Change your mic input in Garry's Mod through the in-game audio settings or your system sound controls

Garry's Mod uses your operating system's default microphone by default, but you can switch to a different mic or adjust how the game detects voice input directly in the game settings. The fastest route is the in-game audio menu, which lets you pick a different device without restarting. If the game doesn't see your mic at all, you'll need to check your Windows or Mac sound settings first to make sure the device is set as the default input.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on Windows or Mac, and whether you want to change which physical mic the game uses or just adjust how it responds to your voice. Both approaches are straightforward and take less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Garry's Mod, go to Options > Audio, and look for the microphone or voice input dropdown to select a different device.
  • If your mic doesn't appear in the Garry's Mod audio menu, set it as your default input device in Windows Sound Settings or Mac System Preferences first.
  • You can test your mic in the audio settings menu before joining a server to confirm the game is picking up your voice.
  • If voice chat isn't working after switching mics, restart the game to force it to reload the audio device list.

Change your mic through the in-game audio menu

Launch Garry's Mod and click Options in the main menu. Select the Audio tab. Look for a dropdown labeled Microphone, Voice Input Device, or Recording Device — the exact label varies by game version.

Click the dropdown and select the microphone you want to use from the list. If you only see one option or a generic entry like "Microphone (USB Device)", that's your system's current default input. Once you've selected a different device, click Apply or OK to save the change. The game will use that mic the next time you join a server with voice chat enabled.

Some versions of Garry's Mod also show a Test Microphone button in the audio settings. Click it to speak and see if the game detects sound. A green bar or meter should move when you talk. If nothing happens, the mic isn't being recognized and you'll need to check your system settings.

Set a new default microphone in Windows

If your mic doesn't show up in Garry's Mod's audio menu, Windows may not have it set as the default input device. Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray (bottom right of the taskbar) and select Open Sound settings. Scroll down to Input and click the dropdown under Choose your input device.

Select the microphone you want to use. Windows will remember this choice, and Garry's Mod should now see it the next time you open the game. If you still don't see your mic in the Windows dropdown, it may not be installed or connected properly — check that the device is plugged in, and look in Device Manager (search for it in the Start menu) to see if there's a yellow warning icon next to any audio devices.

After setting the default mic in Windows, restart Garry's Mod completely. The game caches the audio device list when it starts, so it won't see a newly set default input until you close and reopen it.

Set a new default microphone on Mac

Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions) and click Sound. Select the Input tab. You'll see a list of available microphones. Click the one you want to use — it will show a checkmark once selected.

Close System Preferences and restart Garry's Mod. The game will now use the mic you selected. If your microphone doesn't appear in the Input list, make sure it's plugged in or paired via Bluetooth, and check the manufacturer's website to see if you need to install drivers.

Adjust microphone volume and sensitivity in Garry's Mod

Beyond choosing which mic to use, Garry's Mod's audio settings let you control how loud the game thinks your voice is. In the Audio menu, look for sliders labeled Microphone Volume, Voice Volume, or Input Level. Moving the slider to the right makes the game more sensitive to quiet voices; moving it left requires you to speak louder before the game picks up sound.

If other players say they can barely hear you, try raising the microphone volume slider. If they say you're too loud or distorted, lower it. The Test Microphone button (if available) will show you in real time how the game is interpreting your voice at the current volume setting, so you can adjust before joining a server.

Troubleshoot if your mic still isn't working

If you've switched mics in Garry's Mod and tested it but voice chat still isn't working, close the game completely and reopen it. Garry's Mod loads the audio device list only when it starts, so changes made in Windows or Mac sound settings won't take effect until you restart the game.

Check that voice chat is actually enabled on the server you're joining. Some servers disable voice to reduce bandwidth or prevent spam. Look in the server browser or ask in chat whether voice is on. You can also test your mic in a single-player game or a local server to rule out a server-side issue.

If the mic works in other games or applications but not in Garry's Mod, try lowering the microphone volume slider in Garry's Mod's audio settings. Sometimes the game's input level is set so high that it picks up only background noise and ignores your actual voice.

Use a USB or wireless microphone with Garry's Mod

USB and wireless mics work the same way as built-in mics in Garry's Mod — you just need to make sure they're set as the default input device in your operating system first. Plug in or pair the device, then follow the Windows or Mac steps above to set it as default. Once it's the system default, it will appear in Garry's Mod's microphone dropdown.

If you're using a wireless mic, make sure it's powered on and paired before opening Garry's Mod. If you plug in a USB mic after the game is already running, restart Garry's Mod so it can detect the new device. Some USB mics come with their own control software — check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need to adjust settings there as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my microphone show up in Garry's Mod's audio menu?

Garry's Mod only shows microphones that are set as your system's default input device. Go to Windows Sound Settings or Mac System Preferences, set your mic as the default, and then restart Garry's Mod. The game reads the device list only when it starts.

Can I use different microphones for different servers?

You can change which mic Garry's Mod uses, but the change applies to all servers. You'd need to go back to the audio settings and switch mics each time you want to use a different device. Your operating system's default input setting persists across sessions, so changing it in Windows or Mac will stick until you change it again.

My mic works in other games but not Garry's Mod. What's wrong?

Try lowering the microphone volume slider in Garry's Mod's audio settings — the game may be set to such a high input level that it's only picking up background noise. Also make sure voice chat is enabled on the server you're using. If it's still not working, restart the game to force it to reload the audio device.

Do I need to restart Garry's Mod after changing my microphone?

Yes. Garry's Mod loads the list of available audio devices when it starts, so it won't see a newly connected or newly set default microphone until you close and reopen the game completely.

Can I adjust my microphone volume without changing which mic I'm using?

Yes. In Garry's Mod's audio settings, find the microphone volume or input level slider and adjust it without touching the microphone dropdown. You can also adjust your mic's volume in Windows Sound Settings or Mac System Preferences if the game's slider isn't enough.