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Topic: ISO a better desktop PC mic (Read 3625 times) previous topic - next topic
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ISO a better desktop PC mic

Hey everyone ...I've just signed up
I have a question that I'm hoping someone can help me with.
I'm on PC running XPHome.
For a number of years now I've been teaching classes on the internet.
My original  desktop mic, (some 12 years ago) was unbeatable...if I was on the mic,
nobody could key up their mic and knock me off. Likewise, if someone else was on the mic, and I
keyed up my mic, I would immediately knock them off. This was the mic that came with the PC, back in
the 512 days . It doesn't look to me to be any better/different than the basic run of $10.00-$15.00
mics sold at Walmart etc. Years pass, various upgrades happen...mics wear out. My last two mics have not had this ability. I'd like to have that power back. Of course, as an administrator, I have plenty of control options...red-dotting, bouncing, etc. None of that would be necessary if I had that old mic back.
I'll tell you up front, I'm pretty illiterate with computers, so I figured I'd better ask those who know
Any ideas, anyone?  I look forward to hearing from you!
GMB
amergin@comcast.net

ISO a better desktop PC mic

Reply #1 –
That really sounds like a feature of the software you're running, rather than a feature of the mic.  I'm guessing something else changed along the way. 

You didn't mention what software you're using.  (I don't know anything about that kind of software, but someone else here might.)

P.S.
Isn't there technical support at your school?    An online course is kinda technology-dependant, so I assume there is staff to keep it all running?

ISO a better desktop PC mic

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
That really sounds like a feature of the software you're running, rather than a feature of the mic.  I'm guessing something else changed along the way. 

You didn't mention what software you're using.  (I don't know anything about that kind of software, but someone else here might.)

P.S.
Isn't there technical support at your school?    An online course is kinda technology-dependant, so I assume there is staff to keep it all running?
Hey Doug  it's good to hear from you ! I'm not teaching from a school, and so have no built-in tech support. Software features....never thought 'o that. I'm getting a couple of new monitors delivered some time this week....I'll ask my ( personal) tech what he thinks about that...maybe we'll come up with something.
Thanks Doug!
GMB
amergin@comcast.net

ISO a better desktop PC mic

Reply #3 –
I'm thinking it may simply have been a matter of levels or bass reproduction. Maybe that old mic had a good capsule (like the classic Panasonic WM-60/61) or even sported some directionality.

Oh, and microphone plugs and jacks are not all created equal either, so some combinations don't work. For microphones with ordinary electret capsules, these are the variants I know:

1. Mono plug (TS, tip-sleeve). Must receive power on signal line (tip).
2. Stereo plug (TRS, tip-ring-sleeve) à la Creative sound cards: Carries signal on tip and power on ring.
3. Stereo plug (TRS) à la MD recorders: A stereo version of 1, using the ring to carry a second channel.

These do not, generally, interoperate. While a microphone as per 3 will generally work in a jack for 1 and vice versa, variant 2 and the others do not mix. This results in the little preamp FET in the capsule not receiving any power, and resulting output levels and quality will probably be miserable.

ISO a better desktop PC mic

Reply #4 –
Quote from: stephan_g on
I'm thinking it may simply have been a matter of levels or bass reproduction. Maybe that old mic had a good capsule (like the classic Panasonic WM-60/61) or even sported some directionality.

Oh, and microphone plugs and jacks are not all created equal either, so some combinations don't work. For microphones with ordinary electret capsules, these are the variants I know:

1. Mono plug (TS, tip-sleeve). Must receive power on signal line (tip).
2. Stereo plug (TRS, tip-ring-sleeve) à la Creative sound cards: Carries signal on tip and power on ring.
3. Stereo plug (TRS) à la MD recorders: A stereo version of 1, using the ring to carry a second channel.

These do not, generally, interoperate. While a microphone as per 3 will generally work in a jack for 1 and vice versa, variant 2 and the others do not mix. This results in the little preamp FET in the capsule not receiving any power, and resulting output levels and quality will probably be miserable.
Thanks for your feedback, Stephan  This is some serious detail that I can present to my tech one day this week.
GMB  ( Rick )
amergin@comcast.net