All set with your new mic, but want to make sure it works fine? Well, that’s extremely important. Known as live monitoring or monitoring, hearing yourself on your microphone is crucial to ensure the sound quality is optimal, your voice sounds crystal clear, and there is little to no background noise.
And, of course, it assures you that your mic functions well.
Oh, but there is this important question of how to hear yourself on the mic; only when you can do that can you best determine the audio quality.
Well, that’s not a biggie at all. If you were often asking yourself how to hear yourself on the mic, you will get the answer to all your queries today.
I’ll be sharing with you different ways to hear your own voice on your microphone. Hence, you are better prepared for your podcasting, streaming, audio recording, and any other content creation ventures.
Table of contents
How to Hear Your Own Voice in Headset?
One of the most common queries that I have received is: how to hear my own voice in headset? So I thought to begin this read with this particular query.
You can easily hear yourself on a mic using headphones to check the microphone’s voice. Follow the simple steps below, and you’ll be all set to hear your own voice on the headphones through mic monitoring.
First, you need to have a pair of closed-back headphones so they cover both your ears, efficiently block out any background noise, and prevent any possible audio leakage in the mic.
Next, if yours is a USB mic containing an integrated headphone jack, connect it to the complementing output on the mic. If you are using an audio interface, practice the same step with it.
After that, you need to adjust the headset’s volume to a level comfortable for you. It is best to begin with a low volume to evade any distortion or feedback.
Then gradually increase the volume till it reaches your desired level.
Check the control software or user manual of your device to enable its monitoring. This is the setting you need to switch on to properly hear yourself in headphones in real time.
You may experience some latency, aka audio delay, when you speak and hear yourself. This is basically the gap between the time you speak into the mic, and hear your own voice in the headset. To get rid of these feedback loops, you need to modify the audio buffer settings in your audio interface or recording software. Decreasing the buffer size tends to reduce the latency too. This tactic also resolves the problem regarding how to hear yourself on the mic without delay.
If your microphone is too close to your mouth, move slightly far. If it is too far, bring it closer to your mouth so the microphone does not pick up any distortions and unwanted noise. Basically, you need to experiment a little with your microphone’s position to ensure your volume is just right.
Now speak into your microphone, and see if you need to adjust the headset’s volume and also examine the audio quality.
Ideally, you should hear your voice in real-time as you speak into the mic.
Remember to be careful about the placement of both, the headphone and microphone. Keep your headset speakers and microphone as far apart as you can to circumvent any feedback. If there are feedback problems, lower the headset’s volume, or adjust your mic’s position.
Once you have a comfortable mic monitoring set up, and you can clearly hear yourself through your headphones, you can start your audio recording.
How to Hear Yourself on Mic in Windows 10
If you are using Windows 10 on your computer, you can set up your mic such that you can hear your voice in real-time courtesy of the integrated audio settings.
Here’s what you need to do.
Open Sound Settings
You should see a speaker icon in the system tray or taskbar of Windows.
Right-click on it.
Next, open the sound settings.
You can also open the settings, and then select ‘system’ followed by ‘sound.’
Scroll down to the ‘related settings’ area.
After that, hover over and press the ‘sound control panel’ that you see on the right.
Check the Audio Input in the Microphone’s Properties
When the sound window opens, hover to the ‘recording’ tab. You will see a list of different audio input devices there. The list should also include your microphone.
Press right-click on the mic, and choose ‘properties’, and you’ll open up the microphone settings and properties.
Activate ‘Listen to This Device’ Option
Keeping the window of the microphone properties open, move to the ‘listen’ tab.
Check the little box you see next to the option ‘listen to this device.’
Choose the Playback Device
Once you have selected the ‘listen to this device’ option, hover on the ‘playback through this device’ option. You’ll see the drop-down menu.
There would be a default playback device already selected. It could be your headphone or speaker.
You need to select the playback device (your speakers or headphones) through which you’d like to hear your own voice.
Press the ‘apply’ button so you can save the changes.
Click on ‘ok’ to close the ‘sound settings’ window.
Test Your Setup
Now you need to check the setup to see if you can hear your voice clearly in the microphone.
Speak in the microphone.
If you do hear your voice via the playback device you opted for, you have successfully set up the desired settings. You may have to adjust the mic volume to hear yourself clearly.
Work on this method, and you’ll find it easy to monitor your voice in real-time through your microphone.
How to Hear Your Voice on Mic Using Windows 11
So I have discussed the process you need to follow to hear your playback microphone if you are using Windows 10. What about the scenario if you are using Windows 11 instead?
Again, relax because I’ll be telling you precisely what you need to do in that situation too.
Open the Sound Settings
Hover to the ‘start’ button on your personal computer.
Click it and choose the ‘settings’ option to access the ‘Windows Settings.’
Once it opens up, you need to access the sound settings.
Access the Sound Settings
You will see an option titled ‘System’ in the windows settings.
Click on it, and then select the ‘sound’ option you see on the left side.
Select the ‘microphone’ option.
Scroll down till you see the ‘input’ section.
Click on ‘choose your input device’, and a dropdown menu will flash in front of you.
Now click on ‘microphone’ to open microphone settings.
When you select the microphone, you will see a toggle switch titled ’hear myself.’
You need to turn it on.
Adjust the Volume and Check the Setup
Now you need to adjust the volume of the audio device to reach a comfortable level and hear your voice properly.
Click on the option ‘device properties’ right next to the ‘microphone’ under the input devices section.
The microphone properties window will open up.
Hover over the volume slider you see in the ‘hear me’ area and adjust it according to your needs.
Once you are through with that step, start speaking into your mic.
Ideally, you should be able to hear your voice via the selected output device i.e. speakers or headphones. In this case, it should be your headphone. This will be your default recording device till you change it.
That’s just it. By simply going through your computer’s audio settings, you can access sound settings and hear your audio playback through your microphone. Check the sound quality, and make changes to the sound level if need be.
Also, make sure that your microphone is properly connected to your computer to execute successful mic monitoring. Do close unnecessary programs while performing this action so there are no interruptions in the background.
One thing that you need to remember is that the Windows 11 settings vary according to different versions and updates. Make sure you follow the guidelines specific to the operating system version you are using.
How to Hear Your Voice on Microphone Using Mac
Seeing the widespread popularity and usage of Mac, it only makes sense to discuss what you need to do to hear your own voice on your microphone if you are using Mac.
Well, here you go!
Access the Sound Preferences
Click on the ‘apple’ logo you see on your screen’s top-left corner.
Select the option labeled ‘system preferences.’
Open the ‘sound preferences.’
Click on the ‘sound’ option.
Choose the Input Device
Hover to the ‘input’ tab.
You will see a list of input devices. From amongst those, select your microphone.
Make sure you are using a compatible mic which allows you to monitor the mic input (sidetone.)
Check the mic’s control software, or the sound preferences section to activate the ‘sidetone’ or ‘input monitoring’ option. This may be found in the control panel of your microphone.
Adjust Input and Test
You will see a volume control for sidetone or input monitoring in the app or same control panel section you accessed earlier.
Adjust the volume according to your preference.
Now speak in your microphone to check the audio output and output levels.
You would be successful in hearing your voice via your selected output device (speaker or headset) in real-time.
You may need to adjust the volume levels to increase the audio input. Make those changes accordingly. Remember that not every microphone supports input monitoring. Be sure to check your mic’s control software or documentation for this compatibility.
Also, the exact location of these settings also varies according to the audio interface or microphone you are using. Always consult the user manuals of your microphone to ensure you implement the right set of instructions.
Start Listening to Your Voice on Your Microphone
I have shared with you the different ways you can hear yourself on your microphone. You know the way to hear your voice directly through your headset, using Windows 10 and 11, and while using Mac.
Just make sure to check the specifications of your recording device, equipment, and software, so you choose a method that fits your preferences and recording setup the best.
If you can hear yourself on your microphone, but aren’t pleased with the audio quality, the issue is likely due to the mic’s quality. To get high-quality audio, it is best to invest in a high-end microphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, the best way to eliminate latency or microphone delay is to either use a USB headphone or an audio interface that comes with a direct monitoring feature. That way, you will easily hear your voice without any sort of delay in real-time.
If you want to hear your voice while you record, use the software monitoring option in your recording application. You can also use a microphone that comes with the built-in monitoring feature, or an audio interface boasting direct monitoring. Moreover, you can also enable the ‘microphone playback’ option by accessing the sound settings of your computer.
Sharoon Shahid
Hi! I’m Sharoon Shahid, founder of Audiblearray. With a decade of experience in using mics, I’m here to guide you on your audio journey and save you from gear pitfalls!
