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

[Jeff Hubbs]

Check to see if those mics require phantom power and if so, also if the 
mixer you use can supply it.

On 2/10/12 9:03 PM, Richard Bronosky wrote:
> The echo loop should be a non issue because we don't amplify the local
> attendees back into the room. That's just the way Skype, GoToMeeting,
> WebEx, and Google Hangouts work. The signal from the mics are only
> sent to the remote attendees. The signal from the remote attendees is
> the only thing that comes out of the speakers. The software has a
> pretty easy time of removing the signal from the speakers (from the
> remote attendees, remember) from what the mics pic up so that the
> remote attendees don't hear themselves echo. I agree that micing a
> room to amplify and play back into the room is very hard. Luckily that
> is NOT what I am doing. I just need high, accurate gain.
>
> Oh, as a side note, I found about a dozen good quality mics at work
> after everyone left for the day.
> https://plus.google.com/u/0/103188493504862905835/posts/R5tzUzbXsfY
>
> I'm not done by any means, but I bet I can use those!
>
> On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 6:43 PM, arxaaron<arxaaron at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> 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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