HyperX DuoCast specs
Mics: Two electret condenser capsules
Polar patterns: Cardioid, omnidirectional
Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz
Sensitivity: 6dBFS (1V/Pa at 1kHz)
Weight: 0.53 kilos
Measurement: 7.9x 4.6 x 3.74 inches
HyperX brings one other high quality providing to the USB mic area with its DuoCast, and I’m right here for it. For simply $99, you get a solid-performing mic, enjoyable lighting, a sturdy light-weight stand with a built-in shock mount, and wonderful software program to around the expertise out.
HyperX is a superb peripherals firm that fuels the gaming and streaming ecosystem with high quality, inexpensive merchandise. The USB-powered DuoCast microphone joins its lineup of trendy broadcast-ready mics. That includes easy-to-use controls, a cool customizable RGB strip mild, a built-in pop filter, and its shock mount, the DuoCast offers the burgeoning streamer all they should get proper to it. The DuoCast works throughout a number of platforms resembling Mac, Home windows, PS5, and PS4, protecting the gambit of gaming setups. The DuoCast brings so much to the desk for simply $99. May it discover its place on our greatest USB microphones web page?
Go to the fridge, snatch a chilly one, and let’s see if the HyperX DuoCast will be the cross-platform USB mic you’ve been looking for.
HyperX DuoCast USB mic value and availability
The DuoCast includes a easy but elegant gaming/streaming mic design that mixes perform, gaming components, and plug-and-play functionality. The HyperX DuoCast USB mic prices $99 and is out there now at HyperX. Compared, the MSI GV60 will run you $129, and the JLab Speak Professional prices $107.
HyperX DuoCast USB mic design
The DuoCast is analogous in design to its lineup sibling, the HyperX Quadcast, nevertheless it has some components of the SoloCast (opens in new tab) as nicely, making it the right mixture of each. The DuoCast is primarily fabricated from laborious plastic and feels sturdy when held in my hand. The included desktop stand and shock mount create a safe feeling towards unintentional bumps or sudden actions, protecting the DuoCast regular and secure.
The achieve management and selector for polar patterns are situated on the again of the microphone. There’s a headphone jack on the again for monitoring and audio playback. Trying on the high, we discover a touch-sensitive tap-to-mute button linked to the RGB mild strip that signifies the standing of the mic.
Oddly, there isn’t any threaded gap for mounting a mic arm. Nevertheless, I’m guessing from the look of issues, it might be potential to unscrew it from the stand hinge and join it to the hinge mount on a increase arm. It options an RGB lighting strip round its heart above the shock mount.
You’ll be able to customise the colours through the HyperX Ngenuity app.
One different cool design function I observed whereas recording is that the RGB ring mild is used to point while you change your function settings. For instance, for those who alter the mic achieve, the sunshine will briefly change shade to point the extent of achieve you’ve added or subtracted. The identical holds true while you swap polar patterns; you’ll discover that it’ll briefly show a unique shade to point the sample change. Lastly, while you faucet the mute button on the high of the mic, the ring mild will go darkish to point your mic is now muted. All of this simply provides to the general cleverness of the design.
The DuoCast measures 7.9 x 4.6 x 3.74 inches and weighs 0.53 kilos whereas sitting in its stand, making it tremendous light-weight, transportable, and far lighter than our overlord of USB mics, the Shure MV7, which is available in at 1.2 kilos and measures 6.1 x 3.6 inches.
HyperX DuoCast USB mic audio high quality
The DuoCast is a properly packaged USB mic with some wonderful options and efficiency. Setup was a breeze, with each my PC and Mac immediately recognizing the mic, permitting me to plug it in and get recording. I plugged a pair of headphones into the three.5mm monitoring audio jack and bought to it.
You need to management your headphone monitoring quantity through the HyperX Ngenuity app. In the event you’re on a PC and a Mac, it’s a must to use the system’s quantity controls, so no worries, it’s hyper plug and play — and good to go proper out of the field.
The DuoCast additionally comes with two polar patterns so that you can select from. The cardioid focuses on capturing the audio produced proper in entrance of the mic while you’re utilizing the mic by your self. This works greatest while you’re alone making a stream, podcast, Google Meet, or recording a voiceover. The cardioid sample excelled as I recorded a check podcast whereas sitting immediately in entrance of it. The deep pure tones of my voice had been warmly reproduced through the recording, and I used to be impressed with the standard.
I discovered the omnidirectional sample wonderful for multi-person podcasting and interviews once I examined it with a pal. The DuoCast picked up our voices and crisply reproduced them throughout recording whilst we sat again in our seats. There was slightly extra background noise, and whereas that is to be anticipated, the outcomes had been excellent. Switching between polar patterns is straightforward, because of the achieve management knob that may swap patterns by urgent down on it.
I chatted with my daughter over Google Meet, and she or he beloved the sunshine ring and the audio high quality a lot that she tried to get me to provide it to her. After saying no, I thanked her for her time and supplied her a increase in allowance. We each gained, and the HyperX DuoCast carried out properly through the alternate.
Software program
The Ngenuity software program obtain is free and provides spectacular performance to the general expertise. Though the DuoCast may be very plug-and-play and doesn’t require the usage of software program, I counsel downloading it on a PC, because it ranges up the expertise. Ngenuity enables you to fine-tune your audio settings and manipulate your RGB lighting.
On the audio aspect of issues, Ngenuity may be very user-friendly, clear, and provides customers a superb interface to switch the mics settings. You’ll be able to simply alter the mic achieve, monitor quantity, mute, have interaction the excessive cross filter, and swap polar patterns. The RGB lighting changes are enjoyable, and there are various results and patterns to select from. Lastly, you’ll be able to create presets for each lighting and audio, so your favourite settings are simply turned on and able to go.
Backside Line
The HyperX DuoCast is an ideal budget-friendly USB mic for gaming and streaming with strong to excellent audio efficiency, because of its two polar sample choices. For $99, its construct high quality, options, and Ngenuity software program are a successful mixture. It is a nice alternative for avid gamers on a price range who’ve perfected their thumb-powered athletic abilities and are able to stream content material.
