HyperX QuadCast Static Noise? – Here’s How to Fix
If HyperX QuadCast static noise is getting on your nerves, let’s resolve the issue permanently!
HyperX QuadCast is considered one of the best microphones on the market, but the static noise is just not quite on point.
Luckily, there are many ways to decrease and completely conceal the “hissing”, “buzzing” and overall static noise from your HyperX QuadCast.
So let’s check the fixes:
If HyperX QuadCast is producing a static noise, reduce the background noises, lower the gain, adjust the polar pattern, and set up NGENUITY.
In addition, you should dislocate any radio-interference devices and factory reset your mic.
Let’s check the possible causes of the QuadCast static noise!
Why is Hyper QuadCast Making Static Noise Constantly?hyperx quadcast static noise
Here’s what can result in the production of QuadCast static noises:
Quite a few reasons eh? Don’t worry, we’re going to tackle them all!
HyperX QuadCast Static Noise – Complete Step-By-Step Guide!
1. Reduce the Background Noises
So, the first and most important step if your HyperX QuadCast making static noise is to reduce the background noises.
These noises involve vibration, air conditioning, outdoor sounds, and other audio distortions that are coming from the mic’s environment/room.
So, if possible, try to achieve perfect silence and test if your QuadCast static noise is still there!
2. Lower HyperX QuadCast’s Gain
The HyperX QuadCast’s input may sound noisy or produce static noises due to over-increased microphone Gain.
Like with the polar pattern, your microphone’s gain can be adjusted through the built-in regular knob on the bottom of the HyperX QuadCast.
So, to increase the gain, the knob must be turned left and to decrease, the knob must turn to the right.
However, keep in mind that boosting the gain increases the mic’s pickup sensitivity, thus reducing it may require you to speak more loudly or from a closer distance.
How Does High Gain Cause Static Noise?
The higher the microphone’s gain, the stronger the QuadCast’s pickup sensitivity, sometimes resulting in static or unpleasant noise after a particular margin.
So, keep the QuadCast’s gain regulated at the half-point of the knob to prevent the HyperX microphone from producing static.
Quick Tip: There’s a miniature arrow, pointing at where the microphone’s knob is set at!
3. Adjust QuadCast’s Polar Pattern
So, apart from regulating your Gain, the HyperX QuadCast comes with up to 4 selectable polar patterns that can be adjusted through a knob on the front.
You can select from Omnidirectional Stereo, Cardioid, and Bidirectional polar patterns to alter how the QuadCast picks up sound.
Let’s review each of the polar patterns available on the QuadCast!
About Omnidirectional:
When set, the microphone starts picking up noises from all directions.
This polar pattern has a wider application in conference calls and multi-person podcasts.
About Stereo:
The “Stereo” pattern is a standard microphone polarity, allowing the QuadCast to pick up noise from the left, right, and back.
It is generally used with vocals or instruments.
About Cardioid:
The most used polar pattern on the QuadCast is the “Bidirectional,” setting the microphone to pick up sound from the back.
It can be used on podcasts, streaming, or voiceovers.
About Bidirectional:
The “Bidirectional” polarity allows the QuadCast top to pick up noise from front and back and has a strong application in face-to-face or interview settings.
Pro Tip: For standard use, it is recommended to use the “Omnidirectional” polar pattern!
4. Install/Set Up HyperX NGENUITY
If you’re still wondering how to reduce background noise on HyperX QuadCast, you should set up the “NGENUITY” interface on your computer.
The software contains specialized drivers for your HyperX products and immediately solves the static noise from the QuadCast microphone.
The installation is simple!
Go to the Microsoft Store on your PC, search for “NGENUITY” and download the software on your PC. Then, you’ll need to sign in and viola!
When the NGENUITY software is installed, test whether your HyperX QuadCast still has that static noise.
- If yes, check for settings specialized for your mic that can improve the recording.
Tip: Try decreasing the volume in the NGENUITY software to decrease the static noises!
5. Update the System’s Audio Drivers
The static noise produced by the HyperX QuadCast can be a sign of an outdated system audio driver.
Whether you’re on Mac or Windows, it is extremely important to regularly update audio or system drivers whenever a newer version is available.
Let’s start with updating the audio drivers on Windows first!
How to Update Audio Drivers On Windows?
- Access the Device Manager on your Windows system.
- Extend your “Sound, video game controllers” section.
- Right-click on the sound card and go to the “Properties.”
- Click on the “Driver” tab and then select “Update Driver.”
How to Update Audio Drivers on macOS?
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the page.
- Choose “About this Mac” and wait for the information tab.
- Click on “Software Update” and wait until the Store opens.
- Download and apply the latest macOS version available.
Note: The newest sound drivers will be applied along with the latest macOS version!
6. Dislocate any Interfering Devices
The first step is to ensure that your HyperX QuadCast is not picking up any radio signals from nearby devices such as your smartphone.
According to many users, such background radio noise could translate into buzzing, hissing, and static noises, reflected on your mic’s recording.
So, here are a few devices that you need to dislocate away from the microphone:
- Your smartphone, tablet, laptop.
- Wireless receivers/transmitters.
- Modems and wireless speakers.
- Bluetooth signals or RF devices.
Quick Tip: If your HyperX QuadCast microphone is picking up the vibrations from your PC, you can still hear static noise in your recordings.
7. Plug Into a Different USB Port
The static noise may be produced by improper connection of the QuadCast’s USB cable or an underlying issue with the motherboard’s USB port.
For the next solution, you should test the microphone’s input noise after reconnecting the USB cable to a different USB port on your PC.
To minimize the static noise and ensure the microphone’s input signal is strong and stable, you should use one of your PC or laptop’s primary USB ports.
How to Identify Primary and Secondary USB Ports?
When testing input or output USB devices, you must be able to tell the primary and non-primary (secondary) USB ports on your PC or laptop.
The primary USB ports are located on the back of the PC, coming straight out of the motherboard.
The secondary USB ports are from your computer’s chassis, located on the front, so if your mic is plugged into one of those, you may hear static noise.
So, go ahead, and reconnect your mic to one of the ports on the back of your computer.
Quick Tip: We recommend connecting to one of the blue-colored (3.0) USB ports!
8. Factory Reset the HyperX QuadCast
You can solve the lasting static or buzzing noises produced by the microphone’s recording by performing a factory reset.
The sole requirement for activating the factory reset is unmuting the HyperX QuadCast microphone and verifying it has a valid USB connection with the input device.
Follow these steps to perform a factory reset on the HyperX QuadCast:
- Hold the “TAP/MUTE” button and the polar pattern knob.
- After that, keep holding the buttons for up to 10 seconds.
- Let go of the button after QuadCast’s LED starts to flash.
- Reconnect the QuadCast’s USB cable to finalize the reset.
- Next, check if there’s a static noise in the QuadCast’s input.
Warning: You may have to re-add the QuadCast’s profile within the NGENUITY driver!
Quick Recap
If the HyperX QuadCast static noise doesn’t stop, try to achieve a perfect silence in the room, reduce the microphone’s gain, and use another polar pattern.
If the issue persists, download and set up HyperX’s NGENUITY and force a factory reset.
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Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.