Absorption and Dampening

To dampen sound, blocking alone is not enough. The waves rebound and remain in the closed space, reverberating, creating an echo, and affecting the voice quality

To create an effective soundproofing mechanism, the sound waves must be absorbed first, and then dampened afterwards. The absorbed sound converts to heat energy which then needs to be expelled. Otherwise the mask becomes uncomfortable.

Multi-Layer Concept

To meet these requirements, we developed a multi-layer concept. Each individual layer is engineered for a specific function — sound absorption, sound dampening, or structural support — all assembled on a semi-rigid frame.

This approach allows us to tune each layer independently, optimizing the mask for the frequencies that matter most: the mid-to-high range where the human voice is strongest and most disturbing to others.


Comfort Starts with Shape

The shape of a soundproof mask matters as much as the materials inside it. From day one, we designed our masks to have enough space and cover the jaw. This keeps the mask stable while giving the mouth room to move naturally: better seal, better comfort.

Why? Because we design for gamers. For a quick phone call, a small mouth-only mask might be fine. But for 1–2 hour gaming sessions, you need a mask that stays put, seals well, and lets you speak freely without discomfort.

This design principle has remained at the core of every Metadox mask.

1st Generation — Proof of Concept

The PHASMA

The PHASMA was our first gaming mask, launched on Kickstarter and Indiegogo in 2021. Developed during the Covid era, a time when people were more accustomed to wearing masks, it was designed to prove that a voice-dampening mask for gamers could work.

And it did, the concept worked! The jaw-free design kept the mask stable during speech. Gamers could finally play without disturbing the people around them. And we are really thankful to all the supporters back then.

But the PHASMA also revealed the real challenges ahead.

Nose-Free Design

Customer feedback was clear: the nose area was the biggest source of discomfort. Breathing felt restricted, different nose sizes made fitting inconsistent, and the seal kept breaking around the nose bridge.

Our solution was radical. Remove the nose from the equation entirely. By redesigning the mask with an open-nose approach, we solved multiple problems simultaneously, unrestricted breathing, full compatibility with glasses, improved visibility, and a much better seal along the cheeks and jaw where contact is more uniform.

There is a caveat though. Nose being outside means a more nasal sounds. That needed to be compromised.

Microphone Quality

A soundproof mask creates a unique acoustic environment. A standard microphone placed inside will not perform well — the enclosed space alters frequencies, adds resonance, and muddies speech clarity.

With the collaboration of an engineer from a renowned acoustics engineer, we developed a microphone physically tuned to perform inside the mask.

The microphone structure was adapted to resonate at the right frequencies for speech, compensating for the acoustic characteristics of the enclosed space.

Mass Manufacturing

The PHASMA was built with 3D-printed plastic parts (FDM) and hand-assembled fabrics. While this allowed rapid prototyping and small production runs, the finish quality and consistency were limited.

For the next generation, we moved plastic parts to injection molding and assembly to a professional manufacturing company. This delivered the quality and consistency needed for a consumer product.

2nd Generation — Ready for the World

The OMBRA

The OMBRA combined all these improvements into our second-generation mask: nose-free design, a physically tuned microphone, injection-molded construction, and refined sealing. It became our most popular product, loved by gamers and featured at the Tokyo Game Show in 2023 where it gained massive attention on social media.

But we were not done. As more gamers used the OMBRA in the real world, new areas for improvement became clear.

Voice Clarity — Digital Sound Processing

A great microphone is only part of the equation. As development continued, we realized we needed further processing to go further. We developed an integrated DSP (Digital Sound Processing) system with noise suppression algorithm.

The DSP adapts the audio captured inside the mask for better clarity, suppressing unwanted noise while preserving natural voice characteristics.

Our latest firmware updates have been shaped directly by customer feedback and surveys. When gamers tell us what they need, we listen and deliver.

Even More Comfort

Comfort is not a single feature, it is the result of dozens of small improvements working together. For our latest release, we redesigned the seal, the straps, the edges, and the weight distribution.

Seal evolution: From memory foam with PU leather (PHASMA/OMBRA) to food-grade silicone with UV surface treatment (VEKTA). The silicone provides a softer, more consistent seal that adapts to face contours without the degradation issues of foam over time.

Dual strap system: A head strap and neck strap work together to distribute weight and keep the mask stable. Slightly more complex to put on, but far more secure for extended gaming sessions.

Lightweight construction: Smooth edges, reduced weight, and an inner silicone layer that sits gently against the skin.

Cooling

Heat buildup has been a challenge since the very first mask prototype. A sealed mask that absorbs sound also traps warmth. It is an inherent trade-off.

We tested multiple approaches over the years, including integrated cooling fans. They kind of worked, but they were loud, which defeats the purpose of a soundproof mask.

The solution: a removable cooling gel pad that you refrigerate before use. It is quiet, effective, and reusable. Long gaming sessions are assured.

USB Plug & Play

Finally, our masks are supposed to be compatible with different devices. By including USB interface we addressed many problems at one: zero latency, multi-device compatibility, easy to set up.

Earlier generations relied on 3.5mm audio connections, which caused compatibility issues. Sometimes not recognized, sometimes unclear whether the mic or audio was connected.

By integrating a USB interface, we solved multiple problems at once: zero-latency audio transmission, multi-device compatibility (PC, phone, PS4/PS5), and simple plug-and-play setup with no driver installation required.

3rd Generation — Everything We Learned Into One Mask

The VEKTA

The VEKTA is the culmination of five years of development, three generations of masks, and direct feedback from gamers. Every challenge we faced with the PHASMA and the OMBRA has been addressed:

  • Voice dampening up to 30dB at mid-to-high frequencies, using the proven multi-layer concept with silicone sandwich design and integrated foam.
  • Adapted built-in microphone with integrated DSP and custom noise suppression, continuously improved through firmware updates.
  • Comfort with Nose-free design, food-grade silicone seals, dual strap system, cooling gel pad, and lightweight construction.
  • USB Plug-and-Play with multi-device support. No drivers, no hassle.
  • Professional factory manufacturing with injection-molded ABS frames and food-grade silicone components.
Order the VEKTA

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