Gaming with a desktop microphone? & Sennheiser HD558 question

Wrathen

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Jan 13, 2014
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So I'm thinking about getting a Sennheiser HD 558 headset for a combination of gaming and music from my PC. I do mostly MMOs but some FPS. When playing MMOs I need a microphone.

I saw they have the ModMic 4.0 which looks like but not sure I want to be hassled with 2 cables. I was wondering if there is a different solution. Could I use something like a Blue Snowball, Blue Yeti, or Samson Meteor Mic. As a solution and sit on my desk and pick up voice for things like Mumble/Ventrilo/etc? or will the mic be to sensitive and pickup my keyboard and drive people crazy?

Is there another solution I'm not thinking about? (other than changing to a headset w/ a mic mounted on it)

2nd question:
I have a ASrock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer Motherboard it has 7.1 surround onboard audio. I was wondering if this is good enough or if I need to be looking into getting a sound card like the Asus Xonar DG or DGX. I have also read some about needing an AMP. is the AMP only for with use with devices like phones/MP3 players/etc or do I need an amp along with my MoBo or Sound Card?

Which will give best gaming performance?
Sound card
Sound card & amp
MoBo w/ amp
or MoBo is enough?
 
Solution
your hd558 should work fine with that motherboard. your headphones are only 50ohm impedence and your motherboard specs are well above that. quality wise a dg/dgx is likely equal at best so is not an upgade. i'd only go that route if you were getting buzzing, popping, noise or other issues from your onboard.

often people who use a modmic sleeve the two cables together sothat it acts like one cable not two. this makes it less of a hassle.

yes, a desk mic would also work however depending on what you buy and where you place it on the desk it might pick up keyboard, mouse and case sounds.

ABagOfFritos

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Jan 19, 2013
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I use a blue snowball and nobody ever complains about my keyboard. The keyboard is a Das Model S Ultimate with blue switches too so it's loud as <mod edit, watch the language>.

You'll be fine.
 

ewok93

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Mar 18, 2013
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A Snowball or Yeti would work just fine. For gaming, a cheap mic is usually enough unless you're streaming or recording. If you're getting a nice headset, I would go for a good soundcard. A Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Rx or Fx would work perfectly. It will give you enough power for your headphones while your motherboard may not, causing it to be very quiet.
 
your hd558 should work fine with that motherboard. your headphones are only 50ohm impedence and your motherboard specs are well above that. quality wise a dg/dgx is likely equal at best so is not an upgade. i'd only go that route if you were getting buzzing, popping, noise or other issues from your onboard.

often people who use a modmic sleeve the two cables together sothat it acts like one cable not two. this makes it less of a hassle.

yes, a desk mic would also work however depending on what you buy and where you place it on the desk it might pick up keyboard, mouse and case sounds.
 
Solution

ewok93

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Mar 18, 2013
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Sleeving the modmic cable with the headset sounds like the best option, it's not too difficult. I just glanced at the motherboard, didn't realize that was what you had, and it should be plenty.