Listen to your microphone voice without delay (mic monitor passthrough)

Monitor your mic without delay. Tested with Arozzi Colonna, works with Blue Yeti USB mics, and many other USB mics. Will not work with audio jack microphones most likely. Let me know which mic you have in the comments!
Subscribe to brand new hacks & showcases: bit.ly/OSBsub

[@Sensei_Actual]

You are my freaking hero dude! I've been trying to figure out how to monitor my mic for months now. I felt like I was talking underwater for the longest time. I have a Lenovo Legion H500 Pro headset with an in-line 7.1/EQ controller that connects via USB. The headset itself has a 3.5mm plug. My existence is forever changed!

[@danpinsky3783]

This video just saved me a lot of hassle that most of Google couldn't seem to help me with. I had no idea that there was essentially an entirely separate function for hearing your mic through your output device in BOTH input and output device settings! Thanks for setting this straight for me. Btw, using a ThronMax MDrill One USB mic with a built-in headphone jack. I was worried that I was out of luck with this being a USB mic, but this trick seems to allow me to link the headphones output directly from the mic itself without it having to go through the USB cable.

[@sweenysnot]

"howdy folks" and jumps straight into it. this man gets it.

[@sergiomorales2718]

Unfortunately I can't do this because I don't have the mics he is talking about. I am connected to a mic via line in to my laptop. This does not work for me unfortunately. =(

[@gabrielbeane300]

I'VE FOUND ANOTHER WAY!!!!!!!! back when I first got my pc from my brother I already had this option regardless of the microphone I used. About a year ago I got an SSD and I reset my entire PC so I lost this feature. I figured downloading Realtek HD audio drivers would fix this problem but it didn't. I did some digging and found specific Realtek audio drivers for my exact motherboard model online and once I downloaded them I gained the ability to use microphone playback without delay through the Realtek audio manager associated with my motherboard model. I'm not sure if this works with every motherboard brand but it worked with mine which is MSI.

[@Gluogie]

Dude you have absolutely no idea how long I have been searching for a fix for this. You are a legend!

[@falcongenix]

Can you make an updated version for windows 11? Please

[@isadorabrandeburski]

please

[@SJokes]

Yeah, so at first I didn't have the option under output and only the "listen feature" under input which caused the huge delay. But, I saw that someone mentioned in the comments that plugging it into the motherboard directly (instead of the PC case's port) will at least reduce the delay. But, this time a different device showed up under output and I was now instead able to enable the feauture in the video and have latency free mic monitorirng! Also, this was done using just my trusty $15 earphones and its mic.

[@fumbles4165]

Do you know exactly what you did to have the different output device show up? i know it was a while ago but i cant figure it out. Im using a HyperX headset

[@SJokes]

@@fumbles4165 Im pretty sure I just plugged my headphones into the back of pc (into the motherboard) and I have a second output called "speakers" now. This was a while ago so I cant really remember, and i dont even bother with mic monitoring anymore.

[@Shouko91]

@@SJokes Is your mic plugged in via USB or 3.5mm port? I just tried this to no avail. I guess it's because I plugged it in via USB.

[@mohayneerivera]

hi sir i know this has been a while but i use my laptop and im somehow lost at this point now

[@julianspittle2036]

I have a Trust gxt 256 which comes with an audio jack and you just showed me how to listen to myself with 0 delay!! The first time after hearing myself with delay for so many years is amazing man, thank you very much!!

[@dark_nz]

I cannot wait to get home and try this. All those videos and articles outlining the "Listen to this device" method should be pulled from the internet for misinformation

[@purpleshirtkid2732]

That really helps. Thanks. I've been trying to get my guitar amp to mirror through my computer for months, now. This is awesome

[@andreasostlund4081]

Man, i had no clue you could do this in windows, you should be TIME's person of the year for this breakthrough in computer science.

[@dsgant1616]

Honestly thank you. I turns out that I got really close to figuring it out, but I never clicked that microphone box to off. This has saved me so much headache!

[@maiitoVA]

THIS WAS SO HELPFUL THANK YOU!!!!! I have the Blue Yeti, but just yesterday I ordered the Deity VO-7U and it looks like it also has a headphone jack built into the mic, so I should be able to use this technique with the new mic as well! (I'm switching from condenser to dynamic because there's a lot of fan noise around my new setup)

[@helioghostt]

Apparently I already have the audio option enabled, but I still can't hear myself. When I did the microphone input (where you'd be able to hear it when recording), that worked. But using my speaker output, like shown, it doesn't work. What am I doing wrong?

[@BarryVCU]

Thank you. I got new Bose noise canceling headphones and they are great except I couldn’t hear myself when connected to my Yeti microphone. This video solved my issue quickly and easily. Much appreciated.

[@eleiling2688]

Do you have any tutorials for Windows 11 USB microphones? I can't seem to find any tutorials that has no delay thanks

[@dadricriggs]

My sound output device properties does not have a microphone level option. It only has a output levels option. How can I monitor my audio in real time?

[@zarvano7]

have you solved it bro?

[@kevintopper5534]

@@zarvano7 Unfortunately if your sound card doesn't support it you're out of luck. The best alternative I've found is to use the Behringer XENYX 302USB mixer. It worked flawlessly for me, and also has bass/treble adjustments as well.

[@zarvano7]

@@kevintopper5534 thx bro I got a behringer sound card also, I was trying to direct montor from a in ear headphone I got my solution for myself

[@Cr1ts__]

So I do not have the option that is used in this video. However, I figured out a way to cut down the delay of the Listen feature. Just note that this does not fully cut out the delay, but it definitely helps. Make sure that you have both your headset and mic connected into the back of your pc. This way they will both be connected directly to the motherboard, which helps when using the listen feature. When you speak through the mic, your input only needs to go through the motherboard and can easily access your headset since it is also connected to the motherboard. Therefore, there is a noticeable difference with the delay. But this will not fully get rid of it. I’m using this and just got use to the delay and it’s really not the noticeable any longer.

[@aidan2840]

Doesn’t make a difference for me at all

[@SJokes]

Dude I had the same issue as you, but now I tried what you suggested and I am instead able to enable the feature in the video and have latency free mic monitoring.

[@mohayneerivera]

hi sir i know this has been a while but i use my laptop and im somehow lost at this point now

[@nicknolan3183]

very straight forward & to the point. excellently done. but an update for windoews 11 would be great. cant figure it out if any has any advice.

[@ornelasstark2644]

This is amazing, it actually feels like you didn't have a headset on you at all

[@buffalorecordslatino4323]

We just bought the USB Condenser Microphone ROFEER Used at Guitar Center for a Pod Cast Show that we are creating in support of our brand of music and talents with the public and it sounds very good for what we need it for put we still get that slight delay when we sue it with OBS & Sam Broadcaster and it could be that the audio card is not compatible with the softwhere but we will continue to try and work it out. Thanks for your helpfull tip on adjusting the feature in the softhwere application.

[@ScienceBreather]

Thank you so much!! I have a razer kraken ultimate and had to switch from my PC to my work PC - without admin privs, so no synapse, and holy crap not having sidetone was AWFUL. I couldn't access it through the menus you showed, but I did the same thing through the classic UI - control panel -> sound -> speaker properties -> levels, and now I have non-lagged sidetone! Thank you so much!

[@jennyjennyable]

I’m still hearing a delay but your video definitely made sense of other things I was dealing with. I do voice overs for a living and just started working on this old laptop when I other system died. Very frustrated.

[@DucksInMayonnaise]

Oh, my, god. Thank you so much ! I'm taking singing lessons and I was looking for a feature like this for so long and it was right in front of my face all along, but I was focusing on how horrible the "listen" feature was instead. I'd give you a thousand thumbs up more if I could!

[@Shadow-Devil-b1t]

Can i do this on my xbox one

[@Shadow-Devil-b1t]

Plz reply

[@Spockitans]

I feel so stupid not knowing about this alternative for so many years. Usually these kinds of videos don't work out for me, but yours certainly did. Thank you so much, man!

[@taitano12]

Eh, don't feel stupid. As someone who used to be in that field, I am completely baffled that this isn't included in the manual. Five steps. Come on, Developers, that's a single page on a pocket size manual. 🙄

[@Kosaro1234]

Could you explain how to do this in windows 11?

[@christianforreal]

if you don't have a usb mic. and have an xlr mic like i do that you run through your audio interface.. then some infertaces have a button where if you press it you can here feedback instantly with no delay if you have a headset hooked up to your audio interface. only problem is i run my audio through adobe audition for processing and then bring it through OBS and haven't figured out a way to hear the finished audio after processing in real time with no delay. but i can hear my microphone with no delay without any processing which will have to work for now.

[@triplethea8176]

is there a way to do it on windows 11? cause i can't seem to find the "Additional device properties" anywhere

[@stevelindsey-qz2pm]

I'm having the same problem

[@CanadianFighter2k]

To do this on windows 11, you will need realtek audio driver for your respective motherboard. the settings will be in the application.

[@FilterBySubgenre]

if you're still having trouble try plugging in your green and pink microphone plugs onto the front or in my case the back of your pc. For some reason in the front the sound works but for this little thing it doesn't.

[@amuthita9170]

Just ordered Arozzi microphone b/c of this. Hope it works on my system. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@tedhuggins764]

This is a helpful video thank you. But I use an XLR microphone connected to a behringer USB audio interface. Would these tips still work in that regard, or is there something else I need to do to fix the latency?

[@suites.74]

Way easier for you. ASIO

[@kaieversonsodahl3267]

1:07 my microphone slider is missing! How do i get this back?

[@tufan886]

I have got blue Yeti. Having problems when recording.

[@relent107]

OHHH my gosh thank you so much. I always start talking in slow motion after like 5 words, and I'm streaming. Now I won't sound like an idiot.

[@Maggifix00]

Any solutions for getting this to work with a "logitech G Pro X" Headset? It only shows speakers levels for me

[@tigheklory]

I have the Razer Siren X which has a headphone jack on if for live monitoring which also mixes the audio from your computer. It's quite nice.

[@bonk4481]

who asked though

[@kvjf]

the microphone level showed on my old pc but it doesn't on my new one, do you know how to fix this?

[@jmadd6676]

IM USING THE SHURE MV7 XLR AND USB MICROPHONE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

[@xfelks]

bro you are a life saver!!! i was about to buy a Astro Mix Amp to hear myself talking when i found your video. thank u

[@YourVirgoBestie]

Even doing all these steps, I still have an echo. This is the 4th video I have searched from different creators, no one can help this delay on this Yeti. Thanks for trying though

[@ACE112ACE112]

Wish there was a way to have lagless sidetone for any microphone.

[@dvnty669]

I dont see a microphone option when I click on levels 1:02

[@Butzemann123]

thats awesome. The "listen to this device" functionality adds around 80ms to 100ms latency. Now i wonder if there is a line-in-usb converter that works exactly the same way. I want to mix in the sound from my gaming console into my computer without that horrible latency.

[@nicolaisandfeldjensen3556]

It only says Speakers and dosnt say microphone? what can the problem possibly be?

[@James_Bee]

The Mic doesn't support the feature, most likely.

[@aloeTevi]

If I have a jack Headset, can I monitor the mic if I use a jack to usb adapter?

[@bonbon5686]

this was REALLY helpful! the "earphone feedback" function at the karaoke app i'm using doesn't work and this serves as a great alternative. thank you so much!

[@Addisonminton111]

OMG thank you! i have been so stressed trying to figure out why my voice was delayed and now its fixed thank you!

[@TravelMaximizer]

Thanks for the video. I was hoping this would work for the blue snowball but I couldn't find additional settings like in your vid. Has anyone else been able to remove the delay from the blue snowball USB mic?

[@sixteenpennynails]

Sounds good. Unfortunately though, I don't see that option with the Blue Snowball.

[@playerbbl7770]

nice video but please help. when i used the previous usb sound card, i can find the mic under the tag 'levels' so that i could unmate it. But now that old sound card was out of order so i m forced to use the new one but a problem happens because i cannot find the microphone under the tag .that is: i can only see the 'speakers' instead of 'microphone' so i cannot unmate it without delay, pls help and thanks again

[@cameronross8812]

this is great except that I'm not monitoring the audio I'm putting out, I'm now monitoring just what the mic hears... If I have tuned a frequency too high, I won't ever know it from the monitor - this is fine if you're not applying any processing or volume adjustments in realtime while recording, but unfortunately only has minimal appreciatable benefits for my current situations (still leaving it set up like this though, as why not)

[@miftosaurus]

... the trick is... is working if OBS is started and you set the mic for output AND monitoring! that "listen to this device" is the culprit, and most of us tend to check this... and yeah, i have a electret mic, from an defective headset (cables, as usual), a homemade cable and a cheappo usb sound card, that one for 2 dollars, or lower! :)))) the mic is on my desktop, around 20 centimeters between my mouth and mic, and now... i can hear my voice, strong and clear, without delay IF i start OBS. of course, without OBS i hear exactly nothing... because OBS is now the only mixer, not windows mixer! :) win 7 here! :>

[@BlackShinobi.]

Same I use OBS to voice monitor

[@matyucovers367]

i cant see the microphone volume below the levels in speakers, do you know how to fix?

[@kermitus18]

is anyone able to figure this out with the Blue Snowball? There is no mic boost feature.

[@hosamefe]

Same issue. Just getting myself in here for the notif if there's ever an answer lol

[@GarretGarlinger]

So my Problem is the Gain on the Microphone is bad. So this Trick worked! But it's still very hard to hear the sidetone even at 100% and close to my mouth. is there a way to turn up the gain?

[@nabinlamichhane8335]

Same problem did you find any solution??

[@able.mp4]

i still cant find a solution. my mic doesnt have the built in thingy and its been like the bane of my existence trying to talk yet hearing that ear piercing overtone. i may need a lil more help

[@mybigdebutt]

HyperX Family: Please note when you do this be sure to click on the speaker icon as shown at 1:06 otherwise it won't make a difference. Change it to 8-15 for speakers & 30-45 for microphone.

[@Drewski1234]

I just bought the hyperx cloud ii's and this option doesn't work on my computer. I've updated firmware and software but whenever I go to additional device properties on the headset on the level adjuster for the headset is there, not the mic aswell. Do you know what else could fix the playback issue delay and how to increase to mic volume?

[@Dutch79]

I guess your instructions only apply to the USB headphones from HyperX (Cloud2 and Alpha S), but not a 3,5mm jacked HyperX Cloud Alpha like I have? Too bad.

[@ricma9710]

@@Dutch79 it worked for me on Win 11 with 3.5mm jack HyperX Cloud II. Now i installed Win 11 and don't have the same options. Edit: Figured it out, it only works for me on HyperX Cloud II when i install Realtek Audio Driver version 6.0.8928.1. Other versions didn't have this options

[@Colby_Cheese]

@@ricma9710 Does this work for Cloud Alphas?

[@ricma9710]

@@Colby_Cheese Not sure if it does since i don't have that headset, but i think it should work the same. Sorry, don't have Cloud Alphas to tell you with certainty.

[@bienbalajadia8345]

worked like a charm! got my Fifine mic off the junk box.

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Is there any *other* way to fix mic latency? I have a brand-new pair of Hewlett Packard H120 headphones and there doesn't seem to be a driver for them, so I can't fix the latency in the way this video describes.

[@JohnnyBeane]

I am running a Tascam 4 track with a SM 58 into my line in and i hear the echo when talking. I can't get rid of it. Any help would be awesome! Thank you!

[@ox_boogie]

im lost. adjusted the levels of the mic and all it did was lower and raise the volume. it did not fix the delay. that level slider is for volume not for timing. i still hear a delay but... lower. thats it

[@kylestyle5693]

Blue Yeti Nano does NOT offer this type output control. So if you want to have full control over the volume of your playback, do NOT buy a Blue Yeti Nano. Ps: Great video! Thank you.

[@beermanuk]

Was about to buy a new mic as I couldn't hear myself, such a convoluted way of doing things. Thanks

[@human890209yang]

This solution is based on the speaker's hardware. The proper windows driver only sets the hardware's mic monitoring on/off and the volume level. The mic's sound is passed through the hardware that's why this video can't show us the monitoring effect.

[@NON2ON]

It worked for my ATR2500-USB, but what to do if the microphone volume is too low even when I ramped up to 100% ?

[@fynnmehrens1333]

I got a new headset today that is connected via Bluetooth... Is there any way to also use this feature with headphones that are not directly connected to the audio jack of that microphone?(HyperX Quadcast S, just works the way it was shown in the video)

[@HamaP]

Just to be clear, you have your headphones connected to the computer and the only thing connected to your microphone is the usb cable and that's all right? Just to be clear, I am asking whether you have an aux cable connected to your microphone at all.

[@neilangeloauro2697]

Hi! I cannot find "Microphone" under the Levels tab. Can you help me please?

[@nmac101]

Thank you so much. I connected my iPod Video to my PC through aux like it was a microphone, played some musics, and it played on the pc! Ur a legend

[@DerNesor]

any clue where device properties are on 11?

[@LubaLuba1]

These advance settings only exist on some mics and what exactly will I be looking for before buying a mic with these advance settings ?

[@kimpanattoni]

Hopefully there is a similar solution on the Mac... have not found one yet.

[@ookamisenpai4218]

Well i have a problem cause rthe mic doesnt show up in the output levels settings. Btw the mic i have is HyperX quadcast

[@Waggly]

Same with me

[@madelinesaez5504]

same but i have a blue yeti nano

[@PuppyCow0716]

same but I have fifine t669

[@itzdevonHD]

@@PuppyCow0716 just got mine as well

[@kyukyoku_]

same chains aren't solutions to problems.

[@AliveFlow]

You are the best, man))

[@kon-el2334]

Im Missing my mic slider please tell me how to find it

[@Soulixian231]

same :/

[@hanshuedits7584]

I’m pretty sure it’s because the mic you have isn’t compatible with real time playback. I have a usb desk mic and it is not compatible either. I’ve dealt with this problem for a while and I’m just going to buy a yeti or something that does do it.

[@KforKaspur]

@@hanshuedits7584 This isn't always true, I just replaced my PC with a shiny new one and lost this functionality with the new PC... same headset

[@James_Bee]

@@KforKaspur Perhaps drivers.

[@johnbohnam9867]

Omg i love you so much i cried trying to do this ;-; But you made it easy and straight forward

[@andization]

This is so helpful!!! I dont have the "microphone" portion at 1:04. I tried a 3.5m jack headset and a USB-C headset - both didnt work. pls help! do I need to use an expensive USB headset with microphone?

[@mousedandy]

So at 1:25, I do not have the Microphone slider whatsoever. it ONLY has speakers for my headset. But it does have a mic. Am I doing something wrong? My mic works but it's not showing up at all in this window

[@techyesplc]

I have an Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone. I run it to my computer through a Komplete Audio 1 USB interface. Unfortunatly, I can't get monitoring to work as shown in the video. I don't have the unmute option, nor a 2nd slider bar at all. All I can do is select "listen to this device" and get the awful monitoring with the delay that is completely unusable.

[@EpicSquirlAttack]

I don't have my Mic shown in the levels tab :( I have the Razer Seiren Mini

[@MrBlazingninja]

I was able to get it working with my desktop mic and the mic no delay pass through let me listen to myself through my headset mic.

[@poiseful]

is there a way to do this on windows 11

[@MiyakaOno]

aww sad my mic doesnt seem to have that settings.

[@vincentdandini3411]

Bro thank you you have no idea how fast I was gunna return this mic for not having mic monitoring lol

[@PiotrBarcz]

Yeah unfortunately that second microphone slider doesn't show up on my device when going into either the speaker properties or the microphone properties :(

[@AlexJG4472]

Thank you so much for this, I was stuck between laggy mic monitoring or silence and it was hard to focus. Great video

[@ronevergrow8319]

They had this back in the early 90s on high end Tape Master recorders.

[@sevmen9005]

there is no slider for the microphone for me just speakers for some reason

[@jacksonbaerny1975]

i use a hyperx microphone on my desk and i dont see a microphone option under the "levels" tab in the output section. can anyone help me out?

[@MrBlazingninja]

I was able to get it working with my desktop mic and the mic no delay pass through let me listen to myself through my headset mic. Reply

[@mubarakalghfeli9411]

I have a FIFINE t669 and I cant find that feature, is there another program for it?

[@reksai2514]

"This must be what it feels like hearing voices in your head" bruh why you gotta attack like that hahahaha

[@yess6267]

ye the problem is. theres nothing like that for me. i dont know why is it becuse my headphone is jack not usb? tried to plug back and front of the pc, nothing. i dont know if its helps but im using Razer Kraken light

[@UR_F8]

how do you do this on windows 11

[@MrJollyRoger]

Hahaha, thank you for doing this mate. It's very off putting having the lag, so cheers for helping us all out. Have a good one

[@Zebra_Paw]

That works... I thought there was no way to do this because Windows was just too bad for sound input! Thanks a lot

[@fromage77]

This was a really well made video, you were funny but without wasting anyones time and this was a great resource. Subbed, hope you gain a lot of followers OSB

[@KhiangSeow]

Very helpful. I have a blue yeti.

[@efajunk]

I had to add 10db to mic after all of this, and now it's perfectly fine

[@TiaguinhoMu]

any clue if a blue yeti mic would work if there is an USB headset directly into the computer? i know yeti offer you this feature if you plug a P3 headset directly into it, but i already own a razer kraken USB headset so i wonder if im going to be able to hear my voice from the yeti without the delay