OMG it's so nice to actually find someone to show me how to do this who aren't speaking as if hamsters are running at a 1000 miles an hour in their brain. Thank you!
@@FrugalStreamer Hey! I am having problem with the mic part. i have the input device in the mixer but its not counting in the mic tab so I cant record my audio
Have you noticed any delay in your voice after adding in processing effects? Thats one of the biggest things I've noticed from these type of software that do real-time processing and why I opt for VST plugins through OBS.
Yes. All programs will. You'll need to monitor through your mic if possible or use the monitor function in Windows. Personally, I never do. Once I know the mic sounds good, I turn it off.
Fantastic video, Frugal! Question, have you tried vocal processing with Sonar yet, like the VST host Cantabile? I seen your vid on Voicemeeter with Cantabile, and wonder if I can use Cantabile with Sonar. Thanks for the great vid!
@@rickspectrumuse proper programs for audio, not this sonar junk. Sonar is for people who don't have audio knowledge and wanna just click a few times and basic stuff will work. Anyone that does proper audio controlling and knows what they are doing would never use SteelSeries garbage
Been watching you for years. Love your videos. Curious what you think of this now. I looked at it a couple yrs ago and like you said was missing quite a bit. I still hear things like it comes with a ton of bloatware, etc. Are you using today for your streaming?
So in OBS when using streamer mode, do you have to make a audio channel for each category? Or one audio channel and control the mix through the SONAR program?
@@FrugalStreamer ahhh i see ok, all the videos ive been watching have told me to use one channel per aux, chat, game etc… but if its just one stream channel and controlling everything through the sonar software itself then that kinda makes sense
I use it everyday. Too bad it uses so much memory though. If I play a game such as Battlefield 2042 or another newer resource intensive game in multiplayer I usually need to close it. It can also be a bit confusing having it on a 2 pc setup, trying to figure out which PC to have your EQing/noise cancelation on, which to have your compression on, or to NOT use it's compression and just do that in OBS, especially over NDI and wondering if the audio quality is better sending the mic signal from gaming PC to Sonar to NDI to streaming PC, or better having the mic signal directly to OBS, then to NDI to streaming PC and using the Sonar on streaming PC... and then adjusting sync in OBS to compensate for the latency... Can be a bit of a headache of unsureness in what to do. I guess it's up for personal preference. Once you find out what works for you though, it's pretty darn easy to keep the settings the same and open back up without having to worry about the apt resetting to defaults. As a gaming streamer I want to control all my volumes on my streaming PC, so I don't need to minimize the game ever, but my headset with my headset mix in on my gaming PC.. it was possible for me to do this, I just needed to get creative with which volumes use and which PC to sent stream mix, and when not to. Too bad Sonar can't pick up an NDI signal unless you have NDI Webcam open, as far as I know.
I was using this after your last review up until about a month ago. Everytime I would click on any setting it would crash out with some error number. Google, uninsall, resinstall, google, uninstall, reinstall, google, uninstall, reinstall, google, uninstall, reinstall, nothing worked and I was not going to reinstall windows so I just got rid of it. I was using it just for the built in compressor (to level out movie volume etc) so I switched to the one built into windows.
I downloaded it and it won't ioen up. I did all the recommendations it said to get it working and it didn't work. Do I have to uninstall voicrmeter for it to work?
No. I went with an analog cable. It's just reliable and sound quality is just as good. Costs less than $20 for the cable and filter on Amazon and you'll never have to worry about network related dropouts, firewall issues, etc. that Voicemeter/VBAN causes routinely.
@@FrugalStreamer I wrote this before finishing both videos haha I got through the first one and realized that was the point of this one! You’re a legend and I def used your affiliate links! I’m actually running the stream pc audio from a focus rite Scarlett into a zoom L-8 via xlr that’s connected to my game pc via usb which my headphones are connected and sending the mic audio from the stream pc via your method and vise versa for the game audio to the stream pc using sonar on both pcs via your method
@@FrugalStreamer you are also the only person on the internet that could teach me how voicemeeter worked including the creator of the app so just a huge thanks while I travel across the streamer verse!
Big ups to steelseries to make a solid program, but I do have some issues with their headsets. I own an Arctis 9, and the ear just broke off, still hanging on by (my guess) a part of the arm holding it. (it just dangles) It cost around 200 bucks at the time and the price/quality ratio is just horrible. I have scrolled through hundreds of complaints about the same thing and there's nothing you can do. They straight up don't acknowledge the issue.
It's common to be honest. Logitech had the same issue with a design their G35s shared with other headsets and the same joint would break from stress cracks within a year or two. They never addressed it and finally changed the design.
@@FrugalStreamer I got a razer Barracuda rn and it seems pretty good so far. Good build quality, and around 60 hours battery life. I haven't charged it in 2 days of constant use.
Still not convinced about this its functionality to me seems to lack a lot of what VM has in some ways but not all however something I do see here and quote me If i am wrong an way to output audio to more than one sound output device like you can in VM A1-5 all at the same time Ie game audio running thru both headset and tv/stereo cant even see that possible this program seems to be more of an one way street yes dont get me wrong looks good for doing some streaming but for functionality in some aspects its lacking
It doesn't lack what most game streamers need. Why would you want to run audio through a headset and speakers at the same time? 99% of us don't and if I want to listen to my speakers, I just switch the output to one of the Master busses. Most don't need more than 2 busses and you really get three here is you remove your mic from the mix and use the virtual mic in your various app mic inputs.
@@FrugalStreamer Thanks Pon I going to bite the bullet and give it an shot anyway and Yeah I get what you are saying here I guess just so set in ways of actually being able to press a button and have route to another device rather than changing what device to make it go thru, Yeah you are also correct about remove the mic from the mix for the extra bus but ovs with doing that you lose the intended functions. I am looking forward to how the dual stream setup will look. Ill be sure to holla back later to say yeah you were right about this program :) can already see that happening cause you using it :)
@cluelessfish Not really. Most broadcast software has a dedicated mic input anyway and you don't lose any of the processing. Just gives you one more channel to manage in OBS.
Well I have made the switch now got some really cleaver things built into it for sure. I have stuck with using NvidiaBroadcast for my voice suppression personally it seems to work better for me with the built in one even at 100% I could still hear my self eating etc I do semi like the streamer mode for simplicity of taking all feeds into one with different volume levels but I think I will stick with having separate outputs in my sources well 2 outputs at least one for VOD exclusions. Thanks Pon looking fwd to the dual setup video when that comes out :)
Seems they didn't add anything to sonar and for it is buggy as hk. Apps don't show up when they should.. Constantly have to close sonar or the app.... Seems really absolutely nothing has hapened to this one in 2 years. No more inputs, outputs and buggy.
1st of all when it comes to your EQ you generally you shouldn't really be boosting frequency as this can bring in some unwanted noise, second of all i presume that your compressor is pre-fade and based on what i can see you have no threshold, no ratio control or dynamic EQ wich is an absolute need, and that brings me on to my last point is that you only have one mix bus, winch if you want to send any mix minus whatsoever to any hardware or software you need more than just one mix bus
You can boost when needed if you know what you're doing. The only real boost I did was to add some air into my otherwise dark dynamic mic. Compressor is pre-fade and set to 3.5:1. Threshold is at -21 and I run fast attack and somewhat slow release. I'm not singing so I only need it to catch peaks and knock them down. I don't want to sound like a ZROCK 97 DJ, I want to sound natural with normal dynamics in my voice, not a squashed sandwich. You do not need a dynamic EQ for a single spoken word vocal unless you are SGTJackson (IYKYK). I run a C6 on singing vocals, but for me doing commentaries, why? For your last point, ok. Most people don't need to and they did provide the ability to remove a source from the mix with a check box if you want to. You do have a dedicated mic as a "third" bus also. Elgato does the same thing with there's. Appreciate you commenting. With the tone of your comment, I'm surprised you didn't mention the noise gate setting that I wasn't happy with after doing the video.
The Voicemeeter software is absolute trash takes ages to setup and doesn't make any difference to your voice quality from your mic just use your mic settings its far better.
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
OMG it's so nice to actually find someone to show me how to do this who aren't speaking as if hamsters are running at a 1000 miles an hour in their brain. Thank you!
Thank you!
Wow! I just saw your previous tut on sonar so i checked your channel to see if you have updated it and U DID.
I did!
@@FrugalStreamer Hey! I am having problem with the mic part. i have the input device in the mixer but its not counting in the mic tab so I cant record my audio
DUDE. TY SOoooo much for this. It's AMAZING. I'm your newest subscriber!
Welcome to the fam!
Thank you for the clear explanation of the program. I love using Steelseries!
Have you noticed any delay in your voice after adding in processing effects? Thats one of the biggest things I've noticed from these type of software that do real-time processing and why I opt for VST plugins through OBS.
Yes. All programs will. You'll need to monitor through your mic if possible or use the monitor function in Windows. Personally, I never do. Once I know the mic sounds good, I turn it off.
Fantastic video, Frugal!
Question, have you tried vocal processing with Sonar yet, like the VST host Cantabile? I seen your vid on Voicemeeter with Cantabile, and wonder if I can use Cantabile with Sonar.
Thanks for the great vid!
I don't think you can. But, there's enough in Sonar, you don't really need Contabile
@@FrugalStreamer It's just hard, since I've been getting into the wonderful world of VSTs. :)
@@rickspectrumuse proper programs for audio, not this sonar junk. Sonar is for people who don't have audio knowledge and wanna just click a few times and basic stuff will work. Anyone that does proper audio controlling and knows what they are doing would never use SteelSeries garbage
Been watching you for years. Love your videos. Curious what you think of this now. I looked at it a couple yrs ago and like you said was missing quite a bit. I still hear things like it comes with a ton of bloatware, etc. Are you using today for your streaming?
I'm sure it isn't perfect for everyone, but I use it on my game PC and don't have issues with it.
I'm sure it isn't perfect for everyone, but I use it on my game PC and don't have issues with it.
@@FrugalStreamer awesome. Appreciate the reply!
So in OBS when using streamer mode, do you have to make a audio channel for each category? Or one audio channel and control the mix through the SONAR program?
Well, in theory, you could do either, but the idea is to have one stream mix source in OBS and use Sonar to mix, mute, etc.
@@FrugalStreamer ahhh i see ok, all the videos ive been watching have told me to use one channel per aux, chat, game etc… but if its just one stream channel and controlling everything through the sonar software itself then that kinda makes sense
@@FrugalStreamer would you mind doing a video or uploading pictures showing your OBS and Sonar setup?
@@droohe It is the easiest by far and how I have mine.
I use it everyday. Too bad it uses so much memory though. If I play a game such as Battlefield 2042 or another newer resource intensive game in multiplayer I usually need to close it.
It can also be a bit confusing having it on a 2 pc setup, trying to figure out which PC to have your EQing/noise cancelation on, which to have your compression on, or to NOT use it's compression and just do that in OBS, especially over NDI and wondering if the audio quality is better sending the mic signal from gaming PC to Sonar to NDI to streaming PC, or better having the mic signal directly to OBS, then to NDI to streaming PC and using the Sonar on streaming PC... and then adjusting sync in OBS to compensate for the latency... Can be a bit of a headache of unsureness in what to do. I guess it's up for personal preference. Once you find out what works for you though, it's pretty darn easy to keep the settings the same and open back up without having to worry about the apt resetting to defaults.
As a gaming streamer I want to control all my volumes on my streaming PC, so I don't need to minimize the game ever, but my headset with my headset mix in on my gaming PC.. it was possible for me to do this, I just needed to get creative with which volumes use and which PC to sent stream mix, and when not to. Too bad Sonar can't pick up an NDI signal unless you have NDI Webcam open, as far as I know.
That's what I do. Gaming side is strictly to EQ the game audio and send it to the stream PC.
I pretty much don't need to buy an Elgato mic for the Wave Link and this replaces it.
Pretty much.
I was using this after your last review up until about a month ago. Everytime I would click on any setting it would crash out with some error number. Google, uninsall, resinstall, google, uninstall, reinstall, google, uninstall, reinstall, google, uninstall, reinstall, nothing worked and I was not going to reinstall windows so I just got rid of it. I was using it just for the built in compressor (to level out movie volume etc) so I switched to the one built into windows.
Have you reached out to the team about it? I'd hate to see you not get this resolved because it now does so much.
I'm actually gonna try voicemeeter... sonar gives me issues after adding voicemod to my streaming....
Thanks a lot for this review ;)
Glad it was helpful!
Downloaded the app but it won't launch.
Anyone figure out a way to get zero latency sidetone with a XLR mic through a mixer and the line in port with nova pros?
ohhhh...I did have Steel Series sonar a while back but got rid of it. I see they have upgraded drastically
Yes they did and made it really good!
Looks a bit like Streamer View that is included with Voicemeeter
You can have different volumes depending on the output.
Yeah, but you still need the regular view to set everything up.
I just hate how I need an account for audio software for Sonar
Sorry.
@@FrugalStreamer no need to apologize it's a Steelseries problem not anything to do with your video. Keep it up!
This looks good. Thanks for the video
Thanks for watching!
I downloaded it and it won't ioen up. I did all the recommendations it said to get it working and it didn't work. Do I have to uninstall voicrmeter for it to work?
No, not sure why it won't install
So, do you still use voicemeeter vban for your dual pc stream setup?
No. I went with an analog cable. It's just reliable and sound quality is just as good. Costs less than $20 for the cable and filter on Amazon and you'll never have to worry about network related dropouts, firewall issues, etc. that Voicemeter/VBAN causes routinely.
ETA on Sonar 2 pc setup?
Yeah, I'm almost done with it. Twitch news took priority this week.
And what is most "heavy" , Sonar or Voicemeeter?!
About the same. Because Voicemeeter uses your network for audio streams potentially, I'd say Sonar has less of an overall impact.
SONAR BY A MILLION MILES
should i be using my game pc to route my audio to if i have a two pc
stream set up? i have a interface for both pcs
I just send game audio over analog cable to the stream PC.
@@FrugalStreamer I wrote this before finishing both videos haha I got through the first one and realized that was the point of this one! You’re a legend and I def used your affiliate links! I’m actually running the stream pc audio from a focus rite Scarlett into a zoom L-8 via xlr that’s connected to my game pc via usb which my headphones are connected and sending the mic audio from the stream pc via your method and vise versa for the game audio to the stream pc using sonar on both pcs via your method
@@FrugalStreamer you are also the only person on the internet that could teach me how voicemeeter worked including the creator of the app so just a huge thanks while I travel across the streamer verse!
Nice!@@Nightowlchemy
Big ups to steelseries to make a solid program, but I do have some issues with their headsets. I own an Arctis 9, and the ear just broke off, still hanging on by (my guess) a part of the arm holding it. (it just dangles) It cost around 200 bucks at the time and the price/quality ratio is just horrible. I have scrolled through hundreds of complaints about the same thing and there's nothing you can do. They straight up don't acknowledge the issue.
It's common to be honest. Logitech had the same issue with a design their G35s shared with other headsets and the same joint would break from stress cracks within a year or two. They never addressed it and finally changed the design.
@@FrugalStreamer I got a razer Barracuda rn and it seems pretty good so far. Good build quality, and around 60 hours battery life. I haven't charged it in 2 days of constant use.
After seeing this, and using the Beacn software, Elgato Wave Link is falling behind. It hasnt innovated at all really.
Not recently, no. IMO, the best overall one out there is Rode's Unify but again, you have to have one of their compatible devices to use it.
Still not convinced about this its functionality to me seems to lack a lot of what VM has in some ways but not all however something I do see here and quote me If i am wrong an way to output audio to more than one sound output device like you can in VM A1-5 all at the same time Ie game audio running thru both headset and tv/stereo cant even see that possible this program seems to be more of an one way street yes dont get me wrong looks good for doing some streaming but for functionality in some aspects its lacking
It doesn't lack what most game streamers need. Why would you want to run audio through a headset and speakers at the same time? 99% of us don't and if I want to listen to my speakers, I just switch the output to one of the Master busses. Most don't need more than 2 busses and you really get three here is you remove your mic from the mix and use the virtual mic in your various app mic inputs.
@@FrugalStreamer Thanks Pon I going to bite the bullet and give it an shot anyway and Yeah I get what you are saying here I guess just so set in ways of actually being able to press a button and have route to another device rather than changing what device to make it go thru, Yeah you are also correct about remove the mic from the mix for the extra bus but ovs with doing that you lose the intended functions. I am looking forward to how the dual stream setup will look. Ill be sure to holla back later to say yeah you were right about this program :) can already see that happening cause you using it :)
@cluelessfish Not really. Most broadcast software has a dedicated mic input anyway and you don't lose any of the processing. Just gives you one more channel to manage in OBS.
Well I have made the switch now got some really cleaver things built into it for sure. I have stuck with using NvidiaBroadcast for my voice suppression personally it seems to work better for me with the built in one even at 100% I could still hear my self eating etc I do semi like the streamer mode for simplicity of taking all feeds into one with different volume levels but I think I will stick with having separate outputs in my sources well 2 outputs at least one for VOD exclusions. Thanks Pon looking fwd to the dual setup video when that comes out :)
Seems they didn't add anything to sonar and for it is buggy as hk. Apps don't show up when they should.. Constantly have to close sonar or the app.... Seems really absolutely nothing has hapened to this one in 2 years. No more inputs, outputs and buggy.
Not much for updates but I haven't noticed a lot of issues with it like you seem to have. I use it daily for my game PC audio.
1st of all when it comes to your EQ you generally you shouldn't really be boosting frequency as this can bring in some unwanted noise, second of all i presume that your compressor is pre-fade and based on what i can see you have no threshold, no ratio control or dynamic EQ wich is an absolute need, and that brings me on to my last point is that you only have one mix bus, winch if you want to send any mix minus whatsoever to any hardware or software you need more than just one mix bus
You can boost when needed if you know what you're doing. The only real boost I did was to add some air into my otherwise dark dynamic mic. Compressor is pre-fade and set to 3.5:1. Threshold is at -21 and I run fast attack and somewhat slow release. I'm not singing so I only need it to catch peaks and knock them down. I don't want to sound like a ZROCK 97 DJ, I want to sound natural with normal dynamics in my voice, not a squashed sandwich. You do not need a dynamic EQ for a single spoken word vocal unless you are SGTJackson (IYKYK). I run a C6 on singing vocals, but for me doing commentaries, why? For your last point, ok. Most people don't need to and they did provide the ability to remove a source from the mix with a check box if you want to. You do have a dedicated mic as a "third" bus also. Elgato does the same thing with there's. Appreciate you commenting. With the tone of your comment, I'm surprised you didn't mention the noise gate setting that I wasn't happy with after doing the video.
The Voicemeeter software is absolute trash takes ages to setup and doesn't make any difference to your voice quality from your mic just use your mic settings its far better.
I tried Voicemeter for my Discord chat for stream and it is very hard to use.