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The Best USB Microphones

By Bruce Hathaway

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 26Aug2011
Word count: 591
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There are various factors to consider when choosing the best computer (USB) microphones. Everyone has different needs and will use these desktop mics for different purposes: online gaming, Internet phone calls, speech recognition, to name just a few. Your individual needs will play a vital role in the budget and model choices.

The primary decision that many people are faced with when it comes to USB mics is whether to buy a wireless or wired model. A wired mic is usually a standalone device that may or may not be included with a purchase of a PC. Generally, wired mics are the cheaper alternative to the wireless ones.

A wireless mic facilitates many benefits for end-users. It can come in the form of a lapel mic that latches onto clothing, an earpiece and mic, a handheld or mounted on a stand; the headset model is similar to a Bluetooth device for a mobile phone. In fact many telephone operators utilize a headset. Headsets include an earpeice and an attached microphone. Wireless models are more expensive than wired models, but wireless models facilitate more flexibility and can broadcast across various distances.

The type of connection the microphone uses is another factor to consider. While many mics work with a dedicated socket in the desktop's sound card, there are other mics that work with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. There is not much difference in quality of sound, but sometimes the quality of the sound card may have better fidelity

Most computer mic models can be used via a Universal Serial Bus port. With the modern trend of laptops, it may be more practical to use a USB computer mic. Most computers facilitate more than one Universal Serial Bus port. USB ports can provide flexibility in location, especially if you're using a laptop.

In some cases, the design of a computer has dedicated 1/8th inch mic sockets and these plugs can be susceptible to breaking or cracking. It is quite difficult to fix it if the dedicated connections break. Therefore, USB ports can reduce these potential and troublesome issues.

Internet-based phone services like Skype are ideally suited for USB headsets, especially, if podcasts and conference calls are intended. Most standard microphones that come packaged with the computer are poor in sound quality, and oftentimes, produce feedback loops by receiving sounds from the person at the other end of the conversation.

Playing online games has a valid reason for using a headset. Headsets allow players to type on keys comfortably without having to push the mike button or lean into the phone. A lot of gamers spend a long time playing games, so it is particularly useful in maintaining upright posture, circumventing neck strain and other common issues associated with poor posture.

Speech recognition requires high-quality models to effectively distinguish speech patterns. Models that facilitate noise-cancellation are very effective for speech recognition, and they reduce the possibility of background noise affecting the mike's interpretation of speech patterns. Some software and phone packages advise that the speaker keeps his mouth at the same distance each time he speaks for the purpose of speech recognition. In these cases, a headset is the most valid option for users of computer microphones in the most comfortable and consistent position.

We hope this article on the different USB microphones will help in shedding some light on the subject.

Bruce has achieved a lifetime of producing and engineering at his studio, Excello Recording in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He is also a computer mic expert with knowledge of USB mics both dynamic and condenser.

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