Click Here
How To

How to Buy a Microphone for Speech

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(6 Ratings)

If you are dictating into a recorder, you don't want to pick up the conversation in the next cube. Yet if you are recording a conference meeting, you want to pick up everyone at the table. This article covers selecting the right type of microphone for specific uses.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Buy a magnetically shielded microphone to use with a computer (these are normally sold as "computer microphones").

  2. Step 2

    Make sure the microphone has the correct plug if you will use it with a computer, portable recorder or camcorder.

  3. Step 3

    Buy a unidirectional microphone for dictation, for use with a public address system, for broadcasting or for other situations in which you want to pick up only an individual voice.

  4. Step 4

    Consider a stereo, cardioid or unidirectional microphone for interviewing.

  5. Step 5

    Use a lavaliere (clip-on) microphone when you need your hands available and won't be using a podium.

  6. Step 6

    Buy an omnidirectional microphone for recording lectures or meetings.

  7. Step 7

    Employ a close-talk microphone (one that is built into a headset) for word processing with voice-recognition software. If a microphone is included with the software, use it instead of any other computer microphone you have.

  8. Step 8

    Buy a close-talk or stick-on microphone for basic computer speech recognition (operating system instructions, task control, and so).

Tips & Warnings
  • If you have a portable tape recorder with a built-in omnidirectional microphone (usually on the top side for sitting on a desk or table), you can buy a unidirectional microphone to gain intelligible sound-quality for dictation.
  • If you have a portable tape recorder with a built-in unidirectional microphone, you can buy an omnidirectional microphone to pick up more distant sounds.
  • Make sure a close-talk microphone is satisfactorily comfortable before buying it.
  • Check to see that your tape recorder has a microphone input before buying a microphone. Most portables have inputs; most decks do not.
  • Make sure a computer microphone is compatible with your computer (in rare cases, it may not be).

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Electronics Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Electronics
eHow_eHow Technology and Electronics