Tips for choosing a suitable microphone
To optimise Dragon's recognition accuracy and speed, it is important to use a high-quality noise-cancelling microphone.
Dragon's level of recognition accuracy is dependent on the quality of the sound signal from the microphone. Using a poor quality microphone can let the whole show down, and is a common cause of poor recognition accuracy particularly if using Dragon in a noisy environment.
Click here for a list of microphones recommended and tested by Viva Voce.
Dragon's level of recognition accuracy is dependent on the quality of the sound signal from the microphone. Using a poor quality microphone can let the whole show down, and is a common cause of poor recognition accuracy particularly if using Dragon in a noisy environment.
Click here for a list of microphones recommended and tested by Viva Voce.
Options
There are choices to be made about:
- corded or wireless (corded mics have the edge over wireless in terms of performance with Dragon);
- monaural or binaural (ie one earpiece or two);
- a mic that will work with computer/Dragon only, or with business-type desktop phone as well as Dragon (note that if you have a VOIP phone you will need a computer mic only);
- wearing style (eg over the head, ear-hook or ) - we recommend over-the-head wearing style for optimal positioning of the mouthpiece boom;
- portability - if you need to transport your mic, best to avoid large base-stations.
Noise-cancelling
Any computer mic will work with Dragon. The question is how well will it work. There is a wide range of quality, and to get a high level of recognition accuracy with Dragon you will need to use a high-quality microphone.
A word of caution regarding noise cancelling properties....
Many microphones claim to be noise-cancelling, and some claim to have 'active' noise-cancelling properties, but just how good a microphone is at cancelling out background noise is a matter of degree. Not all noise-cancelling microphones will perform equally well at cancelling out background noise.
A word of caution regarding noise cancelling properties....
Many microphones claim to be noise-cancelling, and some claim to have 'active' noise-cancelling properties, but just how good a microphone is at cancelling out background noise is a matter of degree. Not all noise-cancelling microphones will perform equally well at cancelling out background noise.
How to tell which mic has the best noise cancelling properties?
You might have an opportunity to test the mic yourself using Dragon in a noisy environment. If not, best to buy a microphone that has been recommended by someone who has tested it. Ask the retailer for test results. Ideally the mic will have been tested in a noisy and not just a quiet environment. Be aware that many mics will perform well in a quiet environment but not necessarily in a noisy environment.
How to test a microphone with Dragon
Corded or wireless?
We generally recommend corded rather than wireless microphones for affordability, recognition accuracy, speed and reliability.
The only reason to chose a wireless microphone would be because it is wireless. That is, you might prefer the convenience of not having a cord. Wireless mics are also useful for anyone who has difficulty putting the mic on and off, as once it is on you can leave your desk without having to take the mic off.
Using a wireless microphone will not offer any advantage in terms of performance, and will probably not perform quite as well as a corded mic in terms of speed and reliability. This does not mean that all corded mics will perform better than all wireless mics, but that a high-quality corded mic will perform better than most wireless mics.
Having said that, if you are keen to use a wireless microphone because of the convenience, some high quality wireless mics are available with performance levels that are very close to those of the highest quality corded mics.
Generally speaking, a wireless mic with a basestation will perform better than one with a dongle, and one with a dongle will perform better than a mic that connects to the computer via bluetooth. I say generally speaking, because this is not always the case as other performance dimensions of the mic will also impact on performance.
The only reason to chose a wireless microphone would be because it is wireless. That is, you might prefer the convenience of not having a cord. Wireless mics are also useful for anyone who has difficulty putting the mic on and off, as once it is on you can leave your desk without having to take the mic off.
Using a wireless microphone will not offer any advantage in terms of performance, and will probably not perform quite as well as a corded mic in terms of speed and reliability. This does not mean that all corded mics will perform better than all wireless mics, but that a high-quality corded mic will perform better than most wireless mics.
Having said that, if you are keen to use a wireless microphone because of the convenience, some high quality wireless mics are available with performance levels that are very close to those of the highest quality corded mics.
Generally speaking, a wireless mic with a basestation will perform better than one with a dongle, and one with a dongle will perform better than a mic that connects to the computer via bluetooth. I say generally speaking, because this is not always the case as other performance dimensions of the mic will also impact on performance.
Wearing style
Over-the-head wearing style is recommended for optimal postioning of the mouth piece boom at the corner of the mouth.
Some mics are available in ear-hook style but be aware that you might experience a reduction in recognition accuracy if it is not possible to position the boom at the corner of your mouth. When wearing a mic ear-hook style the boom tends to drop below the mouth towards the chin, which is not ideal.
Some mics come with more than one wearing style option.
Some mics are available in ear-hook style but be aware that you might experience a reduction in recognition accuracy if it is not possible to position the boom at the corner of your mouth. When wearing a mic ear-hook style the boom tends to drop below the mouth towards the chin, which is not ideal.
Some mics come with more than one wearing style option.
Monaural or binaural?
Monaural means one earpiece, binaural maeans two.
Most people prefer a monaural headset so they can hear themselves dictating and what is going on around them in the office, and have an ear free for speaking to colleagues and answering the phone when required. If you have a monaural mic you will probably need to take it off less often, as one ear will be free when you need it.
Some like a binaural headset to block out some of the background noise. However it is important to be aware that although a binaural headset will reduce the amount of background noise you hear, it won't reduce the noise that Dragon hears, because that is all about the noise-cancelling properties of the microphone, not the earphones.
Sometimes there is confusion between a noise-cancelling microphone, and noise-cancelling earphones/headphones. For Dragon's performance, it is all about the noise-cancelling properties of the microphone not the earphones.
Unfortunately it is not possible to find a headset that has the high-level noise-cancelling properties in the microphone that Dragon needs in order to produce a high level of recognition accuracy, as well as noise-cancelling earphones.
Headsets with noise-cancelling earphones tend to be rather heavy, and can be uncomfortable if wearing for long periods of time.
Most people prefer a monaural headset so they can hear themselves dictating and what is going on around them in the office, and have an ear free for speaking to colleagues and answering the phone when required. If you have a monaural mic you will probably need to take it off less often, as one ear will be free when you need it.
Some like a binaural headset to block out some of the background noise. However it is important to be aware that although a binaural headset will reduce the amount of background noise you hear, it won't reduce the noise that Dragon hears, because that is all about the noise-cancelling properties of the microphone, not the earphones.
Sometimes there is confusion between a noise-cancelling microphone, and noise-cancelling earphones/headphones. For Dragon's performance, it is all about the noise-cancelling properties of the microphone not the earphones.
Unfortunately it is not possible to find a headset that has the high-level noise-cancelling properties in the microphone that Dragon needs in order to produce a high level of recognition accuracy, as well as noise-cancelling earphones.
Headsets with noise-cancelling earphones tend to be rather heavy, and can be uncomfortable if wearing for long periods of time.
Monaural headset
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Binaural headset
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Comfort
Avoid heavy gaming mics (such as the one in the image above, on the right), which can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Portability
If you need to transport your mic or you work in a hot-desking environment and need to move your computer and mic around the office, you will be looking for a mic that is portable and does not require a basestation.
The corded Andrea NC181 USB headset would be a good choice for portability.
The Plantronics Savi 440 is a portable wireless option. It uses a dongle rather than a basestation [no longer available - we are searching for a replacement]
The corded Andrea NC181 USB headset would be a good choice for portability.
The Plantronics Savi 440 is a portable wireless option. It uses a dongle rather than a basestation [no longer available - we are searching for a replacement]
Microphones that will work with Computer/Dragon and business-type desktop phones
Mics that work with Dragon as well as business-type desktop phones (sometimes referred to as dual mics) tend to be more expensive than a straight computer mic.They provide the convenience of one headset for the two functions.
There are three options:
Each of these mics have a basestation with buttons to press, to switch between computer/dragon function, and phone function.
None of these mics are very portable. They all have largish basestations.
Note that it is not possible to have the mic open to both Dragon and desktop phone at the same time.
There are three options:
- Polaris SoundShield 4G (corded)
- Polaris HD Wireless (wireless)
- Senheiser DW Pro 1 (wireless)
Each of these mics have a basestation with buttons to press, to switch between computer/dragon function, and phone function.
None of these mics are very portable. They all have largish basestations.
Note that it is not possible to have the mic open to both Dragon and desktop phone at the same time.
Using a headset with both Dragon and VOIP phone
If using a VOIP phone, any computer mic will be suitable. If using Dragon as well, we suggest you choose between the range of mics tested and recommended by Viva Voce : the corded Andrea NC181 USB; or the wireless Plantronics Savi 440 would be suitable. Another wireless option would be the Polaris HD Wireless which will also work with a business-type desktop phone but if you have a VOIP phone, that feature would be redundant. The Plantronics Savi 440 is a good wireless choice if you need a portable mic as the HD Wireless has a largish basestation.
Keep in mind that Dragon is more demanding of a high-quality microphone than is required for telephone use. This is because when using the telephone there is a person listening. People are better than Dragon at interpreting speech when the sound quality is not high.
Keep in mind that Dragon is more demanding of a high-quality microphone than is required for telephone use. This is because when using the telephone there is a person listening. People are better than Dragon at interpreting speech when the sound quality is not high.
Taking care of your microphone
Brands
Over many years of experience with Dragon we have come to know the microphone brands that tend to work well, and those that don't.
The brands listed below produce some top quality noise-cancelling mics that work well with Dragon. However we cannot guarantee that every model produced by a particular brand will be suitable for use with Dragon.
- Polaris produce two mics which work well with Dragon, the Polaris SoundShield 4G (corded) and the Polaris HD Wireless. These are an excellent choice if you need a mic that will work with both Dragon/computer and with a physical, business-type desktop phone.
- Andrea - the Andrea NC181 USB headset mic (over the head) is an afforable and portable choice for a corded mic, with monaural and binaural options.
- Plantronics - the Plantonics Savi 440 is a wireless mic with a dongle. A good choice if you need a wireless mic that is portable. [no longer available - we are searching for a replacement]
- Sennheiser - the Sennheiser DW1 Pro
Best to avoid:
- Logitech
- Jabra (the noise-cancelling properties of some Jabra mics are not adequate for use with Dragon in noisy environments)
- The VXI TalkPro series is best avoided on comfort grounds. Although the mic is high-quality, the headband has a fatal design flaw in our view as there is a sharp, hard plastic edge on the headband which can, depending on the shape of one's head, press on the skull and cause discomfort.
For more information on microphones suitable for use with Dragon