Elgato Wave:3 Digital Mixing Microphone, USB

Condenser capsule

Front-facing pickup

Maximum recording format

Capacitive control

Capture detail, control sudden peaks

The 17 mm electret capsule captures audio at 24-bit resolution with 48 or 96 kHz sample rates. Its cardioid pattern focuses pickup toward the front, while the internal pop filter and Clipguard help manage plosives and sudden loud sounds. Position the mic close and use an appropriate gain level for your room.

Monitor and adjust from the microphone

Use the multifunction dial to adjust microphone gain, headphone level and the mic/computer monitor blend. The capacitive mute control lets you silence the microphone without pressing its body. Connect headphones to the 3.5 mm output for real-time monitoring and use Wave Link for software mixing.

Use the USB Recording Path

Connect the microphone to a suitable computer USB data port and select it in the recording application. This generation records over USB rather than using a separate XLR output. A headphone DAC or analogue XLR cable is not required to establish that USB microphone connection.

Treat Clipguard as One Part of Level Setting

Clipguard helps manage sudden loud input within the microphone’s recording design. Position the sensitive front toward the voice, set sensible input gain and check the loudest expected speech before recording. It does not make microphone distance, room reflections or level monitoring irrelevant to the result.

Match Accessories to the Original Wave Generation

The listed magnetic Wave Pop Filter is specified for Wave:1 and Wave:3 MK.1. Wave Shock Mount has a different compatibility list that also includes Wave:3 MK.2. Check the exact accessory and microphone generation rather than assuming every item named Wave fits identically.

Is this the original Wave:3 or the newer MK.2?

This is the original Wave:3 / MK.1, part number 10MAB9901. Wave:3 MK.2 is a separate microphone with its own hardware features.

Does it connect by XLR?

This microphone uses USB for recording and has a separate 3.5 mm headphone output. Do not treat the listening socket as an analogue microphone output.

Where should I speak into it?

Speak toward the front of the grille at a consistent distance, then set gain while checking the actual recording. It is a side-address cardioid microphone.

How is mute controlled?

Use the capacitive touch-mute control on Wave:3 MK.1.

Is the newer Wave:3 compatible with the same pop filter?

The separately listed original magnetic Wave Pop Filter is specified for Wave:1 and Wave:3 MK.1. The shock mount’s broader generation support should not be copied to the pop filter.

Does Wave Link have permanent operating-system requirements?

Software support depends on the Wave Link version. Check the current supported operating system and microphone support before installing or upgrading the software.