3 ms·

Related: What about Linux users? Any recommendations?

solardev 2y ago
Most of the stuff I said in the sibling threads apply across operating systems (and even mobile). Specifically: * Bluetooth full duplex (talk and listen on the same device) is terrible and should be avoided at all costs. This is a limitation of the Bluetooth protocols, regardless of operating system. It's most obvious if you have music playing over the headphones when you switch to headset mode (which uses a different protocol). The audio quality will severely degrade. As far as I know, this is the case no matter what headphones or operating system or Bluetooth stack you use. * To make other people sound better, get better speakers or listen-only headphones (or just don't use the mic on the headphones, as above) * To make yourself sound better, get a better external mic and put it as close to your mouth as you can, like a wearable lapel mic or a traditional mic on a boom. At least get a unidirectional / cardioid pattern one if nothing else, and try to put it out of line of sound from your keyboard. * Software noise cancelation can be pretty effective, depending on who implements it. If I remember right, Zoom has this built in, as does Discord. Can't remember about Teams and Meet. Steam does not. There are sometimes third party apps (like Krisp.ai) but not sure about Linux versions. * If you can hide your own speakers from your mic (ie wear headphones when conferencing) you will usually get better results. * Remember to switch audio inputs and outputs manually so they use the correct devices. Some apps will inherit OS settings while others will try to pick one on their own, and usually be wrong. Always double check and do a test before the meeting starts. * Some laptops (MacBooks) have good microphones and speakers built-in. These will typically work well enough in quiet environments but not in crowded rooms (only a mic very close to your mouth can deal with that effectively). Other laptops typically have crap for both, no matter the Dolby etc stickers they may have. It's just empty marketing. * TLDR just get a good standalone mic and a good pair of headphones and use them for their intended purpose. If you must use Bluetooth, don't use it for audio playback and recording simultaneously. Probably USB mic + Bluetooth headphones is the sensible desktop setup.

Most of the stuff I said in the sibling threads apply across operating systems (and even mobile). Specifically: * Bluetooth full duplex (talk and listen on the same device) is terrible and should be avoided at all costs. This is a limitation of the Bluetooth protocols, regardless of operating system. It's most obvious if you have music playing over the headphones when you switch to headset mode (which uses a different protocol). The audio quality will severely degrade. As far as I know, this is the case no matter what headphones or operating system or Bluetooth stack you use. * To make other people sound better, get better speakers or listen-only headphones (or just don't use the mic on the headphones, as above) * To make yourself sound better, get a better external mic and put it as close to your mouth as you can, like a wearable lapel mic or a traditional mic on a boom. At least get a unidirectional / cardioid pattern one if nothing else, and try to put it out of line of sound from your keyboard. * Software noise cancelation can be pretty effective, depending on who implements it. If I remember right, Zoom has this built in, as does Discord. Can't remember about Teams and Meet. Steam does not. There are sometimes third party apps (like Krisp.ai) but not sure about Linux versions. * If you can hide your own speakers from your mic (ie wear headphones when conferencing) you will usually get better results. * Remember to switch audio inputs and outputs manually so they use the correct devices. Some apps will inherit OS settings while others will try to pick one on their own, and usually be wrong. Always double check and do a test before the meeting starts. * Some laptops (MacBooks) have good microphones and speakers built-in. These will typically work well enough in quiet environments but not in crowded rooms (only a mic very close to your mouth can deal with that effectively). Other laptops typically have crap for both, no matter the Dolby etc stickers they may have. It's just empty marketing. * TLDR just get a good standalone mic and a good pair of headphones and use them for their intended purpose. If you must use Bluetooth, don't use it for audio playback and recording simultaneously. Probably USB mic + Bluetooth headphones is the sensible desktop setup.