How to Use Game Chat and Party Chat at the Same Time
Gaming is more fun when you can talk. Sometimes you want to chat with your whole team in the game. Other times you only want to talk to your close friends in a party. The tricky part? Doing both at the same time without losing your mind. Don’t worry. It’s easier than it sounds.
TLDR: You can use game chat and party chat at the same time by adjusting your audio settings on your console or PC. Most systems let you balance voice levels and choose where your mic audio goes. Use the right headset setup and tweak chat mixers for best results. Once set up, you can talk to your squad and your party without missing a beat.
Why Use Both Chats?
Let’s say you are playing a team shooter. Your random teammates are in game chat. Your close friend is in your private party. You need both.
- Game chat helps you talk to everyone in the match.
- Party chat keeps your private conversation separate.
This is useful in games like battle royales, team sports games, and co-op adventures. You can coordinate with your full squad while still chatting with your best friend.
How Chat Systems Work
Before we jump into setup, let’s keep it simple.
There are two audio paths:
- Incoming audio – what you hear.
- Outgoing audio – what others hear from your mic.
Your device decides where each path goes. Consoles and PCs let you control this in the audio settings. The key is learning how to mix them.
Using Both Chats on PlayStation
On PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4, the system makes this pretty easy.
Step 1: Join a Party
Create or join a party with your friends.
Step 2: Enter Game Chat
Start your online match. Make sure game voice chat is enabled in the game settings.
Step 3: Adjust Voice Chat Balance
Press the PS button. Go to Sound. Look for Voice Chat Balance.
This slider lets you control:
- More party chat
- More game chat
Slide it until both sound clear. Not too loud. Not too quiet.
Pro Tip: Some games have their own chat volume settings. Lower one slightly to avoid echo or confusion.
Using Both Chats on Xbox
Xbox also gives you good control.
Step 1: Start or Join an Xbox Party
Open the guide. Join your party.
Step 2: Enter the Game
Make sure in-game voice chat is on.
Step 3: Adjust Chat Mixer
Go to Settings > General > Volume & Audio Output.
You will see a Chat Mixer. This adjusts how game sound changes when people talk.
Set it to:
- Do nothing (best for balanced audio)
- Reduce other sounds by 50%
- Reduce other sounds by 80%
Choose what feels right. Most players prefer minimal reduction.
Using Both Chats on PC
PC gives you the most power. It also gives you the most headaches. But we’ll keep it simple.
Option 1: Game Chat + Discord
This is the most common setup.
- Game chat runs inside the game.
- Party chat runs through Discord.
To make it work smoothly:
- Open Sound Settings in Windows.
- Set your headset as default input and output.
- In Discord, select the same headset manually.
- Adjust volume sliders separately in both apps.
Important: Disable “Exclusive Mode” in Windows sound settings if you have audio cutouts.
Option 2: Dual Output Setup
Advanced users can route:
- Game audio to headphones
- Chat audio to a second device
This requires software like:
- Voicemeeter
- SteelSeries Sonar
- Astro Command Center
These tools act like audio mixers. You can control everything.
Comparison Chart: Popular Chat Tools
| Tool | Best For | Ease of Use | Extra Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Console Built-In Chat | Simple party and game mix | Very Easy | Quick slider controls |
| Discord | PC and cross platform friends | Easy | Server channels, screen share |
| Voicemeeter | Advanced audio control | Medium | Audio routing and mixing |
| SteelSeries Sonar | Gamers with compatible headsets | Easy | Built-in equalizer and chat mix |
Best Headset Setup
Your headset matters a lot.
Look for:
- Built-in chat mix dial
- Noise canceling mic
- Comfort for long sessions
Many gaming headsets have a physical dial that blends party and game audio. This is super helpful. No menus. Just turn the wheel.
Avoid These Common Problems
Echo
Echo happens when your mic picks up your speakers. Use headphones. Lower mic sensitivity.
Double Voice
You might hear people twice. This happens if they are in both chats. Ask them to mute one channel.
Volume Overload
If everything sounds loud and messy, lower game audio first. Keep voice louder than explosions.
Push to Talk Confusion
On PC, you might have two push to talk keys. Set them differently. Keep it simple.
Smart Strategies While Playing
Talking in two channels is powerful. But don’t abuse it.
- Keep callouts short.
- Mute when not needed.
- Respect teammates.
If you are the bridge between party chat and game chat, repeat important info clearly. Do not shout. Clear and calm wins games.
When Not to Use Both
Sometimes less is more.
You don’t need both chats if:
- You are in a full private squad.
- The game requires intense focus.
- Comms are getting chaotic.
If it gets too noisy, pick one channel. Your performance may improve instantly.
Quick Setup Checklist
Before your next session:
- ✅ Headset plugged in securely
- ✅ Correct mic selected
- ✅ Game voice enabled
- ✅ Party voice connected
- ✅ Balanced volume levels
Test everything in a lobby. Not during a ranked match. Future you will be grateful.
Final Thoughts
Using game chat and party chat at the same time sounds complicated. It isn’t. It just takes a few minutes of setup. Once done, it feels natural.
You stay connected with your full team. You keep your private squad in the loop. You gain better control of communication.
Clear audio means clear strategy. Clear strategy means more wins. And more wins mean more fun.
Now grab your headset. Jump into your favorite game. And talk like a pro.