How to create good side-tone using a microphone and headphones on a PC?

[tmt69]

Ok, so I just bought a new sound-card (creative soundblaster-z) and I'm really enjoying the enhanced audio in comparison to my motherboard, but I use a USB condenser mic (at2020).

Here's the problem; obviously the usb-mic cannot go through the soundcard, so I cannot create sidetone from the sound-card itself. When using ASIO drivers, the sidetone (listening) on the AT2020 is perfect, but I can't use ASIO drivers all the time.

What I need is a way to hear myself in my headphones while talking through the AT2020.

Here's one thing to note, possibly a clue to creating a solution.The new sound-card came with a little line-in mic, I can actually listen to that mic going through the sound card, and talk through my AT2020, but the effect created is not enough side-tone to actually hear myself in the headset, and the microphone has too much feedback to be effective.

I can use the 'listen to' feature in windows audio to hear the AT2020, but there is too much lag and I consistently interrupt my own speech (funny, but frustrating).

I'm thinking there may be some interruption between the microphone and the operating system, but I don't really know enough to know for sure.

I'm using windows 8.1, AMD FX 8350, nvidia 7704gb, 16 gbs ram and a creative soundblaster z.

Any suggestions, perhaps solutions to my problem would be greatly appreciated,



Your Friend,

Teapole

 

[ssddx]

i'm not sure there really is a good way to listen through your soundcard. to go about it via software you would hear an audio delay and there is no hardware way to go about it in a good manner.

however, the at2020 usb does state that it has a headphone jack. you could use this with your headphones. if you require an amplifier on your headphones you could use an external amp. while perhaps not the most ideal this is probably going to be the easiest fix for you.

 

[tmt69]

i'm not sure there really is a good way to listen through your soundcard. to go about it via software you would hear an audio delay and there is no hardware way to go about it in a good manner.

however, the at2020 usb does state that it has a headphone jack. you could use this with your headphones. if you require an amplifier on your headphones you could use an external amp. while perhaps not the most ideal this is probably going to be the easiest fix for you.

I don't know where the headphone jack is, if there is one. Could you elaborate on that for me?

//edit

Just found the mic you're refering to, that would be the AT2020+, I have the standard usb version.

 

[tmt69]

Found this somewhere and it works!

Hi,I think found of a solution to our problem. (Maybe it is a workaround but it works)
I wanted to use my USB wireless microphone just to sing and to hear my own voice so I searched without luck for days for some sort of a program or driver.
I understand that if microphone is connected through USB to my PC
And My PC is connected through HDMI to receiver which has all the speakers attached,
so no way the analog signal from microphone can go all the way to speakers without being converted to digital and than back to analogue.
So the only way is to minimize signal conversion delay as much as it is possible.
Luckily one guy wrote audio repeater program.
Virtual Audio Cable Home Page
Here is direct link:
http://software.muzychenko.net/vac410.zip
Simply unzip file, DO NOT INSTALL the application. You are only interested in 1 file. There are 2 folders x64 and x86.
They have identical content (audiorepeater.exe and audiorepeater_ks.exe)
I have Windows 7 64 bit, so I selected x64 of audiorepeater.exe.
There select:
input device - (USB Microphone)
output device - (ATI HDMI output)
local buffer - (50 ms)
priority (realtime)
These settings might differ (depending on how fast is your hardware)
Press start. And ... voilà, you can hear yourself almost without any delay. In my case this works fine with karaoke software.
I tried audiorepeater_ks.exe and set all the settings as with audiorepeater.exe but when I start karaoke software I don't hear music. Only my voice.
If somebody could get this working let me know how. Apparently audiorepeater_ks.exe is a bit faster as it uses some kernel options (Need to be verified)
Sergey








Found this on a forum hidden, the program actually works... no lag. Amazing. Hope others can figure this out!

The KS version only supports 1 audio channel at a time, but the normal audio repeated lets you do everything!

 

[ssddx]

too bad you do not have the + version. while not ideal, that would have fixed your issues.

i know of ways to make a 3.5mm headset and microphone compatible with usb... however i am unaware of any ways to make usb turn to 3.5mm which is what you would need to make your current mic work in the way you want it to.

perhaps you may want to send a line over to audiotechnica support asking if there is a way to convert the microphone you have into 3.5mm.

i did a little digging and couldnt come up with anything concrete to suggest so perhaps you should start with them and see if they can offer you any advice.

---

edit:

i see you responded again and found a solution.

great!

 

[tmt69]

too bad you do not have the + version. while not ideal, that would have fixed your issues.

i know of ways to make a 3.5mm headset and microphone compatible with usb... however i am unaware of any ways to make usb turn to 3.5mm which is what you would need to make your current mic work in the way you want it to.

perhaps you may want to send a line over to audiotechnica support asking if there is a way to convert the microphone you have into 3.5mm.

i did a little digging and couldnt come up with anything concrete to suggest so perhaps you should start with them and see if they can offer you any advice.

---

edit:

i see you responded again and found a solution.

great!

Thanks for your help, sometimes we just need to bounce ideas off each-other! It's not a perfect solution, but it actually works.