Choose the right Mac microphone for speech recognition

#1 Macworld

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Posted 02 December 2011 - 08:41 AM

Post your comments for Choose the right Mac microphone for speech recognition here

#2 wediger

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Posted 02 December 2011 - 09:31 AM

I've had very good results with Dragon Express using the Chat50 conferencing microphone by ClearOne that I use for Skype-based tutoring. It sits behind my keyboard and slightly in front of my Cinema display on the base of an old plexiglass copy stand that I turned upside down so the base faces up. The Chat50 is attached to the base by a velcro strip; the angle of the base tilts the mic so it slants toward me. The noise-canceling circuitry of the Chat50 eliminates that problem and I'm able to move freely from side to side when needed. Working distance is about 18".

#3 RobertGSerafini

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Posted 02 December 2011 - 10:57 AM

After trying a few inexpensive desktop mics, I can recommend the Logitech USB Desktop Microphone, which costs less than $30. The inexpensive Radio Shack mike is NOT o good microphone.

Since I had a stroke about a year ago, my speech is somewhat slurred, though the combination of the Logitech and Dragon Express works wonderfully, better than even some of my friends. The mike does well from 12 to 30 inches.

#4 Lunis

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Posted 02 December 2011 - 10:59 AM

One of the perks of working at one of the world's largest speech recognition companies is that we often get to test and review microphones before they go public but more importantly, we get to keep our favorite! The SpeechWare 3-in-1 was a hands-down winner among every (pardon the pun) KnowBrainer employee and we recommend this microphone to anyone who works in a business or home-office environment.

Lunis Orcutt, CEO of KnowBrainer Inc. at www.KnowBrainer.com

#5 glj

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Posted 02 December 2011 - 03:27 PM

Kirk, thanks for the article.

Does anyone have recommendations re. Mac hardware (processor type, hard disk vs. SSD, amount of memory, etc.)?

Any recommendation of one Mac operating system over another, for speech recognition?

I use AppleScript's "listen for" command, and I might use software like Dragon Express some day.

Thanks.

#6 nonlinearmind3o8n

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Posted 02 December 2011 - 05:31 PM

The Revolabs xTag is a decent lanier/lapel wireless mic, though recently, I've been amazed by how well the Dragon Mic iphone app does. I just sit it down in front of my keyboard and speak. It works as well as the xTag but is free.

#7 kirkmc

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Posted 03 December 2011 - 04:43 AM

glj, on 02 December 2011 - 03:27 PM, said:

I've tested Dragon Dictate and Dragon Express on both a recent iMac, a MacBook Air, and a Mac mini. Even on the Air - the slowest of the three - there is no problem with the processor speed. However, these programs do each use about 400 MB RAM, so I'd strongly suggest that you have at least 4 GB, if not more, depending on how many other applications you work with at the same time as you dictate.

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#8 amoonson

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Posted 05 December 2011 - 06:44 AM

Dragon is offering a free app for the iPad2 . Any suggestions on using a microphone suitable for the iPad ?

#9 NVDucati

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Posted 05 December 2011 - 08:49 AM

For what's worth, I use a wired usb headset but I wear it around my neck with the mic sticking up in front of my mouth. For shorter sessions I just sit it between the keyboard and monitor. I also have a "profile" for each method.

#10 kirkmc

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Posted 05 December 2011 - 08:51 AM

NVDucati, on 05 December 2011 - 08:49 AM, said:

I've actually tried that, and it's not uncomfortable. I get tangled, though, when I do that. But I think it's certainly a valid way to wear a mic. I wish some manufacturer would make a mic that works in that position.

#11 dgeisen

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Posted 06 December 2011 - 05:06 PM

hi, Kirk,

Tried to send a message a few minutes ago, but I think it aborted. If not, sorry for the repetition.

I'm using Dragon Dictate with my iMac and my MacbookPro. I can't seem to get the wireless Platronics Calisto to install on my iMac, though it works fine on my MacbookPro. Any comments on installing and training these mikes on the various macs?

Also, I'm using Dragon Dictate on my MacbookPro using the internal mike on my computer. This seems to work well enough. Do you have any comments to make about using the computer's internal mike relative to strengths and weaknesses in comparison to other mikes?

Thanks for the information.

Don

#12 Bakari45r3wg

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Posted 07 December 2011 - 01:38 PM

I'm not sure if this has been asked already, but Kirk what is your take on the iPhone remote mic app for Dragon Dictate? I've used it a few times with the some great results. I typically increase font size of the document I'm dictating in so I can step back from computer and dictate while I walk around my office. However, I have experienced issues with it not paring with DD on my MacBook Air. The biggest drawback to the iPhone app though is that you have to of course hold the iPhone as you dictate.

#13 kirkmc

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Posted 07 December 2011 - 01:42 PM

Bakari45r3wg, on 07 December 2011 - 01:38 PM, said:

I don't have an iPhone, so I wasn't able to test it. I did try with my iPod touch and headphones with an inline mic, and it works pretty well in a pinch, but it's not ideal for long dictation sessions.

#14 Bakari45r3wg

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Posted 07 December 2011 - 01:44 PM

By the way, what I'm currently using with DD is a Blue Snowball external mic that sits on the top of my monitor. I find it annoying to wear a mic headset when I want to do quick dictation. But I don't think the Blue mic gives the accuracy I need for longer dictations.