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Set your Razer headset as the Windows playback device, make sound changes in Synapse, and use the headset’s own Mic Monitoring control for sidetone. On supported models, enable THX Spatial Audio in Synapse while leaving Windows Spatial sound set to Off. The exact menus depend on your headset and whether you use Synapse 4 or Synapse 3.
Start by identifying the headset and Synapse version
Razer’s controls are model-dependent, so begin with the exact headset name and the Synapse version installed on your PC. Do not assume that a control shown for one family exists on another. THX Spatial Audio, onboard EQ shortcuts and even the Windows playback endpoint can vary by model.
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- Synapse 4: Current Razer device customization software. On supported headsets, sound and microphone controls are exposed from the device page.
- Synapse 3: Existing installations may still configure installed devices, but Razer says Synapse 3 stopped receiving updates and cloud-service support on February 3, 2026. If a device is completely uninstalled, Razer says Synapse 4 is required for continued customization.
Connect the headset before opening Synapse and let the software detect it. If the headset is connected through a USB controller, Synapse may detect the controller rather than the earcups themselves. That behavior is expected for some models, including the Kraken Tournament Edition.
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Make a quick inventory before changing anything
Note whether the headset is connected by USB, through a USB audio controller or by another supported connection, and write down the names of the playback and microphone devices shown in Windows. This makes it easier to tell whether an app selected the headset itself, a Game endpoint or a controller. It also gives you a baseline: test ordinary stereo audio before enabling spatial processing or changing EQ.
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These instructions describe Razer’s Windows setup. Console, mobile and other operating-system controls can differ, and a setting available in Synapse on Windows should not be assumed to exist on every platform.
Choose the correct Windows playback device
For Razer’s documented THX setup, make the Razer headset the default Windows output device. Some older models use a separate endpoint named Game; the Nari family and Kraken Tournament Edition are examples. Select that endpoint when Razer’s instructions for your model call for it.
- Open Windows sound settings and display the list of playback devices.
- Select the Razer headset, or its Game endpoint when the model provides one.
- Set it as the default output device.
- Open the playback-device properties and confirm that audio enhancements have not been disabled if your model’s Razer instructions require them.
- Leave Windows Spatial sound set to Off when using THX through Synapse.
This arrangement keeps the Windows output route and Razer’s processing aligned. If a game or chat program has its own output selector, choose the same Razer endpoint there instead of assuming it follows the Windows default.
A common mistake is selecting a generic monitor, laptop-speaker or motherboard output in one of those places. You can still see volume activity while hearing nothing in the headset, because the signal is being sent elsewhere. Check both the Windows default and the individual app’s output choice before changing EQ or reinstalling software.
Adjust headset sound and EQ in Synapse
Open the sound controls
Open Synapse, select the headset, and open its Sound settings. Razer’s documented headset interface provides four common EQ choices: Game, Movie, Music and Custom. The exact list can differ by model and software version.
Choose a preset as a starting point, or select Custom to move the available frequency bands yourself. EQ changes the balance between bass, midrange and treble; it does not change the microphone’s recording level or select a different input device.
Use presets as starting points, not universal answers
- Game: A practical starting point when you want game effects and positional cues to stand out.
- Movie: A starting point for cinematic content where a different tonal balance may suit dialogue and effects.
- Music: A starting point for songs and other two-channel listening.
- Custom: Use this when a preset does not suit your hearing, game, music or room.
There is no single best EQ curve for every listener or headset. Make one small change at a time, compare it with the previous setting at a comfortable listening level, and save the result only after checking several types of content. A setting that emphasizes explosions can make speech or footsteps harder to hear, while extra treble can make some voices or effects tiring.
Model-specific onboard EQ controls
The BlackShark V3 is a specific example of a headset with a physical shortcut. Its SmartSwitch button cycles EQ presets without requiring a trip through the software. Razer’s support information lists these choices for the button: Default, Game, Movie, Music and Esports 1. That shortcut is not a universal Razer control; use it only if your model documents the same feature.
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If a physical shortcut and Synapse appear to disagree, first identify which preset is active in Synapse, then press the button once and check the displayed profile. Avoid changing several bands and cycling presets at the same time, since a preset change may replace the custom balance you were evaluating.
Turn microphone monitoring (sidetone) off or change its level
If you hear your own voice in the earcups, the feature involved is usually Mic Monitoring, also called Sidetone. It feeds the headset microphone back to you. It is separate from microphone gain, Windows input volume and the input device selected by a game or voice-chat application.
Synapse 4 path
- Open Synapse 4 and select the headset from the Razer Device tab.
- Open Mic.
- Find Mic Monitoring (Sidetone).
- Turn it off, or reduce the level until your voice is comfortable.
Synapse 3 path
- Open Synapse 3 and select the headset.
- Open Audio, then Mic.
- Turn off Mic Monitoring (Sidetone), or lower its level.
Changing sidetone does not automatically change what other people hear. If teammates report that your voice is quiet, distorted or noisy, check the microphone input selected in the game or chat app and its own input controls. There is no single input-level workflow that applies to every headset, Windows version and communication program.
Sidetone can be useful at a low level because it lets you hear that the microphone is active, but it can also be distracting or create the impression of an echo. Adjust it while speaking normally, not while shouting, and test again after joining the actual voice application you use.
Enable THX Spatial Audio without double-processing
Check support before looking for the switch
THX Spatial Audio is not included on every Razer headset. Confirm support for the exact model before troubleshooting a missing THX control. Razer’s headset procedure is Windows-specific and applies only to compatible devices.
Windows and Synapse sequence
- Confirm compatibility. Check the support information for the precise headset model.
- Select the output. Set the Razer headset as the Windows default playback device. If the model provides a Game endpoint, select that endpoint when instructed for the model.
- Disable Windows spatial processing. In the playback-device properties, set Windows Spatial sound to Off. Also ensure that required enhancements have not been disabled.
- Open the headset in Synapse. Select the device and open the Sound tab.
- Switch to THX Spatial Audio. Turn on THX in Synapse rather than searching for THX in Windows Spatial sound.
- Choose an EQ. Select Game, Movie, Music or Custom, then make small band adjustments if needed.
Razer explains that THX Spatial Audio may not appear as a Windows Spatial Sound option because it is embedded in the sound output device. The practical result is that the THX toggle belongs in Synapse for a compatible headset.
Bundled THX and the separate application
Razer’s playback-device guidance distinguishes the THX component supplied with a THX-enabled headset from the separately acquired standalone THX Spatial Audio application. When a supported headset is detected, THX Spatial – Razer Synapse is added through the headset software. Do not assume that installing the separate application is required for the integrated headset feature.
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Understand what each control actually changes
| Control | What it changes | Where to adjust it |
|---|---|---|
| EQ preset or bands | The tonal balance of headset playback | Synapse headset Sound settings; some models also provide an onboard shortcut |
| Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) | How much of your own microphone signal is fed back to your earcups | Synapse Mic settings |
| Windows output device | Which device receives system and game playback | Windows sound settings and, where applicable, the game’s output selector |
| Windows Spatial sound | Windows-level spatial processing | Windows playback-device properties |
| THX Spatial Audio | Razer’s spatial processing on supported headsets | Synapse headset Sound tab |
| App input device and input level | Which microphone a game or chat app records and how strongly it records it | The individual game or communication app |
Keeping these functions separate makes troubleshooting faster. Lowering sidetone will not fix a low recording level for teammates, and changing EQ will not repair a wrong microphone selection in a chat app.
Synapse 3 and Synapse 4 menu differences
Razer’s interface documentation notes that headset EQ and THX controls moved to the Sound tab for the referenced headset families. If an older guide tells you to look elsewhere, use the current layout shown by your installed Synapse version and the support page for your model.
| Task | Synapse 4 | Synapse 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Open headset microphone controls | Razer Device tab > Mic | Audio > Mic |
| Find EQ and THX on the documented headset interface | Headset > Sound | Headset > Sound after the documented UI change |
| Support status | Required for continued customization after a completely uninstalled device | No updates or cloud-service support after February 3, 2026; installed devices may remain configurable |
If you uninstall a device while relying on Synapse 3, plan on using Synapse 4 for future customization according to Razer’s stated transition policy.
Troubleshoot the most common problems
THX is missing
- Verify that the exact headset model supports THX Spatial Audio.
- Confirm that Synapse has detected the headset or its required USB controller.
- Check the headset’s Sound tab rather than Windows Spatial sound.
- Set the correct Razer output endpoint in Windows; older devices may require Game.
- Make sure Windows Spatial sound is Off for the documented THX configuration.
- If you are using Synapse 3 with a device that was fully removed, install or migrate to Synapse 4 as Razer directs.
You hear your own voice
- Open the appropriate Synapse microphone path for your version.
- Turn Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) off.
- If you still hear yourself, check whether the game or chat app has its own microphone-monitoring feature enabled.
Other people cannot hear you correctly
- Open the game or chat app’s input-device menu and select the Razer microphone explicitly.
- Check that the app’s input level or automatic gain setting is not muted or set too low.
- Test the microphone in that app rather than relying only on sidetone; sidetone proves that monitoring is active, not that the app is recording the intended input.
- Use the exact model’s support instructions for any model-specific mute switch, controller or microphone behavior.
There is no game audio or the wrong device is active
- Set the Razer headset, or the documented Game endpoint, as the Windows default output.
- Check the game’s own output selector, because some games retain a different device from Windows.
- Inspect the physical connection and any USB audio controller used by the headset.
- Reopen Synapse after reconnecting the device so it can detect the correct endpoint.
The sound seems processed twice
Use one spatial-processing path for the documented setup: THX in Synapse with Windows Spatial sound Off. Running Windows spatial processing and THX together can make the result difficult to judge and can alter positional cues. Return to a single path before evaluating EQ or game audio.
Model-specific notes
BlackShark V3
Razer identifies the BlackShark V3 as Synapse 4-supported and documents THX Spatial Audio integrated in Synapse. Its SmartSwitch control cycles Default, Game, Movie, Music and Esports 1 EQ presets. Use Synapse when you need finer EQ adjustment or THX control; use the button when you want to cycle the documented presets quickly.
Kraken Tournament Edition
The Kraken Tournament Edition uses a USB Audio Controller that Synapse detects for its audio command features. Razer documents volume, bass and game/chat controls on that controller, along with THX Spatial Audio support. If Synapse does not show the expected headset entry, check that the controller is connected and that the correct controller or Game playback endpoint is selected. The controller guidance applies to this model, not to Razer headsets generally.
A reliable order for making changes
When several settings are wrong at once, change them in an order that isolates each variable:
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- Set the correct Windows playback endpoint and confirm basic stereo audio.
- Choose a neutral or built-in EQ preset and listen at a comfortable level.
- Enable THX only if the model supports it, with Windows Spatial sound Off.
- Set Mic Monitoring to the level you want, or disable it.
- Open the game or chat app and select the intended input and output devices there.
- Test one game, one voice-chat session and one music or video source before making further EQ changes.
This sequence prevents a microphone-monitoring problem from being mistaken for a recording problem and prevents two spatial processors from being evaluated at the same time.
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What to expect from Synapse after February 2026
Razer states that “Effective February 3, 2026, Razer Synapse 3 will no longer receive updates or support cloud services.” Existing installed devices may continue to be configurable in Synapse 3, but a completely uninstalled device requires Synapse 4 for continued customization under Razer’s stated policy. The transition also explains why instructions written for older Synapse layouts may show EQ or THX in a different location.
For any control that is absent, treat the model’s support page and the installed software version as authoritative. Do not infer that a missing THX toggle, EQ band or sidetone slider is broken until compatibility and the correct Synapse path have been checked.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I find THX under Windows Spatial sound?
Razer says THX Spatial Audio is embedded in the sound output device, so it may not appear as a Windows Spatial Sound option. Select the supported Razer headset in Windows, leave Windows Spatial sound Off, then use the headset’s Sound tab in Synapse to switch THX on.
Does every Razer headset include THX Spatial Audio?
No. THX is model-dependent. Confirm compatibility for the exact headset before following the THX sequence or looking for a toggle that your device does not provide.
Do I need to buy the standalone THX Spatial Audio app?
Not necessarily. Razer distinguishes the THX Spatial component supplied with a THX-enabled headset and the separately acquired standalone application. A supported headset can add THX Spatial – Razer Synapse after Synapse detects it. Check the model’s support page rather than assuming an additional purchase is required. Current pricing is not part of the configuration instructions.
Why does Windows show a “Game” output?
Some older Razer devices expose a Game endpoint used by the documented setup. The Nari family and Kraken Tournament Edition are examples. Use the endpoint named in your model’s instructions, and select the same endpoint inside games that provide their own output menu.
Why do I hear myself even when the chat app is muted?
Mic Monitoring or Sidetone is local feedback from the headset microphone, not proof that a chat app is transmitting. Turn it off or lower it in Synapse: Razer Device > Mic in Synapse 4, or Audio > Mic in Synapse 3. Then check the app’s input and monitoring controls separately.
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No. Sidetone changes how much of your own microphone signal returns to your earcups. Teammates’ volume and quality depend on the microphone selected and the input controls in their game or communication app.
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Can I use the BlackShark V3’s button with a custom EQ?
The BlackShark V3 SmartSwitch cycles the documented Default, Game, Movie, Music and Esports 1 presets. Use Synapse for finer custom-band adjustments; the physical shortcut is a model-specific preset cycler, not a universal custom-EQ control.
What happens if I remove my headset while using Synapse 3?
Razer says installed devices may remain configurable in Synapse 3, but a completely uninstalled device requires Synapse 4 for continued customization. Because Synapse 3 stopped receiving updates and cloud-service support on February 3, 2026, keep that transition in mind before removing a device.
Bottom line
Identify the exact headset and Synapse version first. Route Windows and in-game playback to the correct Razer device or documented Game endpoint, adjust EQ in the Sound tab, and control your own voice through Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) in the Mic settings. On compatible Windows headsets, use THX in Synapse with Windows Spatial sound Off. Model-specific features such as BlackShark V3 preset cycling and the Kraken Tournament Edition controller should be treated as exceptions, not universal Razer behavior.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mic Monitoring in Synapse?
In Synapse 4, open the Razer Device tab and choose Mic. In Synapse 3, open Audio, then Mic. Turn Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) off or lower its level.
Why is THX Spatial Audio missing?
Check that the exact headset supports THX, that Synapse detects the headset or required controller, and that you are looking in the headset Sound tab. Set Windows Spatial sound to Off for the documented setup.
Do I need the standalone THX application?
A THX-enabled headset can use the THX Spatial component supplied through Razer Synapse. The separately acquired standalone application is a distinct product; do not assume it is required.
Does sidetone change what other people hear?
No. Sidetone only feeds your microphone back to your own earcups. The game or chat app controls the input device and recording level sent to other people.
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Some older Razer models, including Nari-family devices and Kraken Tournament Edition, provide a playback endpoint named Game. Select it when the model’s Razer instructions specify it.
What changed for Synapse 3 in 2026?
Razer states that Synapse 3 stopped receiving updates and cloud-service support on February 3, 2026. Installed devices may remain configurable, but a completely uninstalled device requires Synapse 4 for continued customization.
The Bottom Line
Use the model’s documented Razer endpoint, keep EQ, sidetone, input selection and spatial processing separate, and enable THX only on a compatible headset through Synapse. Leave Windows Spatial sound Off to avoid double-processing.
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