How to choose between computer microphones

If you're looking for affordable computer microphones that provide an all-in-one solution for creating good web audio and speech recognition, I highly recommend headset-style microphones.

Listen to advice about choosing computer microphones by David Caban, the Web Audio Advisor

The idea behind any speech reproduction system (telephone, voice over IP, chat, radio, web audio) is to create the illusion that you the speaker are actually in the room sitting next to your listener. Modern headset-style computer microphones keep the microphone close to your mouth like a telephone, and do a great job reproducing your voice with high fidelity. Consequently, you will sound closer to your listener, as if you are sitting right next to him or her. Also, if you use the headset for speech recognition software, you will be easily understood by the necessary software.

In this page I offer some advice for choosing good, affordable computer microphones.

Three Recommendations for Choosing Computer Microphones

Your choice of microphone and how you use it can make you sound like you're sitting on the other side of a large room, or like you're sitting right next to your listener. Here are some general recommendations to guide you:

1. When making your selection, pay attention to the frequency response of the microphone, not the headphones. Look for a microphone response of 100 Hz to 8 kHz minimum.
2. Make sure the microphone is unidirectional (not omnidirectional).
3. If choosing a headset microphone, choose a stereo headset.

Desktop Computer Microphones

Desktop computer microphones, like the one that might have come with your computer, seem like a good first choice for capturing the sound of your voice. I agree that they are a good solution of you're doing internet chat, or perhaps even using a webcam and don't want to be tethered to your computer.

However, in the long run, desktop computer microphones are not a good choice for creating good voice audio, especially recorded messages. There are two main reasons why:

First, desktop computer microphones usually (but not always) contain an omni-directional microphone. This means they pickup sound in all directions. Therefore, in addition to capturing the sound of your voice, they also pick up the sounds of rustling papers in front of you, noises in another room, and barking dogs outside.

Second, it's just plain difficult to record good vocal audio from desktop microphones. Even if the microphone is unidirectional, you have to be close to the actual microphone element (close = within 4 to 6 inches) to minimize background noises. Since they are typically placed on a tabletop or desktop, you usually have to lean forward or hunch forward to talk into desktop computer microphones. This results in bad positioning of your body for good sound production, so your voice sounds weaker than normal. (I suppose you could hold the microphone up to your mouth with a free hand, but then you risk recording the "thump-thump" sound of the mic being handled.)

In my recommendation, if you are looking to sound professional, stay away from desktop computer microphones. They really do not do your voice any justice, especially for recorded audio. There are better solutions.

Analog Headset Microphones

Headset computer microphones come in two versions: Non-USB models and USB models. To help to make a clearer understanding between the two types, I'll call the non-USB model an "analog" headset.

All analog headset computer microphones consist of a wearable microphone which terminates into two 3.5 mm plugs. One plug is for the microphone, and one plug is for the headphones. You insert the plugs into the microphone and headphone jacks on your computer's sound card.

There are several advantages associated with headset computer microphones. First, you don't have to worry about consuming table space as you would with a desktop model. Second, no matter where you move your head, you will always be "on mic" and your voice will be picked up clearly. Third, a headset frees you up to gesture as you speak, or even stand up for better voice projection and voice quality. This flexibility really brings out the best qualities in your voice.

An analog microphone can also be used in other ways besides being connected to your computer. I use mine for both computer work and as a direct connect to my portable minidisc recorder. (I've recorded a lot of my web audio and audio ideas while sitting in my car at lunch!)

The microphone on almost every headset model is a unidirectional mic with noise cancelling features. Therefore, it will capture your voice very well and won't capture other sounds nearby that might be distracting to your listeners.

Analog headset microphones are made by companies such as Plantronics, Logitech, Altec Lansing and Labtec and others.

• Review more information about Plantronics headsets
• See how Plantronics compares against Logitech, Altec Lansing, and Labtec headset microphones

USB Headsets

The most convenient feature of a USB headset microphone is that you don't really need a sound card to record your audio! Instead of terminating in two plugs, a USB headset terminates in a single USB plug which you plug into an open USB jack on your computer. This makes the microphones great for both PCs and Macs.

USB microphones are usually headset models. In general, the microphone on a USB headset tends to be a unidirectional mic with noise cancelling as found on analog headset microphones. However, USB computer microphones tend to have a better frequency response and capture your voice more accurately than an analog model. They also feature "digital signal processing" which means that the convert your voice into a digital format before it enters the computer.

The only potential downside with a USB headset is that you can only use it with a computer that has a USB jack. This makes the headset less suitable for use with a portable minidisk recorder, though you could use it with a laptop computer.

USB headset microphones are made by companies such as Plantronics, Logitech, Altec Lansing and Labtec and others.

I've found that the Plantronics models have a mic response of 100 Hz - 10 kHz and come with special equalizing software for you computer that lets you further tweak the sound of your voice. There are also good models from Labtec and Logitech.

• Review more information about USB Plantronics headsets
• See how Plantronics USB headset mics compare against models from Labtec and Logitech

Computer Microphones Summary

For the best in affordable computer microphones look for a stereo headset microphone. Though desktop computer microphones are usually cheaper, desktop models tend to be poor at reproducing your voice very well. So choose a headset model instead.

Make sure the microphone you choose is unidirectional and has noise-cancelling features, and choose a model with a wide frequency response to best capture your voice range. If you can afford to, indulge in a USB heaset for the best sound quality. Your voice will really sound great!

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