There are many stakeholders involved here, and while we all know what happens when cooks and broth interact with a degree of surplus, the Wave:3 is a formidable debut for this triumvirate of brands. You need a broadcast-grade microphone that plugs directly into your setup, and a mixer to blend audio sources with ease. It’s also here that the low-cut filter feature lives, removing deeper tones and ambient room sounds from the background of your audio. The sounds is super choppy/robotic/cutting off like I hit max gain (but my gain is ~40%). Unlike those aforementioned mics, the Wave:3 only has a cardioid configuration. The gain or loudness of the Wave:3 microphone can be set to 0. Elgato released their first audio department products: the Wave:1 and Wave:3, USB microphones for content creators. Elgato has decided to enter the microphone market with two variants, WAVE 1 being the cheaper option, and WAVE 3 … I turned this thing up to the max and spoke loudly into it from a 0.5 inch away, and it still didn’t give up on me. I’ve genuinely taken bigger dictaphones to press events than this mic. And that didn’t come with the baggage of sounding tinny or cheap. You also get a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack in the back. That’s not to say it sounded totally palatable under those conditions, but hearing a limiter kicking in aggressively is much easier on the ear than hearing the fuzz of a distorted signal. This polar pattern focuses on sound in front of the mic’s diaphragm. Priced at $160, the Wave:3 -- which works with PC and PlayStation 4, plus the Elgato Stream Deck -- sits up there with the Blue Yeti X ($170) at the more expensive end of the market. © In truth, the Wave:3 doesn’t look as convincing as a piece of studio kit as the marginally pricier Blue Yeti X, its nearest competition in both price and features. This item Elgato Wave:3, Premium USB Condenser Microphone and Digital Mixing Solution, Anti-Clipping Technology, Capacitive Mute, Streaming and Podcasting , 10MAB9901 Rode NT-USB Microphone, Black Blue Microphones Yeti - USB Microphone for Recording and streaming on PC and Mac, 3 Condenser capsules, 4 Pick-Up Patterns, Headphone Output and Volume Control, Black (Blackout) When I used the Elgato Wave:3, the high end’s clarity and richness cut through, which is handy when you’re talking over gameplay footage. While it is possible to push the pop filter to the point of failure, it’s another genuinely impressive inclusion. It’s a really valuable feature. I'm using my Elgato Wave:3 microphone mounted on the Boom Arm that came with my Maono AU-PM422 microphone kit I got for $79 USD. Visit our corporate site. That’s thanks to the Wave:3’s under-the-radar killer feature: a hard compressor/limiter, which Elgato calls Clipguard, that means you don’t ever peak. To be clear, this doesn’t confuse the formation of vowel sounds; it just minimizes the harshness of P, K, T and B sounds. The Wave:3’s mic capsule is just 6 inches tall and weighs 0.6 pounds (280g). Headphone monitoring too is exemplary, resisting peaking and distortion even at really high output levels, and that really speaks for the circuitry inside this mic. And it sounds … well, it sounds very good. Wave:3 is a premium microphone and digital mixing solution that fuses plug and play convenience with broadcast-grade circuitry. In addition to the aforementioned Clipguard anti-peaking technology, (which proves genuinely impressive even when you try your damnedest to break it), there’s an internal pop shield constructed of several layers behind the guard. NY 10036. However, the mic mute button located on the very top is a touch-sensitive inlay rather than a mechanical button. Like the aforementioned Yeti X, Elgato’s debutante streamer mic manages to place a lot of control into one dial at the front. Its materials -- plastics on the capsule body itself, metal on the base -- mask any smears and smudges caused by greasy fingerprints. The Elgato Wave:3 is a deceptively feature-laden mic for a unit with so few dials and buttons. Elgato revealed its first-ever microphones last week--the Wave 1 and Wave 3. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This item Elgato Wave:3, Premium USB Condenser Microphone and Digital Mixing Solution, Anti-Clipping Technology, Capacitive Mute, Streaming and Podcasting, 10MAB9901 Shure MV7 USB Podcast Microphone for Podcasting, Recording, Live Streaming & Gaming, Built-In Headphone Output, All Metal USB/XLR Dynamic Mic, Voice-Isolating Technology, TeamSpeak Certified - Black You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Total Price Tax Shipping Store In Stock $131.99. It works for fine for couple of minutes then it starts to degrade badly during meetings for example. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, The Elgato branding’s kept to a minimum in the form of a lone white-on-black logo on the front and a very subtle inscription of “Wave:3” up the right side. It's heavy and sturdy. Elgato sent us the Wave: 3, and the big difference is a 96kHz sample rate over the Wave: 1's 48kHz, and a handy capacitive mute button that lets you cut the microphone with the lightest of taps. This means that the mic picks up audio … Automatic Gain Control is a system where the chat program tries to keep the sound level consistent while the sound coming into the microphone gets louder or quieter. Lastly, it comes with some similar features as the Blue Yeti which are; A Mute button, gain control, headphone volume, and the mix control between the computer’s playback and zero-latency monitoring. They’re long black oblongs that remind me of old-fashioned radio microphones, the kind that you might be tempted to cup in your hand and croon ballads into — though I would advise against that, as it’s heavy with audio pickups on both sides. However, the stand’s adequate too if you don’t have a boom. Despite all these great features, there’s a lot less low end in the Wave:3’s recordings than Blue’s Yeti X. It would have been great to see a physical control for the low cut filter on the mic instead of having to load up the software, too, but that’s really getting into the weeds in terms of grievances. Elgato Wave:3 - Gain level changing on its own Some programs, notably video conferencing software like Skype For Business , Slack and others have a feature called Automatic Gain Control or AGC . It’s thanks to features like Clipguard and the built-in pop shield that the Wave:3 justifies its price tag and earns a place in the market’s upper echelons, both in terms of monetary outlay and quality. Please refresh the page and try again. But with 24-bit / 96 KHz audio, dimensions small enough to take on the road and a few hidden, but very valuable, features, it really gives the streamer mic market a good fight. The Elgato Wave: 3 microphone represents the company’s first foray into gaming mics, and it’s an impressive one. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. 24 incredible video games you can finish in one night See all photos On top of that, studio mic specialist Lewitt actually manufactures the product. And although the Wave:3 is very much intended for things like Twitch or YouTube compression, it’s also capable of high-res audio recording in up to 24-bit / 96 KHz. The Elgato Wave:3 is an amazing audio tool, but it doesn't quite nail the software side of things. Posted by 5 days ago. Prices. Hello all. Never clip again thanks to proprietary anti-distortion technology. But you’ll also have to live with a little less low-end captured by the mic.If that’s dealbreaker for you, the Blue Yeti X is $10 more than the Wave:3 (as of this writing) and doesn’t have this issue. This would have been better as a physical button on the mic, but hey -- it’s still there. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Of course, this is very intentional since the Elgato Wave 3 was designed with gaming and streaming in mind, where extra microphone patterns really don’t serve any purpose. Both microphones are now available for purchase and feature some pretty impressive hardware and software. That’s nice to have in your back pocket in case you ever want to start podcasting at higher quality than livestreams allow. 1.9k. Of course it’s very handy to have the monitoring volume level accessible on that front dial. The ElGato Wave 3 (affiliate link to Amazon) comes with all the features I mentioned earlier and it even includes a software designed to help you mix different audio sources for your stream, making it the ideal choice for most gamers and streamers.. Let’s go over what you get in the box, the build quality, all the different features, and how it performs; The all-black, matte design can fit into any setup. It feels better constructed than the Yeti X’s, so take another shot if you’re playing the Yeti X drinking game while reading this review. Elgato Wave 3 - microphone Specs & Prices. New York, There are eight tracks into which you can assign game audio, voice chat, music, alerts and even multiple mics. Elgato Wave:3 – USB Condenser Microphone and Digital Mixer for Streaming, Recording, Podcasting - Clipguard, Capacitive Mute, Plug & Play for PC / Mac Brand: Elgato 4.8 out of 5 stars 808 ratings There are two ways to turn up the gain. For comparison, the Yeti X capsule is much heavier at 1.14 pounds, and the gear hits 2.8 pounds if you add the stand. Elgato Wave:3 Premium Microphone and Digital Mixing Solution. The Wave:3 is the company's foray into the microphone space and as is typical for Elgato, they knock it out of the park immediately. The Elgato Wave:3 is a compelling microphone. Elgato Wave:3 – USB Condenser Microphone and Digital Mixer for Streaming, Recording, Podcasting - Clipguard, Capacitive Mute, Plug & Play for PC/Mac Brand: Elgato 4.7 out of 5 stars 903 ratings If you’re looking for an all-rounder with home studio chops, as well as podcasting, streaming and anything else you can throw at it, the Yeti X is still king. I am having a big issue with my Wave 3 mic. I found during testing that I didn’t need to add a traditional pop shield while recording. View Entire Discussion (16 Comments) More posts from the Twitch community. Pushing the dial in cycles between gain, monitoring volume and PC-mic mix, indicated by the lights above the dial. The Elgato Wave 3 enters an already crowded marketplace with models like the HyperX Quadcast and Razer Seiren X occupying the same space as the Wave 3 - USB, by a company known for gaming products - but also one that has a lot of hardcore audio companies too. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. It all comes down to purpose. Its Clipguard feature and frequency response makes it as close to an idiot-proof recording device as possible, given how much they mitigate the problems of getting too close to a microphone. Post a comment. It’s not a versatile quasi-studio model with a variety of polar patterns, which explains the directions from which a mic picks up sound. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. If you want taller range over the Wave:3 though, the Yeti X can extend to up to 11.4 inches. Perfect for the Wave:3. If you want to stream on Twitch or chat with friends while you play and record YouTube voiceover, the Wave:3’s software and hardware place it at the forefront. As such, the mic’s intended as a master of the vocal streamer mic game rather than a jack-of-all-trades. Elgato has just launched a line of streaming-focused desktop microphones in the form of the Wave series, and I’ve been spending some time with the Wave:3. The Elgato Wave:3 comes with an adapter for connecting the mic to a boom arm, (which isn’t included, sadly). This is annoying, but when the Wave:3 works, it’s pretty great. Both mics offer great tone, but for capturing a bit more of those bass frequencies, the Yeti X is better. This being Elgato, Wave Link is primarily for those broadcasting live, but it’s also very handy for anyone who plays a lot of online games where communication is a focal point. You will receive a verification email shortly. Meet Wave:3 — your complete solution. You can improve the Elgato Wave:3’s sound quality through some tweaking in the software (more on that below), but the streaming mic performs properly right out of the box. At least there’s no pop sound when you do, thanks to the mic’s internal pop filter. However, the stand’s adequate too if you don’t have a boom. The differences between the Wave:1 and 3 aren’t immediately apparent, as they’re largely identical. This dial is simple, efficient and it’s easy to keep track of and use. Introducing WAVE 1 and WAVE 3. Elgato Wave:3. Rather than top your desk like a grand, RGB-emitting statement, the Wave:3 packs its features into a smart and compact body with bare minimum of fuss. Quality content requires excellent sound. Wave Link software. Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. Before today’s announcement of the Elgato Wave:3 USB microphone though, it wasn’t a name associated with audio. We tested the more advanced Wave:3, which comes equipped with a high-quality condenser capsule, a digital mixer, and many other useful features. There was a problem. $131.99. Plus, the filter worked well in tandem with Clipguard. Elgato Wave:3 with pop filter. Elgato HD60 Pro1080p60 Capture and Passthrough, PCIe Capture Card, Low-Latency Technology, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One with Wave:3 – USB Condenser Microphone and … The gain may need to be turned up. Elgato has been a big name in streaming gear since humankind first became interested in showcasing their gameplay on the Internet. But Elgato isn’t alone in its endeavor to make the best gaming microphone for streamers. The Wave:3 is full-bodied, sounds professional and will ensure your streams remain very listenable no matter how loudly you shriek as you open FUT packs or win in Fortnite. The Wave Link app, which works for the Wave:3 and the lower-priced Wave:1 Is essentially a mixing station. If you’re looking for a mic that doubles up for your at-home re-recording of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, it’s best to look elsewhere, like the Yeti X or the HyperX Quadcast (look for the letter X in the name, basically). Elgato has also released the Wave:1. Open Wave Link ; Click on the Wave:3 channel and make sure the gain is not set to 0 . The Wave:3, Elgato’s first flagship gaming microphone effort, ushers in a bounty of features and smart considerations that you don’t find on other mics. The Elgato Wave 3 is one of two new microphones from Elgato, which aims to give streamers an affordable high-quality all-in-one condenser mic with impressive studio features on the side. But while the Yeti X outshines the Wave:3 with its mix of materials and finishes, Elgato’s mic makes up for it in size and weight. Elgato HD60 Pro1080p60 Capture and Passthrough, PCIe Capture Card, Low-Latency Technology, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One with Wave:3 – USB Condenser Microphone and … Portability is the name of the game here. Elgato Wave 3 - microphone | 10MAB9901. Wave:3 Multi-function dial . Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Once you get it up and running, having Wave Link on hand will save you time over dipping into Windows’ sound settings or your best gaming headset’s software. Since 2018, Elgato’s gaming business has been under the good ship Corsair’s command. The Elgato Wave 1 ($130) and Wave 3 ($160) microphones are both available now on Elgato's website. $0.00. One of the best ... Audio-wise, the Wave 3 includes a premium condenser capsule that uses a cardio pickup pattern. Elgato Wave 3. We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Best Holiday Raspberry Pi Deals: Cases, HATs, Kits, More, 6 x 2.6 x 1.6 inches (15.3 x 6.6 x 4.0cm), USB-C to USB Type-A cable, removable stand, boom arm adapter. This makes it too easy to accidentally brush and mute yourself. This gives the mic points in the categories of ease of use and mobility. A generous swathe of hardware and software features make the Elgato Wave:3 the streamer mic to beat, but it’s less versatile than others on the market. Plosive sounds tend to cause spikes in the waveform anyway, and, thus, the limiter would kick in and mellow out the worst of the sound. 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