[ale] OT: Where can I learn about microphones?

[arxaaron]

If I were assembling an audio conferencing system, I would
probably go with multiple desktop "PZM" type microphones
or something similar that would sit flat on a table top.  I may
have a line on where you could get a bunch of these on the
cheap:

    Crown 170 PCC SWO
    <http://www.crownaudio.com/mic_web/pcc.htm>
    (this model line also has some special features for conferencing
     that you might find useful)**

then feed them into an automated "loudest mic" mixer

    <http://www.fullcompass.com/product/291689.html>
    <http://www.fullcompass.com/product/382292.html>
    <http://www.fullcompass.com/product/321659.html>
    (There are 4 and 5 mic versions of the Audio Technica
      ATMX as well).

and then the mixer would feed into a decent A2D USB interface like:

    <http://tascam.com/product/us-122mkii/>

** The PCC microphones are designed for conference
and classroom situations and have push to talk or remote
open / closed capabilities. If your people were aware
enough to remember to turn on their mic when speaking,
the (pricey) automated mixer might not be necessary.

In any conference situation with open speakers (instead of
everyone wearing headphones), the hurdle is avoiding echo
loops between the remote and local end.  Ideally, the local
speaker is muted when a local mic is in use and all the local
mics are muted when the local speaker is in use.  In a perfect
world, your conference connection software would be smart
enough to suppress audio return loops.

Hope that was some definitive help.

peace
aaron


On 2012/02/10, at 14:51 , Richard Bronosky wrote:

> I need to learn about microphones so that I can build some
> teleconferencing kits. We have about a dozen different USB mics and
> they all suck. Every meeting is full of complaints that the remote
> attendees can't hear. I want analog mics and a mixing board. Probably
> a USB digitizer. (I _might_ consider a USB mixing board if it is very
> _very_ excellent.)
>
> I want to consider many options:
> 1. single condensor mics
> 2. multiple condensor mics
> 3. stationary directional mics
> 4. human operated directional mics
> 5. robotic directional mic or mics - either voice tracking or IR baton
> tracking (I may have to build that one)
> 6. several lavalier mics
> 7. any other voodoo
>
> -- 
> .!# RichardBronosky #!.
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