MICROPHONE ARRAYS Options

[Andrew_Tatham]

I'm a student at Durham University (in the UK), and my final year project involves the use of microphone arrays for speech recognition.

If anyone has any experience of using microphone arrays for speech recognition or source location, i would be interested to hear from them.

Yours Sincerely
Andrew Tatham
S.A.Tatham@durham.ac.uk

[Tom Perry]

I use both the Andrea DA-400 and the GN Netcom voice array microphones. What would you like to know about them?

Tom Perry

[Judy Evans]

Tom

I didn't know you used them -- I have thought of getting the newer Andrea

Judy

[Tom Perry]

Judy

Actually, the Andrea is Version 1 (not 2 which is the current version), which is pretty good, but I'd have to give the GN Netcom a slightly higher rating in terms of voice arrays (noise cancellation is better and you can be at about a 24" distance rather than Andrea's 18" disctance). Unfortunately, my GN Netcom and recognition went south about 2 weeks ago (I jarred it badly and now I get some humming in it when I do a sound recorder check). When I get a moment, I want to take it apart and see if I can fix it.

If I can't fix it,I will probably get another voice array maybe in like 4-5 months.

I only use the voice arrays at home in a quiet SOHO whereas I use a Sennheiser 431II at work where it is a noisier environment and
not so good acoustically.

And yes, I am from Canada...about 1200 miles west of John (look at the Great Lakes, in particular Lake Huron, and then right at the bottom is a city called Sarnia). That's where I'm at. And yes, I've been to both Cardiff, UK (coal town;-) and Charlottetown, PEI so I understand where you both coming from:-)

Tom Perry

[Andrew_Tatham]

Sorry for cross posting, i have posted a reply (and all further postings) in the microphones forum.

Andrew Tatham

[Judy Evans]

Tom, hello

I've started not seeing posts; is that me, or is the "lights" system here not working?!

Thanks for the info on the Desktop Arrays. My "study" at home is amazingly quiet (most of the time) and the acoustics in this old house are good. I thought of a desktop array because I'm a headset-hater and have begun to find I need a mike I can dictate to at a greater distance than gooseneck or deskmounted handhelds will allow. (I need to keep my posture OK and flexible, I have - minor-- neck problems.) The obvious alternative is the Philips SpeechMike Pro; if it can be dismantled to remove the lead in the back!

So, again, thanks.

The MD 431 II is while terrific wrong for me right now; if my neck gets sorted out -- which is possible -- I could begin using that kind of mike again. But I don't need its noise-cancelling qualities, now.

>>>
And yes, I am from Canada...about 1200 miles west of John (look at the Great Lakes, in particular Lake Huron, and then right at the bottom is a city called Sarnia).
>>>

Ah that sounds a good place -- I'm thinking lakes! Sorry I thought you were from that place to the South; you can't tell on the Net.

>>
That's where I'm at. And yes, I've been to both Cardiff, UK (coal town;-)
>>

*No one* has been to Cardiff! -- more people are coming now, it's changing all the time... -- King Coal paid for all the wonderful Victorian houses and the parks, so I am not complaining...
normally though it's just us Brits (including as it's Cardiff Italians and Norwegians and so on)

Judy

[Tom Perry]

Judy,

Then why not order the GN Netcom V-2000 at $4.99 US$ as Andrew mentioned. What a deal, but the S&H will cost a bit more than that.
I fixed my GN Netcom after I whacked it a few times with the palm of my hand...didn't have to take it apart after all. I didn't know the discount price was still on so I might order another one tomorrow. I always like to keep an inventory of good microphones that I can acquire at great prices. I can't speak from experience but I suspect it has better noise-cancelling than the Buddy GooseNeck. I only say that because the Gooseneck has an Emkay mic element and my experiences with Emkay mics and noise cancelling have been nothing to write home about. It could be my voice, though.

Hopefully, you turned your lights on for thi post;-)

Tom Perry

[Judy Evans]

Tom hello,

>Then why not order the GN Netcom V-2000 at >$4.99 US$ as Andrew mentioned

I really should, shouldn't I? It's an unbelievably good deal.

>>>
I always like to keep an inventory of good microphones that I can acquire at great prices.
>>>

Yes. I should check out the US deals -- we don't get them over here -- I like to have an inventory too.

>>>
I can't speak from experience but I suspect it has better noise-cancelling than the Buddy GooseNeck. I only say that because the Gooseneck has an Emkay mic element
>>>

Thanks -- that's really useful. You're right about the Buddy; and now I think of it it does sometimes pick up noise from somewhere; the usually fine noise readings can rise. I thought that was because the mike is clamped to a thin surface so anyway gets shaken! But Emkays are not noise cancelling really. Yes. I'll order one -- after a quick check on its use in the UK!

>Hopefully, you turned your lights on for >thi post;-)

I saw this one right away.. So I'm the only one with a Forum Lights problem? :-)

Judy

[John Wickett]

Okay Tom, you convinced me. I just ordered the GN Netcom at $4.99 US plus $25.00 S&H from the same site. I should have it in about a week and will post my results on the forum.

John

[Tom Perry]

Judy:

A thought just occurred to me. The Netcom uses AC voltage, ie. you plug it into a wall outlet. As I recall UK voltage is different from Can/US voltage or it used to be anyways. That may cause you a problem unless you can get some sort of adaptor over there.

Tom

[Tom Perry]

John:

I just ordered one now also. Same deal $4.99 plus $25 S&H...arrives in a week. I was a little despondent for about 2-3 weeks after I thought I'd damaged my Netcom and was back using the DA-400. I think the Netcom has superior noise cancelling. I couldn't see ordering another at $108US because by the time you add the S&H, our GST/HST/PST, and the horrible US$ exchange rate in, the cost becomes something like $200 Canadian. But for this price, you really can't go wrong.

Tom Perry

[Judy Evans]

John

yes - I would need an adapter; the Andreas are sold here but shipped from the US; an adapter's fitted. Normally it's easy to get those adapters but I need to run a quick check (I forgot to last night)

Judy

[Judy Evans]

OOPS!

*Tom*,

yes, I would need an adapter - for the rest of the message see the post addressed to John

!

Judy