Types of video conferencing microphones |Onedirect.co.uk

SHAPE AND PICKUP RANGE: EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MICROPHONE ( AND THERE ARE MANY... )!

It's true! Almost 78% of videoconferencing participants consider sound quality to be one of the most important aspects for successful communication. So yes, computers and mobile devices are all equipped with microphones, but let's face it, their quality leaves a lot to be desired...

In our series on choosing the right audio support for your workplace, we bring you episode 2: the type of microphone! ! At first, you might be thinking that we are going to list the different physical forms of microphones. Well yes, but that's not all. We are going to go one step further and analyze the technical aspect of the topic ( the tip of the iceberg ). Are you interested? We let you discover it for yourself ↓

The microphone, a history of forms...

…and reach!

THE MICROPHONE, A HISTORY OF FORMS...

For us, the most logical thing is to start by determining the physical appearance of your future microphone. Portable, desktop or ceiling mounted, depending on their format, they are intended for very ( very ) different uses! We present the 5 types of star microphones in the professional world:

Portable

handheld microphone

Auricular

Desktop

ceiling

Portable: We are clearly targeting guided tours, one-person ( or female, for that matter ) shows and performances! Madonna's tie microphone, there is something for all tastes.

Compact, discreet and allow you to talk hands-free.

Relatively long donning time for the Madonna microphone / rubbing the microphone against clothing for the lavalier microphone ( this inevitably alters the quality of your voice )

Handheld microphone: it is the microphone that is used in all types of events, as it allows you to move freely and change speakers.

Practical: unlimited movement and ease of changing speakers ( the microphone is passed like a running baton )

Unequal sound capture between participants ( not everyone has the same voice range... )

Headphones: here we are referring to mobile professionals, those who spend the week on the road, in transport or who simply move between the office and home.

You can take it everywhere to make calls ( and even to listen to music or watch videos at the airport )

Comfort and mobility remain its drawbacks ( the microphone of the headphones depends above all on the model chosen )

Desktop: Individual ( gooseneck ) or collective ( speaker ), they are mainly used on the radio, on podiums or in fixed meeting rooms ( small and medium-sized ).

Optimal sound capture thanks to its proximity to the user or users.

They tend to pick up noises from the environment ( tapping on the table, pen, etc. )

Ceiling: Designed for large spaces ( conference, training or meeting rooms ), it is the type that best distributes sound.

Better sound coverage ( and better use of space )

In very large spaces, it is necessary to add several modules for optimal sound collection

…and range!

Have you found the microphone format that ticks all the boxes on your list? You only have to define how you want the microphone to capture the audio ( the famous directionality ). Don't worry, we have done our homework on the subject and we have a clear ( and brief ) explanation right here:

Microphone type	Definition and specifications
Omnidirectional	Capture sound coming from all directions! Thanks to its wide sound coverage ( 360° ), it is the ideal choice for spaces where several people work. Why choose it? Because everyone can be heard clearly, whether they are at the entrance or at the back of the room.
Directional	Bidirectional ( 180° ) or unidirectional ( 90-120° ), it concentrates all its energy in a specific area. It is especially appreciated in noisy environments as it reduces background noise and focuses on the main audio source - you!
Headquarters	It is the crème de la crème in terms of accuracy and intelligibility. Because? Simply because it uses several microphone elements to collect sound in different directions and form a sound beam.
noise cancellation	Although it is more of a sound technology than a type of microphone, we believe it has its place here, for the simple reason that it goes a long way towards improving audio quality. How do you get it? Eliminating background noise that usually disturbs conversations.