The EPOS product range is in the process of being augmented through the development of a unified software utility they’re calling the EPOS Gaming Suite. Although it has relatively straightforward functionality at present, it has the potential to be a foundation upon which a more fully-featured product portfolio can be developed.
The software is downloaded via https://www.eposaudio.com/en/gb/gaming/audio/epos-gaming-suite and, although it isn't strictly necessary to effectively use the B20, the additional functionality it offers is relevant to most use-cases. The current version doesn’t auto-update, but will notify users on the Settings page when an update is available. We utilised software version 1.6.0.536 and B20 device firmware 1.0.5 during testing, which was the most recent at the time.
Our first issue occurred during the update process, which triggered a False Positive response from Avast Antivirus. Disabling Avast allowed installation to proceed without further complication, and we’re confident it’s a problem with Avast rather than the Suite itself. However that wasn’t the end to the teething issues.
We’re not sure why but, although the B20 is picked up by the Gaming Suite when first plugged in, it loses the microphone on system restart. It’s still seen by the OS so will operate in its default modes, but customisation will be unavailable unless and until the software recognises it again. Needing to unplug and replug the microphone on every system restart is a frustration any aspiring streamer can do without, but once again EPOS should be able to fix this through an update.
Once plugged in the B20 will register as a device in the Suite’s Settings tab and the Microphone icon (mimicking a speaking face rather than an actual microphone) at the bottom of the window will be active. Clicking here takes you to a new tab laying out the software functionality.
Voice Enhancer
Possibly the least important (but still handy) feature of the software, the Voice Enhancer utilises pre-defined equaliser settings to adjust vocal inputs to make them clearer, warmer, or a custom preset. Clear presets accentuate the highs, whereas warm presets boost lower frequencies.
Gain
Broadly speaking, the Gain is the volume of the vocals output by the microphone. Higher gain will be louder, but also tend to increase underlying noise levels. Turning the Gain knob on the microphone will also adjust this setting and a future firmware update will make this dial a little less sensitive than it currently is.
Side Tone
If you have a headset plugged into the B20 then you can utilise a zero-latency side tone to hear your microphone input. The volume is adjustable just in case you find is distracting.
Noise Gate
The noise gate setting cuts off sound that falls below a volume threshold. Although it can be useful for filtering out keyboard keystrokes and background noise, you will no-doubt need to customise this setting significantly to make it worthwhile.
Noise Cancellation
This feature filters out low-level repetitive noise - hums, hisses and the like - which can be particularly useful when operating at higher levels of gain. Noise cancellation has its limits however; this implementation cannot remove mechanical keyboard keypresses for instance. The software offers two levels of noise cancellation, which can operate in tandem with a Noise Gate to reduce repetitive background sounds it does not eliminate. If you're listening closely it's possible to hear that the Noise Cancellation can take a second or two to kick in, and it can have difficultly if the noise is peaking above and below a noise gate level, appearing to be turning on and off every two to three seconds. Constant drones, such as a fan, were the best to suppress.
The software also allows you to record and play back a short snippet of audio for testing purposes.
Settings are stored on a profile basis which are selected from a drop-down menu in the top-right. You can use one of four supplied defaults, or create your own and save them alongside these defaults. The defaults - Music, Esport, Movie and Flat - cannot be edited and overridden, but any profile you create yourself can be.
--
We can appreciate the Gaming Suite software for what it does, while recognising that it’s not yet on a level with the more comprehensive solutions offered by some of their competitors. As their first foray it’s serviceable with few frills, and something to build on for the future.
