What else you need to use it
Worked out from Elgato’s own specifications and box contents for this model. The setup builder checks the same parts against your computer and the rest of your gear.
Check first
- A USB-A port on your computer. The cable in the box is USB-C to USB-A. If your computer only has USB-C ports, use a USB-C to USB-C cable instead.
Optional
- A boom arm, if you want it closer. A desk stand is in the box. An arm lets you bring the microphone nearer your mouth without it sitting in the camera shot; check the arm fits its 1/4-inch, 5/8-inch or 3/8-inch thread.
- Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug. Its headphone socket lets you hear yourself straight from the microphone, before the computer adds delay. Headphone test
When this model makes sense
- Record one voice straight over USB; get the placement right before adding effects.
- Use its headphone socket to hear yourself while you set distance and gain.
- Keep a simple one-voice setup without buying an XLR interface. Add one only when you need another input.
The USB versus XLR guide weighs it against the other ways to fill the same role.
Connections and specs
- Full name
- Elgato Wave Neo
- Still sold
- Yes, a current model
- Type
- Microphones
- Connection
- Connector shape
- USB-C; 3.5 mm headphoneA plug’s shape doesn’t tell you its speed →
- Audio outputs
- USB
- Microphone type
- Condenser
- Direct monitoring
- YesWhat direct monitoring does →
- Connects by
- USB
- Data connection
- USB 2.0What this means for speed →
- Pickup pattern
- Cardioid
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz-20 kHz
- Sample rate
- 48 kHz; 96 kHz
- Bit depth
- 24-bit
- Max SPL
- 120 dB SPL
- Sensitivity
- -23 dBFS minimum gain; +7 dBFS maximum gain
- Dynamic range
- 94 dB
- Power input
- 5 V / 200 mA
- Cable
- USB-C to USB-A 2.0 cable, 150 cm
- Size and mounting
- Mounts
- 1/4-inch; 5/8-inch adapter; 3/8-inch adapter
- Dimensions
- 92 x 92 x 282 mm with riser; 92 x 92 x 182 mm without riser
- Weight
- 520 g with riser; 450 g without riser
- In the box
- Included parts
- Wave Neo; Desktop stand; 10 cm riser; Pop filter; USB-C to USB-A cable
- Computer
- Operating systems
- Windows 11+; macOS 14.2+; iPadOS 17+; Android 10+
Check these conditions first
Not yet confirmed from Elgato’s documents: power draw. The builder treats it as unknown, never as a yes.
For a microphone, set your distance and input gain before adding any processing. Speak as loudly as you will on stream, listen back to a recording and leave some headroom. Judge a USB/XLR microphone in the mode you will use: its USB voice processing does not carry over to XLR.
What is included, and what may be missing
- Wave Neo
- Desktop stand
- 10 cm riser
- Pop filter
- USB-C to USB-A cable
Both cable ends and the data rating matter more than the plug shape: streaming cables and ports explains how to match them.
Place it in the complete setup
Every connection
- Webcam USB outUSB cable → A USB port on your computer
- Microphone USB outUSB cable → A USB port on your computer
- Microphone / interface headphone out3.5 mm or 6.3 mm headphone connection → Headphones (what you hear)
- Computer Ethernet portEthernet cable → router; your upload → Platform (check the stream preview)
- Wall socketThe maker’s power supply, or USB power → Computer and devices that need their own power
The diagram shows a simple USB setup. Find where the Elgato Wave Neo goes, then follow each input back to what feeds it and each output on to where it goes. HDMI and XLR gear needs a capture card or audio interface between it and your computer; it doesn’t plug straight in the way this USB example does.
The setup builder turns this into a connection list for your own computer and gear, and the pre-stream checklist covers the rehearsal once it is wired.
Compare it head to head
Each page sets the two models’ specs side by side and says what else each one needs.