When selecting an AV system for space, it is crucial to invest in microphones, projection screen that complement the room, rather than amplify its negative qualities. Ideally, every employee in a conference room should be able to understand the person speaking, and also be intelligible when they speak. This is especially true when you are running a video conference in multiple time zones. Conference room microphones are coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny wireless marvels to large tabletop systems. Every microphone and smart touch is designed for a specific application, so we recommend consulting with an audio expert before investing in a system for your space.
- Directional Microphones
This popular microphone style is designed to pick up sound from the front while rejecting sound from the rear. Also known as cardioid, this is an ideal mic for rooms with unflattering acoustics because it focuses on picking up the speaker’s voice.
- Omnidirectional Microphones
True to its name, an omnidirectional microphone captures sound in a 360-degree fashion. For those working in a small room with ideal acoustics, this microphone type could be a great fit. It can capture multiple employees at the same time, and can easily be repositioned for different conference scenarios.
- Gooseneck
the gooseneck is designed for close-up speech and ideal for use cases such as panels, lecture podiums, or boardrooms. When a person isn’t talking, it’s easy to mute the mic so that it doesn’t detract from the current speaker. Goosenecks provided optimal speech pickup due to the closeness to the person speaking.
- Handheld
Designed to move freely around a room, handheld microphones offer tremendous flexibility in a lecture setting. Typically, these mics are found on a concert stage or auditorium, but they also work well in large conference rooms. For example, if there are multiple people involved in a sales presentation, you can use a handheld mic to move quickly between speakers.
- Wearable
Dynamic presentations require a lightweight microphone solution, and a wearable mic offers just that. Perfect for lecture halls, training rooms, and multi-purpose rooms, these microphones are highly versatile and convenient. By adding a headset connector, conference speakers can also have a two-way conversation on a video chat platform, which expands the mic’s possibilities even further.
- Tabletop
Tabletop microphones are available in both directional and Omni-directional microphone patterns. Whether fixed to a table or wireless to provide flexibility, tabletop microphones can be a great choice for small to large conference rooms. When choosing tabletop microphones, we always recommend having one microphone per two-three people.
- Auditoriums & Lecture halls
Conference microphone systems are just as powerful in a lecture hall or training room, where the instructor’s voice needs to cut through space and impact listeners. It is depending on the presenter’s preferences, which are recommended a gooseneck microphone for a podium or a wireless wearable microphone to allow for movement around the room. If audience participation needs to be captured, handheld microphones could be placed for questions and comments.