Searching for a small microphone

On 6-Feb-06, at 6:50 AM, dano wrote:
>
> I believe I need to get a mic that is not so close to the keyboard -
> one that can hang unobtrusively from the lid of the PowerBook and
> away from the resonance of the keys.

You could try the Griffin lapel Mic. I actually got one to use with
my iPod to record voice memos and it works very well. It is not
USB but it plugs into the mic jack on the PB and has a little clip
on it so it sits perfectly atop the PB screen (the clip is just the
right size to hold onto the top of the lid) with the cord completely
concealed behind it.

It might be worth a try for what you are doing.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/lapelmic/

Amber

At 6:50 AM -0800 2/6/06, dano wrote:
>Lately I have been taking notes while using the audio record function
>of MS Word 11 to get the full scope of conversations. While there are
>other programs that may be more useful for recording, Word has the
>advantage of tagging the written notes to the "timecode" of the audio
>track. Unfortunately, the built in microphone of the PowerBook picks
>up keyboarding such that the audio notes become largely unlistenable
>while typing is going on.

I tried asking the same question of the list last year. (The subject
of that thread was "recording with microsoft office," started on
2/8/05).
http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tlkthrd=2466

I found a whole bunch of small/tiny mics at MicrophoneMadness.com,
but they are all just mics, not USB mics. I still had a problem with
the mic pickup. I wanted it to pick up the sound better than it was.
This led to my getting an iMic (a small external/USB soundcard), into
which I was supposed to be able to plug in a mic.

Unfortunately, even if I was along the right path, I never invested
the necessary brain cells to finishing the project. Instead, I've
been using my iPod to record sound.

Based on the limited investigation/thinking I did, here are the requirements:

Goal: a good way to get sound INTO a PowerBook so that recording
software can do its thing.
1) Small, so that it can easily be carried in a computer bag without
taking extra space or adding extra weight.
2) NOT require a battery, as that is sure to die at exactly the wrong
time (especially if kept in a computer bag).
3) Do a better job of picking up the sounds in the room being
recorded than the internal mic does.
4) NOT be overwhelming by the sound of keys being pressed (as the
internal mic does)
5) NOT be overwhelmed by a pencil tapping on the table that the
powerbook is on (as a simple mic set on a table would).

There are issues of preamplification (which I think I basically
understand) and line-level v. mic level input (which I don't) that
impact all of this.

So, now that Dan is joining me in this question, can anyone help us?
--
=alex hoffman

dano wrote:

> Lately I have been taking notes while using the audio record
> function of MS Word 11 to get the full scope of
> conversations.

...

> I believe I need to get a mic that is not so close to the
> keyboard - one that can hang unobtrusively from the lid of
> the PowerBook and away from the resonance of the keys.

Wouldn't a microphone still pick up keyboarding sounds there?
Companies like Sony offer microphones that are designed to record
meetings/conversations. These are tabletop models that will pick up
sound from all directions. Putting the microphone on the table instead
will give it some isolation from keyboarding sounds.
They don't have USB plugs, though.

Harro de Jong

I have 2 thoughts on this. First, the iMic will work well with any microphone that has the proper plug - 1/8" mini plug. I've used one successfully for a long time. If batteries are a challenge for you, choose a dynamic microphone, which doesn't require battery power. You can probably find one at Radio Shack.

As far as preamps and line/mic go, here's the scoop (for those that are interested): Most microphones produce a very weak voltage - just a few millivolts (or thousandths of a volt). So voltage levels that are just a few milivolts, (up to a few hundred millivolts at most), are labled "mic" (microphone) level, since that is what comes out of a microphone.

Many devices, however, require a voltage that is much stronger than mic level, usually on the order of 1 volt. These type of inputs are labeled as "line" level. (I believe the term originated with the telephone company when they were talking about their telephone "lines"). In order to convert a mic level signal to a line level signal requires a "preamp", loosely meaning an amplifier "before" another amplifier. Essentially, the iMic is a mic preamp with a USB interface.

Some laptops have both mic and line level inputs. If so you don't need an iMic. Just plug the mic into the mic input jack. But if your laptop does not have a mic input jack and has only a line input jack, you would have 2 choices:, the iMic connected via USB, or a "mic preamp" connected to the Line input jack. The iMic is by far the best value, as most standalone mic preamps are very expensive. The iMic is only around $30.

Here's a completely different approach: Google on "Flexible USB keyboard". You'll find a gaggle of them. This would let you move the Laptop a few inches away from you and you would be typing on a keyboard that doesn't make any noise. Most of these flexible keyboards are very light and roll up compactly so are easy to store and transport. Just an idea.

Regards,

Howard

On 7-Feb-06, at 8:31 PM, Harro de Jong wrote:

> Putting the microphone on the table instead
> will give it some isolation from keyboarding sounds.
> They don't have USB plugs, though.

I have used this USB microphone with relatively good results. I
bought it primarily to use for Skype and a few voice recordings on my
PB.

<http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=6776>

It may not be as small as you would like but it does fold flat
against the base and fits easily into most laptop cases.

Amber

Not small. But USB. And superb, musician quality sound.

<http://www.bluemic.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Products&file=index&;
prod_id=18&POSTNUKESID=ebcdffbfbc4189689a268dfecd3105ba>

regards, George

dano on 2/6/06 wrote something to the effect of:

>I've searched rather widely for a small unobtrusive mic with a short
>cable, USB preferred, but haven't found anything ideal.

I'm not sure if this meets Dan's requirements of small, but I recently launched my own podcast (soccertalkusa.com for those interested in soccer ;-) and needed to do recording of my voice *without* picking up ambient room sounds, keyboarding, mouse clicks, and other distractions, and I found the Plantronics DSP-300 I had worked well.

<http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat640035/cat1430032/prod440040>

It's a lightweight headset and can be used to listen to music, etc. if you wish. It connects via USB and has it's own digital processing component (there is a small "brick" in the middle of the cord, between the headset and the USB connector, that houses some electronics) so it works even on Macs (or PCs) that don't have a sound card or microphone port. On the Mac, it just shows up in your Sound preferences panel and you can choose whether or not to use the microphone for input or the headset for output, and you can set the microphone sensitivity.

I like it because the tiny boom mike can be positioned near your mouth and you can have other noices in the room and it won't pick those up (unless you crank up the sensitivity).

The DSP-300 is an older model; I'm not sure if Plantronics still makes it. (I had to use Google to find it on their site as their own search system returned no matches!) When I got it, it was about $50 a few years ago (I bought it rather than get a sound card for my rarely used PC). I see now they've got similar offerings that are more expensive, so it might be overkill for what you're wanting.

______________________________________________________________________
      Marc Zeedar * Publisher * REALbasic Developer Magazine
                    <http://www.rbdeveloper.com/>

I don't know whether this will help anyone or not but I purchased a
USB 2.0 Audio adapter:

<http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HE-280B&cpc=SCH&srm=0>

Can't say how it works as I have not had a chance to try it yet. But
it does seem like it would open up more options for microphones. I
noticed that the link says they are out of stock, so you would
probably be able to get it elsewhere. I just found it very reasonable
at Geeks. Hope this helps.

Pam

How about the DSP 400 from Plantronics? I searched all over creation for
a minijack to USB converter but finally gave up and bought the DSP 400
which has a USB connector. It is alo foldable.

Regards,

-Jacques

Hi Dan,
You might get a double solution. I got a headset to use with Skype. It is a GE model 98970 from Target that is $20.00 or so. (Open it carefully, and you can return it if it doesn't do the trick for you)

Nice touch is that the mic plugs into the headset and is removable. It can plug into the mic port on a laptop and extends about 4 inches away from the machine. Don't know about the key sounds, but as a last resort, you could use a mini coupler extendion cord, or just use the behind the head headset as intended with the mic by your mouth as I do for Skype. (Plug the speaker jack into the PowerBook and hit iTunes if you want!!!)

If you haven't used Skype before, it's a hoot. I talk to my sister in South Africa quite often. Free call, great quality.

_________________________
Dave Friedholm

I don't think that we've been clear on what we are looking for:

We are NOT looking for ways to record ourselves (like with a headset).

We ARE looking for ways to record everyone at the meeting.

Right?
--
=alex hoffman

At 10:24 PM -0800 2/16/06, Alexander Hoffman wrote:
>We ARE looking for ways to record everyone at the meeting.
>
>Right?

That is exactly what I'm looking for.

Though the mic with the Skype headset may do that. It's hard to tell
from the written description.

Dan

On 2/16/06 11:16 AM, "Jacques Germans" <jgermansearthlink.net> wrote:

> How about the DSP 400 from Plantronics? I searched all over creation for
> a minijack to USB converter but finally gave up and bought the DSP 400
> which has a USB connector. It is alo foldable.

I have the DSP 400 and find a regular headset and the built in mike work
just as well.

If you use both the built in mike and speakers for Skype you or the user at
the other end will run into a problem with the microphone replaying what
comes out of the speakers, so that one of the callers rehears his or her
voice.

Hi Dave,

do you use the GE98970 with your Mac? So the heasdset has two minijacks? one that goes into the mic input and one plug that goes into the sound out port?

Thanks for the info,

Geno

On 29/7/07 4:13 AM, "Geno de Hostos" <hostospacbell.net> wrote:

do you use the GE98970 with your Mac? So the heasdset has two minijacks? one that goes into the mic input and one plug that goes into the sound out port?

Hi Dave/Geno,

I've tested a dozen or so, in retailers and wholesalers; as well as Appleshops here and in NZ. Bought a couple I thought would do the job, but they're pretty ordinary.

Best I've found came with my XtremeMac Micromemo (for voice recording on my iPod). I'm pretty sure you can't just buy the microphone, though... .

Works well with VoiceCandy, on my MacBook, too.

Paul, Margaret River, W. Australia.

On 30/7/07 6:13 PM, "ozcan" <ozcaniinet.net.au> wrote:

> On 29/7/07 4:13 AM, "Geno de Hostos" <hostospacbell.net> wrote:
>
> do you use the GE98970 with your Mac? So the heasdset has two minijacks?
> one that goes into the mic input and one plug that goes into the sound
> out port?
>
> Hi Dave/Geno,
>
> I've tested a dozen or so, in retailers and wholesalers; as well as Appleshops
> here and in NZ. Bought a couple I thought would do the job, but they're pretty
> ordinary.
>
> Best I've found came with my XtremeMac Micromemo (for voice recording on my
> iPod). I'm pretty sure you can't just buy the microphone, though... .
>
> Works well with VoiceCandy, on my MacBook, too.

I have a really good set of Sennheisers I can do that with... double jack.

But as a RTW motorcyclist, small is essential, so the tiny, single jack X-M
mike is ideal, especially when I'm researching and recording my forebears'
geneology in northern Europe. (And no, that doesn't include that little
vandal Goldilocks.)
Paul,
W. Australia