Tech: Headset Mikes for Chatting?

Subject: Tech: Headset Mikes for Chatting?
From: Teresa
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 09:43 PM

Ok, they seem to be ubiquitous, but I'm not sure where to get them. I have a microphone, but it buzzeth horribly, so I'm going to throw it out. ... I want to try out Paltalk soon, so will gulp and take up a mike, even though I'm a bit skittish of talking. :)

Thanks,
Teresa

Subject: RE: Tech: Headset Mikes for Chatting?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 01:04 AM

No real experience with these, but I did note the recommendation in at least one of Mickey's KB articles on speech recognition software that the USB mics are much less susceptable to hums and buzzes. The USB type reportedly convert to digital in the microphone so that all the power supply and monitor hums and buzzes don't get picked up on the way to the machinery (at least that's what they said).

It shouldn't make a lot of difference if you get a reasonably good quality mic and a good (shielded) plug-in cord.

You might be able to reroute the cord, and/or maybe replace with a better shielded cord, to get rid of some of the buzz with the one you have?

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Headset Mikes for Chatting?
From: Teresa
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 11:05 AM

Thanks, John. Now, where can I get those mikes? Computer store? Online source? Any recommendations, anyone?

The mike I have just plain sucks. It was a cheapy plastic thing, and I'd like to get a boom one so that it'll be a constant distance from my mouth and I can use it while playing an instrument.

Thanks,
Teresa

Subject: RE: Tech: Headset Mikes for Chatting?
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 04:50 PM

I got a decent headset/mic combination (boom type) at CompUsa...works fine.

Subject: RE: Tech: Headset Mikes for Chatting?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 05:37 PM

I got 72,000+ hits when I put "headset microphone" in the IE address bar (MSN search). Both Office Depot and OfficeMax showed up on the first page, and CompUSA was there in the second 25 or so, if you're looking for a local source.

You might take a look at CNet Shopping, which came up on the first page. You can click on "check prices" for any that looks interesting and get a (usually long) list of places that sell that particular one. Sometimes the individual "seller sites" give pretty good specs, as well. (Not a recommendation for CNet, although they're well known. They just came up first. You'll find similar at ZDNet, or several others.)

You would likely get very similar results searching for "boom microphone," but it would include lots of stage-scale stuff along with desktop stuff.

I noted that several of the "hits" on that quick-search were for mobile/cell phone stuff, so a look at your local cell phone shop might find something you'd like. And there's always Radio Shack...

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Headset Mikes for Chatting?
From: Teresa
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 11:14 PM

Thanks, guys.   :)
Teresa