Connect SylphSpeak to Overwatch

Goal

Set Overwatch to use the system communications input that points to your SylphSpeak virtual mic so your typed text-to-speech lines come through in-game voice chat. Overwatch does not let you pick a specific microphone inside the game. Instead, set the SylphSpeak virtual mic as the right input device in Windows, then tell Overwatch to use communications devices.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

• SylphSpeak open
• Overwatch open
• Your SylphSpeak virtual mic installed and available as an input device

Find your virtual mic name

If you are not sure which device to choose in Windows, see Find your SylphSpeak virtual mic name.

Open Overwatch sound settings

1. In Overwatch, select the settings cog in the top-right corner.

Select the settings cog in the top-right corner.

1. Select Options.

Open Options.

1. Under Voice Chat, select Sound.

Open Sound under Voice Chat.

Set voice volume

Under Voice Volume, make sure Voice Chat Mic Volume is not muted or too low.

Keep Voice Chat Mic Volume at an audible level.

Enable voice channels

Under Channels, enable the channels you want to speak in.

Enable the voice channels you want to use.

Set capture options

Under Capture:

1. Set Voice Chat Devices to Comms Devices.
2. Set Voice Chat Mode to Open Mic.

Use Comms Devices and Open Mic.

Overwatch uses your system input

Overwatch does not let you select a specific microphone in-game. If Voice Chat Devices is set to Comms Devices, choose the SylphSpeak virtual mic in Windows sound settings.

Set your system input on Windows

1. Open Windows sound settings.
2. Under Input, select the arrow next to the current speaking or recording device.

Open the input device list from Choose a device for speaking or recording.

3. Select your SylphSpeak virtual mic, then select the arrow on that device to open its properties.

Open properties for the SylphSpeak virtual mic (for example, CABLE Output).

4. Under Set as default sound device, choose the option that sets this device as the default for communications.

Set the virtual mic as the default for communications.

If the device is already the default sound device, the selector may say Also use as default for communications instead of Is default for communications or similar. Use that option so communications also points at this mic.

5. Return to Overwatch and keep Voice Chat Devices set to Comms Devices.

No Set as default sound device control?

If the device is already the default for both sound and communications, Windows may hide Set as default sound device. That usually means this input is already set the way Overwatch needs. You are good to go.

If you want to double-check, set a different device as the default sound device first, then open this device’s properties again and set it as the default for communications (and sound, if you want). That brings the control back so you can confirm the selection.

Test your Overwatch input

1. Join a voice channel where you can safely test.
2. In SylphSpeak, send a short test line, such as: SylphSpeak check — can you hear me?
3. Ask someone in the voice channel to confirm they heard the line.
4. If they can hear it, your Overwatch voice path is ready.

Check that it worked

Your voice path is ready when Overwatch sends the SylphSpeak test line through the voice channel clearly.

If it does not work

Try these checks in order:

1. Re-check that Voice Chat Devices is set to Comms Devices.
2. Re-check that your Windows input device is set to the SylphSpeak virtual mic.
3. Make sure SylphSpeak is sending audio to the same virtual mic selected in Windows. If the names do not match, check Find your SylphSpeak virtual mic name.
4. Make sure Voice Chat Mode is set to Open Mic.
5. Make sure Voice Chat Mic Volume is not muted or too low.
6. Make sure the voice channel you want to use is enabled.
7. If the audio crackles, cuts in and out, sounds scratchy, or sounds distorted, check Set up virtual mic format.

Next step

After Overwatch can hear SylphSpeak, try a short message in your voice channel. Type at your pace, send the line, and return to the match.