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Updated Voice Tracker desktop array microphone
Submitted by Martin Markoe on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 13:20.
Yesterday we received a new shipment of Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker Array Microphones. Much to our delight, there have been two improvements to this convenient microphone.
The previous version used a nonstandard Line Level audio input. This meant you had to use a high-end music sound card or a USB Soundpod to work with a computer. The Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker now shipping will connect to a standard sound card's Mic Level input connector. These are just usually marked "Mic."
This newest model conveniently attaches to a wall or ceiling. Simply remove the weight from the base unit. There are four pre-drilled holes within for mounting.
Be advised, this convenient microphone is not going to give you the highest accuracy and noise canceling. On our website page for this item we specifically say, "If you need the best accuracy for Speech Recognition software, look at our headsets and handheld/desktop microphones." We do sell these to people with disabilities who have no choice but to use a desktop array. It is also popular for as a Conference microphone and command and control because it is so convenient.
CLICK HERE to see this microphone.
-- Martin Markoe, eMicrophones, Inc.
We Found the Voice Tracker to Be Unacceptable
Although we can appreciate the improvement, it sounds like the Voice
Tracker microphone elements are the same which, in our opinion, still makes it a
somewhat expensive substandard accuracy option. We stopped carrying the Voice
Tracker because we found it offered unacceptable accuracy, is overpriced at
nearly $300 and only has a range of 2 to 3 feet. We found other desktop
microphones, like the Samson
Q7 to be far more accurate, more noise canceling and significantly lower
priced. For about the price of the Voice Tracker, one can purchase a wireless
microphone with a 14 hour battery, vastly superior accuracy, 300 foot range and
vastly superior noise cancellation.
We initially only recommended the Voice Tracker for the physically disabled but
the performance was so dismal that we just couldn't justify the price and
pulled it from our site. The Samson Q7 can work reasonably well from up to 3
feet away and costs 1/4 of the price so when it comes to desktop/array
microphones it is our 1st recommendation. When it comes to a wireless solution
the Hybrid
Samson Airline 77 with a 14 hour battery is our 1st choice and also holds
the distinction of being the most accurate and noise canceling microphone we've
ever tested. You'll find additional recommendations on our Microphone
Comparison Matrix
Note that when you purchase Speech Recognition Microphones, Digital Recorders
and NaturallySpeaking software/utilities from Nuance Gold Licensed vendors you
typically gain you an extra layer of Nuance Certified tech support.
Lunis
Orcutt - Developer of KnowBrainer &
Host of the
Http://www.KnowBrainer.com Speech Recognition Forum
A Nuance Gold Certified Endorsed Dragon
NaturallySpeaking Vendor/Trainer
ALWAYS Ask If Your Speech Recognition Vendor Is
Nuance Certified
KnowBrainer wrote: We found
We found other desktop microphones, like the Samson Q7 to be far more accurate, more noise canceling
We made it pretty clear in our posting that it is not an optimal microphone for speech recognition. However, the Samson Q7, introduced by us, is actually best when used close to the mouth. Although you can use it at greater distances it does not have the wide angle coverage of the Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker (170°) that may be necessary for some people with severe disabilities.
eMicrophones also introduced the Samson Airline 77 to the speech recognition community, and agrees that it is one of our five best microphones for speech recognition. However, we rarely find it appropriate for people with severe disabilities since they either cannot put on a headset, the head rest on the wheel chair interferes or they cannot lay in bed with the headset on.
--
Martin Markoe, eMicrophones, Inc. The best microphones for Speech Recognition Read, "Key Steps to High Speech Reco
Accurate, balanced and fair presentation of products
This exchange between Martin (eMicrophones) and Lunis (KnowBrainer) led me to check the links they both provided and a couple of other sources.
In doing so I found a remark on the KnowBrainer sales page which I have some difficulty with. It's the marketting page for what Knowbrainer calles the "Hybrid Samson Airline 77".
Following the main description there's a paragraph in RED that tells us that KnowBrainer's Hybrid Samson Airline 77 is not like any other Samson Airline 77 sold elsewhere. I can live with this. But the final sentence categorically states: "Our competitors' Airline 77 units, unless otherwise specified, will not work for speech recognition." I find this a bit below the belt.
I notice, especially on 2nd reading, that the caveat "unless otherwise specified" probably legally keeps them out of trouble, but I feel that the statement is a rather heavy attempt to prevent clients from buying elsewhere by bending the truth a little far.
I notice, e.g., that eMicrophones, a supplier that is known to the community to be a top supplier of serious products, just as KnowBrainer is too, by the way, also sells a "Samson Airline 77".
I'd like to hear how the rest of community feels on this.
For my part I'd rather not see such broad condemnations of competitors' products. Readers to this site (and by extension to the links featured under S/R tips at right) deserve an accurate, balanced and fair presentation of products. I must say that normally exchanges, incl. especially between the protagonists of the two vendors involved here, are always correct. I think that their featured sites should also be. But I stand to be corrected...
Kind regards,
olaf-michael (a very long time SR user, installer, trainer, and macro developer in various languages)
The Term "Hybrid" Says it All
If you purchase the Samson Airline
77 from any one of several dozen music stores, it will not work for speech
recognition. There is nothing false about our marketing. The Airline 77
includes a ¼ plug on their unbalanced output cable that will not work on any
standard computer soundcard which has a 1/8 inch input jack. We also include
our step-by-step manual for setting up your mic with DNS and preset the volume
input gain and squelch. You could obviously do this yourself but we use the
term “Hybrid” to distinguish the fact that our units are delivered speech
recognition ready and even include virtual on-site DNS support at no extra
charge. We also pretest each unit before shipping which is a major time
consuming headache. Music vendors simply can’t offer that kind of service.
However, speech recognition and speech recognition microphone vendors like
emicrophones, speechsolutions and www.themicrophonestore.com
include these types of amenities along with support in various forms. Just last
week we received a call from a frustrated end-user who couldn’t figure out how
to get his new Airline 77 hooked up. When we asked for his name, he admitted he
purchased his Airline 77 elsewhere and was rudely calling us for free support.
We probably should have told him to call his vendor but we took pity on him and
sent him to RadioShack with a part number for an adapter.
You will note that we use the term “Hybrid” with a number of our microphones to
distinguish them from the competition. We started doing this because we
typically receive a call or 2 per week, even now, from customers who circumvent
us and purchase a Plantronics CS55, CS70N or Sennheiser BW 900 wireless mic
from another web vendor. However, none of these microphones will work for
speech recognition without a specialized PC Switch which we introduced with the
Plantronics line of microphones several years ago. Example: If you purchased a
CS70N from Staples or Hello Direct, it simply won’t work for speech
recognition.
Lunis
Orcutt - Developer of KnowBrainer
&
Owner of www.themicrophonestore.com
A Nuance Gold Certified Endorsed Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Vendor/Trainer
ALWAYS Ask If Your Speech Recognition Vendor Is
Nuance Certified
KnowBrainer wrote: You will
You will note that we use the term “Hybrid” with a number of our microphones to
distinguish them from the competition.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hybrid as:
"something (as a power plant, vehicle, or electronic circuit) that has two different types of components performing essentially the same function"
As you seem to be using the unrecognized "KnowBrainer Dictionary," are you able to explain the two or more "different" components or things you add that distinguish your "HYBRIDS" from other speech recognition vendors products performing the same function?
--
Martin Markoe, eMicrophones, Inc.
The best microphones for Speech Recognition
Read, "Key Steps to High Speech Recognition Accuracy
Personal Attacks are Unnecessary
I believe I have thoroughly and completely explained
why and how I use the term “Hybrid” in my previous posting. I was not aware of
your recent promotion to the dictionary police and apologize for my ignorance
but I don't believe I need to continually defend myself to you. We are both
guests on this forum and I politely ask that you honor our hosts request to
stop and desist with these types of personal attacks which have already caused
you to be banned from several major speech recognition forums. Perhaps you
should advertise as you see fit and leave us to do the same while you are still
permitted to post here.
Lunis
Orcutt - Developer of KnowBrainer
&
Owner of www.themicrophonestore.com
A Nuance Gold Certified Endorsed Dragon NaturallySpeaking Vendor/Trainer
KnowBrainer wrote:I have
I have thoroughly and completely explained why and how I use the term “Hybrid” in my previous posting. I was not aware of your recent promotion to the dictionary police and apologize for my ignorance
Your apology for ignorance is accepted. When you make your own definitions that do not fit "accepted" language standards, I point it out. This does not make me the dictionary police.
We are both guests on this forum and I politely ask that you honor our hosts request to stop and desist with these types of personal attacks which have already caused you to be banned from several major speech recognition forums
Pointing out your incorrect usage of standard language definitions is not a a personal attack. However, your pointing out my banning from two (look up several as it means 3 or more) forums is. Note, you are now up to KnowBrainer16, having been banned 16 times from the Nuance Dragon Forum.
First of all I was banned from your controlled forum for in your words:
"Surely you realize that you've been basically sponging off from our forum for years and none of my partners thought it was a good idea."
Your idea of sponging is open to interpretation. When you started your forum after Nuance's Dragon Forum banned you, you sold few if any microphones. However, through eMicrophones innovations in microphones for speech recognition, you repeatedly copied and added the products I discovered. I guess it was a no-brainer to do so. Then after I helped build your business you rudely said goodbye. You were not even man enough to call. Would you like a copy of the E-mail you sent with the above quote, headers and all?
The other forum that banned me is the one that is the supplier of your Dragon software. eMicrophones does not purchase from them. I suspect economic reasons/pressure for the banning.
--
Martin Markoe
Tired of it.
I'm closing this thread for pretty obvious reasons.
It would NOT be a good idea to start it up in another thread to continue your back and forth comments.
Would either of you want this on YOUR forums?