USB Mike ?

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 16 Feb 2006 9:49 pm

Any ideas about what sort of mike I should get for chat room use and skype ?
I use a mac.

thanks,

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Bob
upcoming gigs
My Website

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 17 Feb 2006 5:11 am

Bob, I use a cheap "LabTec" computer mic. It is available at Walmart. It's all you need for chat rooms and "messenger".
It is not "USB". It plugs into the mic jack on back of the computer.

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<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by John Daugherty on 17 February 2006 at 05:13 AM.]</p></FONT>

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 17 Feb 2006 5:56 am

Chat rooms aren't as critical, but for Skype or any other VoIP application, you should use a headset. Otherwise, you're likely to get echoes. Also, the folks on the other end of the call will notice a very hollow sound, similar to a speakerphone.

The worst sound quality combo for VoIP is a laptop with built-in speakers and mic. Slightly above that would be external speakers and a standard generic PC mic.

I'd strongly recommend you get a USB headset rather than one that plugs in to the sound card. Among other advantages, you won't lose use of your PC speaker(s). Logitech and Plantronics both make inexpensive USB headsets that are Skype certified and will offer vastly improved sound quality over separate speakers/mics.

The Skype store has several certified models for sale, as does Amazon.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 17 Feb 2006 1:29 pm

Thanks guys ! I'm headed to radio Shack.

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Bob
upcoming gigs
My Website

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 20 Feb 2006 9:09 am

I had a cheapo mike (Lebotone, or something like that) which connected to the "Audio In" jack. It worked okay, but the chat room's mike volume control wouldn't work with it. Wifey got me a better (Logitech) USB mike, and that works fine and sounds better too, according to listeners. A side benefit is a handy lighted "ON-OFF" switch on the stand. Cost about $30.