One of the most crucial parts of a video/audio conferencing system is ensuring that the far-end is getting the best quality audio possible. While we can talk all day about how a DSP [digital signal processor] can be a great tool in really getting your conferencing system dialed in, what is as equally important is the microphone utilized to capture the audio.
While we may seem biased (we are their reps for Southern California!), ClearOne has been a leader in the world of audio conferencing for many years. One of the products that can be found in use in conference rooms all over the world are the 3-mic element hanging mic arrays http://clearone.com/products_ceiling_microphone_array. All mics are created equal, right? Wrong! Our mic utilizes three elements, and provides crisp, intelligible 360-degree pick-up. While we’d love if you use our DSP, these can be used with any audio system.
The question is, when is a hanging mic required, and what are the benefits of it? In many conference rooms, there are always many concerns with regards to the aesthetics. Many times, placing mics on the conference room table simply isn’t an option, and a hanging mic may be the only way to capture audio within the room, and send it to the far-end. Hanging mics can be placed in a position where they easily pick up the entire conference room, and more importantly, can be placed more out of sight. Much of the concerns with regards to aesthetics can be removed by using a hanging mic.
When determining what type of mic to be used, there are a few things to consider:
- How many mics are required to pick up the entire conference room space?
- Can the mics be placed on top of the table?
- If table placement is not possible, will the client/architect allow for a hanging mic?
- Are there locations directly over the table for proper pick up?
While the number of mics required to pick up the room won’t necessarily dictate what type of mic, the answers to questions #2, 3, and 4 are crucial when determining the type of mic. By the way, acoustics can also have an impact on the type of mic used.
Need help determining which mic to choose? We would be happy to help. Visit our contact page for assistance. http://pacificav.net/contact/