Again in 2020, the HyperX QuadCast S was the USB microphone each Twitch streamer seemingly had on their streams. Now, the QuadCast 2 S is right here to attempt to one-up its predecessor. And what does it deliver to the desk? Much more LEDs, for starters.
The unique QuadCast solely lit up in purple, whereas the QuadCast S introduced full RGB assist, and even supported gradients of colours from prime to backside. The QuadCast 2 S takes it even additional with a twist, actually. The brand new mic has over 100 individually addressable LEDs specified by an array across the mic, permitting for extra advanced patterns like a spiral gradient rainbow. It’s a welcome addition, significantly for a microphone that’s so more likely to be seen.
HyperX added a couple of much less flashy options that make for a compelling improve too, although many of those had been first launched on the QuadCast 2. That features a multifunction knob that controls the enter achieve and headphone quantity and acts as a VU (quantity unit) meter to maintain you from peaking, plus a redesigned shock mount.
Mild Up Polar Patterns
One among my favourite options on the unique QuadCast S was the knob on the underside for adjusting achieve, which was each handy and delicate. That’s gone on the brand new mannequin in favor of a extra typical knob that juts out of the entrance. It won’t be fairly as fashionable, but it surely’s extra helpful.
{Photograph}: Eric Ravenscraft
The knob is flanked by a semicircle of LEDs that change shade relying on what you’re doing. In the event you’re turning the knob whereas utilizing it as a microphone, it would mild up purple to point the achieve stage. Whenever you’re not touching it, it reverts to a VU meter, indicating how shut you might be to peaking, so you possibly can regulate accordingly.
You may also press and maintain the knob to vary polar patterns, which is indicated by the LED ring on the highest of the mic. It cycles between cardioid, bi-directional, stereo, and omnidirectional patterns, with purple LEDs lighting up on the perimeters of the mic so that it’ll decide up sound.
That is probably the most intuitive solution to change polar patterns I’ve seen. For comparability, the Blue Yeti USB microphone all however requires a tutorial to decipher its arcane symbols. Right here, you simply maintain holding the button till purple lights are pointing within the path you wish to document from. Now I need this function on each microphone I exploit. (It is obtainable on the cheaper QuadCast 2.)