mic.

This is a sharp contrast from my PlayStation 2 headset, which is used only for communication with teammates - but whats cool is that you hear only their voices through the earpiece, you talk to them through the boom mic, but all in game sounds come from the TV or seperate speakers. That's a really cool feature when you think about it.. but I guess everyone on BF2 is just used to the in game sound being integrated with the voices, and thats fine too.

I just didn't want to spend 30-50 on headphones with a built in mic, when I already have 2 spare mics and several pairs of headphones. So it sounds like my setup should work fine - listen on the headphones, mount mic on monitor and talk into it..

(I could also use the PS2 headset only as a mic but play everything (including teammates voices) through my PC speakers)

Anyway..

From what I've read on here and other places, the only difference between a seperate mic/headphones and a headset is that the headset has the mic and the mic's wire integrated into it. That's what was confusing me, because I've been used to the PS2 headset and so I'm used to hearing just voices through the headset.

Thanks for the help.

In my opinion, headphones are farrrr better for gaming anyways. Unless you live by yourself and can absolutely blast BF2 to get the full effect that is. With headphones you can tell exactly where people are in counter strike etc.. With speakers you need one hell of a setup to get that same effect, costing probably thousands for a decent set. Also, mics that are attatched to headphones are much better, as they don't get the constant static, and they can pick up your voice much better than the ones that you just place on the desk. Also, using speakers with a microphone is just plain mean, no one wants to hear the game through their headphones and yours, there's nothing worse than sitting in teamspeak playing BF2, and hearing one of my friends speakers go GET OUTTA THERE ITS GONNA BLOW in our css server.

95% of the people i know use headphones with mics built in, if you're really into gaming, it's the way to go.

EDIT: This is the set I own, I've had them for over a year, very good quality, my microphone is one of the clearest out of the 30 or so people that drop by my teamspeak regularly. I think I even picked it up at Walmart. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=6339

 

[AmishSlayer]

The PS2 and Xbox headsets are different than how it works with PC. Personally, it doesn't make much of a difference to me. Both ways you're gonna hear both your teammates and the in-game sound...the only difference is whether it's coming from a speaker or your headset. My headset mic sounds great too from what I hear from people and I can hear them just fine...that's all I need.

EDIT:

I got these badboys.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836504001

The force feedback is sweet when it comes to bass in music and gunfire, artillery, and anything else in games that makes these things vibrate. I love 'em.

 

[Vegeta897]

In the latest version of Ventrilo, you can have the ventrilo output (people talking) play in different speakers (or headphones) than the game noises. However this doesn't really solve your dilema as you are talking about seperating the ingame voices?

 

[DreadLord]

I've still yet to hear someone talk in BF2.

Though I don't think I've left teamspeak in two years aside from restarting my computer every few months.

 

[NJspeed]

Well listen, I really appreciate everyones input. You guys are great.

I hope nobody thought I was trying to say anything bad about headsets. I'm just trying to save myself some money since I already own some good headphones and a few decent mics. Anyway, I'll try a few setups and let you guys know what works best.

I've got one good mic that I use here at the office with one of our telephone systems.. It's just a boom mic with an earpiece that connects via minijack to an amplifier/dialer thing. So I should be able to plug that in as my mic and just wear headphones over it. Hopefully that's not too uncomfy and it might work well since it's designed for voice at speaking volumes.

If that doesn't work well, then I'll try the headphones with seperate mic mounted nearby..

and as last result, I can use the PS2 mic just to speak into, and play with sound coming at me from my PC speakers.

Like I said, I'll post my results just in case anyone else has a similar situation to myself and doesn't want to dish out $.

Worst case scenario, I'd even buy a headset - having one would be nice - but my concern with that is maybe the new headphones speakers wouldn't sound as good as the ones I already am used to. Maybe I'll buy one of those 5.1 headphones I've seen with the built in mic.. that would probably be sweet.. but I'm not looking to dish out mega bucks..

Thanks again for reading my long rambling posts

 

[Sulkdodds]

You could always just sellotape a stick mic to your headphones. I have a crappy stick mic but I loop the cable around the back of my neck and prop it against my shoulder. :E Look mum, no hands!

 

[Evo]

On the matter of volume control, when you push to talk it greatly reduces the volume of game effects automatically and when someone in your squad is talking again this occurs so you can actually hear them. However this only works with the BF2 effects so having music playing in the background can cause you to miss what people say. Oh, and if you use TeamSpeak sounds are not dampened so talking and listening with TS when driving a tank or in a battle can severely affect the quality of the communication.

 

[Link]

I've still yet to hear someone talk in BF2.

Have you enabled VOIP in the audio settings? Its disabled by default.

 

[Qonfused]

In my opinion, headphones are farrrr better for gaming anyways. Unless you live by yourself and can absolutely blast BF2 to get the full effect that is. With headphones you can tell exactly where people are in counter strike etc.. With speakers you need one hell of a setup to get that same effect, costing probably thousands for a decent set. Also, mics that are attatched to headphones are much better, as they don't get the constant static, and they can pick up your voice much better than the ones that you just place on the desk. Also, using speakers with a microphone is just plain mean, no one wants to hear the game through their headphones and yours, there's nothing worse than sitting in teamspeak playing BF2, and hearing one of my friends speakers go GET OUTTA THERE ITS GONNA BLOW in our css server.

95% of the people i know use headphones with mics built in, if you're really into gaming, it's the way to go.

EDIT: This is the set I own, I've had them for over a year, very good quality, my microphone is one of the clearest out of the 30 or so people that drop by my teamspeak regularly. I think I even picked it up at Walmart. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=6339

I have to comment on this Dread. First of all, you play with your sound way too loud. I have the same headset (which I'll get to later) and you can't here CSS through TS.

Now, the headset itself blows. They don't sit on your ears right, they just fall down on them, making them hurt. The mic is too short, which bugs me because most, for me, are. I have to pull the mic in front of my mouth for people to be able to hear me. The sound quality is shit, too. I had a pair of nice headphones but they broke and had to resort back to these.

...

Damn these suck.

 

[CyberPitz]

I have to comment on this Dread. First of all, you play with your sound way too loud. I have the same headset (which I'll get to later) and you can't here CSS through TS.

Now, the headset itself blows. They don't sit on your ears right, they just fall down on them, making them hurt. The mic is too short, which bugs me because most, for me, are. I have to pull the mic in front of my mouth for people to be able to hear me. The sound quality is shit, too. I had a pair of nice headphones but they broke and had to resort back to these.

...

Damn these suck.

Omfg, those are disgustingly shitty. I tried one of those, 2 days later, got something different. I didn't care what it was, but those were ew.

And in BF2, you don't need to hear footsteps all that much anyway.....

 

[DreadLord]

I have to comment on this Dread. First of all, you play with your sound way too loud. I have the same headset (which I'll get to later) and you can't here CSS through TS.

Now, the headset itself blows. They don't sit on your ears right, they just fall down on them, making them hurt. The mic is too short, which bugs me because most, for me, are. I have to pull the mic in front of my mouth for people to be able to hear me. The sound quality is shit, too. I had a pair of nice headphones but they broke and had to resort back to these.

...

Damn these suck.

Actually I play with my sound quite low, you can hear my sound even if my microphone is completely muted and my sound is off, thats my motherboard. They sit fine on my ears and the sound quality is much better than a few bose and sony ones i've had that cost well over $150 each.

 

[15357]

I am never getting a headset due to:

1. My parents.

2. I have a stuttering problem. (kind of)

 

[J_Tweedy]

This isnt meant to be insensitive 15357, but i can see how that would be a deterring issue in the midst of a fast paced battle- plenty of "i told you so's" and "no you didn'ts"
I used to have a thing about headsets- just the stigma of talking to others while playing a game- i dunno, but since i got mine i wouldn't be without it in bf2, although for some strange reason i can hear better directions of sound when its through my 2 speakers which are either side of my desk.

 

[NJspeed]

Have you enabled VOIP in the audio settings? Its disabled by default.

Hmm well my problem is it registered my mic in audio options.. . and I tested it and what not, it set the bar thing at 10% whatever that means, but I still didn't hear any real voices in the game and I don't think anyone heard me.

When I hit B it didn't make a sound or anything. Did I miss a setting to enable VOIP?

 

[CyberPitz]

Hmm well my problem is it registered my mic in audio options.. . and I tested it and what not, it set the bar thing at 10% whatever that means, but I still didn't hear any real voices in the game and I don't think anyone heard me.

When I hit B it didn't make a sound or anything. Did I miss a setting to enable VOIP?

are you sure you're joining servers with VoIP enabled? There are more than I expected out there with it turned off *I guess for a less lag reason*

 

[NJspeed]

I imagine the little headphones thing next to the server name means it's VOIP?

 

[Sulkdodds]

I have devised a cunning plan. I will attach my stick microphone to my head, in a hands-free fashion, using rubber bands.

 

[AmishSlayer]

I have devised a cunning plan. I will attach my stick microphone to my head, in a hands-free fashion, using rubber bands.

lol

I think you'd be feeling an unwelcome tight sensation as the rubber bands dig into your head.

Enjoy.

EDIT: Unintentional "leet" usage.

 

[NJspeed]

I have devised a cunning plan. I will attach my stick microphone to my head, in a hands-free fashion, using rubber bands.

That's what I'm trying to do! LOL but no seriously, I can't hear voices in the game. My mic registers and it even set the adjustment thing at 10%. VOIP is enabled, yet I hear nobody, and nobody hears me.

 

[J_Tweedy]

Just get a good chap pair of headphones - the Koss UR20 is great for gaming- awesome bass, good general sound, full ear cushions so blocks out noise etc. and then get a desktop mic- probably the sound performance of many far more expensive headsets for less than half the price- bingo, im a genius

 

[NJspeed]

I got it all set up with my Sennheisers and a plantronics mic that clips to my shirt. The game registers it under Audio Settings but I don't hear anyone and nobody hears me. VOIP is Xed which I assume means it's on.

Can someone also explain to me how the VOIP works? I know your supposed to automatically hear it when you enter a server, but I've also heard about other programs that clans and people use? One clan wants me to join and they gave me seperate IPs for their clan server and for their clan chat thing.

 

[Evo]

VOIP is built into BF2, you can only hear people talk with this if you are in a squad with guys who talk, or if you are squad leader you can talk to the commander and vice versa. To talk to squad mates press and hold B, commander <---> squad leader communication with V.

Most clans have a TeamSpeak server, you connect to this and can talk to anyone on at the same time, you will need the IP and password from the clan to get access.

Downside with TeamSpeak (TS) is that is doesn't dampen background noise like VOIP does, and as such TS can often be of poorer quality than VOIP


Hope that is an easy and clear explanation for you mate