When it comes to speech recognition, the quality of your microphone is essential. In order to get the most accurate results, you need a mic that can capture all the nuances of your voice.
There are many different microphones on the market, so it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best microphones for speech recognition.
Our Top Picks:
- Nuance Powermic III 3
- Shure WH20XLR
- Koss CS100
- Philips SpeechMike Premium Air
- Sennheiser SD Pro 2
- Samson SAGOMIC Go
- Sound Tech GN-USB-2
What Is a Speech Recognition Microphone?
The first speech recognition microphone was developed by Bell Laboratories in 1952. It was called the Pattern Recognition Machine and it worked by converting speech into text. This allowed people to transcribe live conversations, meaning that they could transcribe telephone conversations without the need for human operators to listen in on them.
Speech recognition microphones are now a common way for people to communicate with computers and devices.
The ideal microphone for speech recognition has to be highly sensitive, able to capture the subtle nuances of human voice and have a large dynamic range.
When you are looking for the best mic for speech recognition, it is important to consider such factors as the dynamic range, sensitivity, and noise level.
Best Microphone for Speech Recognition Reviews
1. Nuance Powermic III 3 Speech Recognition
The Nuance PowerMic III is very popular in the workplace because it’s perfect for voice recognition software like Dragon Dictate which enables people to use their voices for writing and other tasks without having to switch between devices or get up from their desk.
Nuance POWERMIC III 3 is a speech recognition system that uses an unidirectional microphone with noise-cancellation to deliver consistent, high-quality results in noisy environments.
Powerful USB connectivity microphone with plug-in installation that eliminates the need for soundcard enabled PCs. It provides better performance, better noise cancellation and superior sound quality.
For those who work in fields such as education, health care, social work, and law enforcement, this is a great tool that reduces their workload as they can now focus on more important tasks.
2. Shure WH20XLR Dynamic Headset Microphone
This microphone provides great sound quality and is light enough to be worn comfortably without feeling like you’ll be weighed down. It’s also easy to set up and offers a range of features for the advanced user, including a detachable belt clip, and an elastic headband for ultimate comfort.
The WH20XLR is a high-quality professional dynamic headset microphone that can be used with any of your audio devices.
It comes with extra-strong, small-diameter attached microphone cable that resists breakage, so you can be sure that your mic will last for long even under strenuous conditions.
Delivers natural sound with smooth frequency response comparable to hand-held dynamic vocal microphones, perfect for recording vocals or other instruments in the studio or live onstage.
3. Koss CS100 Speech Recognition Computer Headset
A lot of people use their voice as a means of communication and many are concerned about the quality of professional sound. The Koss CS100 is a headset packed with features that ensure high-quality sound while keeping the cost low.
The Dynamic element delivers high sensitivity while reducing distortion for premium sound at all volume levels, making this headset ideal for any application from professional or personal listening needs, such as music or speech recognition software.
The Koss CS100 provides comfort and noise cancelling that allows you to work through any situation, even in noisy environments. The ear cushions also ensure that sounds are evenly distributed for maximum comfort and extended life of the product.
It has independent 3.5mm plugs for easy headphones and microphone connection, enabling you to do your work while listening to music, watching videos or even making phone calls on the go.
4. Philips SpeechMike Premium Air Wireless Dictation USB Microphone
This microphone is wirelessly designed but doesn’t use Bluetooth. It has “Lossless” technology that allows you to move around without interfering with the operation, which will give you a faster dictation into your software.
The nicely designed, easy-to-use control buttons will speed up the operation and workflow for doctors who use Dragon medical speech recognition software.
If you’re looking to push the button to do something different, personalizing it and configuring it can be a bit of a hassle. But don’t worry – putting the time in takes the perfect result!
One of its biggest assets is battery life. A full charge gives you 20 hours of use. To charge, just place it in the charging dock. The convenience is amazing with no cords between phone and dock required!
5. Sennheiser SD Pro 2
This headset is not specifically for speech recognition and does not have anything too unusual. It does have the features that a good speech recognition microphone needs and this makes it suitable for your office.
The Pro 2 has a lot of good features – it has great voice clarity, it includes noise cancelling, and the battery life is really long.
The Sennheiser SD Pro 2 is a headset with two connectors – one for desktop style telephone, the other for connecting to your computer through USB.
It’s design allows it to be wireless and easily connectable, while the noise cancelling microphone integrated into the boom provides great sound quality in noisy environments.
6. Samson SAGOMIC Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone
Samson’s SAGOMIC Go Mic is a portable USB condenser microphone that is highly-compatible with Mac and PC. It has a plug and play USB connection which makes it easy to use.
This mic is perfect for podcasts, recording audio, voice recognition software in small rooms, communicating with colleagues or friends in person, or recording voice memos and more.
The GO MIC is capable of capturing sound from a wide range of sources, with two main microphone pickup patterns: cardioid and omnidirectional.
The cardioid pattern picks up sounds from the front and back – giving the user the ability to capture sound from almost any direction. The omnidirectional pattern captures sound equally from all directions – including above, below, left, right, and in front of the microphone.
7. Sound Tech GN-USB-2
The Sound Tech GN-USB-2 is a computer microphone designed for professional voice communications, works with applications such as voice recognition software and dictation (for computers) in a hands-free way.
It features a permanently polarized condenser capsule with a fixed-charge back plate, which produces superior quality recordings in both live and studio.
Buying guide Mics for speech recognition
With the growing popularity of speech recognition software, there is a lot of new features available on microphones. In this guide, we will go through some of the latest micro-features that are worth considering when going for a microphone.
Factors to consider when buying a microphone for speech recognition:
1. Microphone type
There are three common types of microphones: dynamic, condenser and USB
- Dynamic microphones are mainly used for recording vocals. They have a cardioid pickup pattern and a cardioid polar pattern.
- Condenser mics are used by sound engineers and sound producers in recording studios and sound reinforcement systems. They also find their way into home studios as well as live music venues because of their versatility in recording environments.
- USB microphones can be connected to computers or laptops, but they are generally used by podcasters and gamers due to their affordability
2. Microphone sensitivity
Mic sensitivity is the easiest way to set up a microphone for speech recognition. You need to be able to take advantage of the microphone’s sensitivity so that it can recognize your voice commands even when you are being noisy.
Mic sensitivity is measured in dB SPL or dBV and ranges from 18dB SPL to 130dB SPL. The bigger the number on the mic, the more sensitive it is and better at recognizing your voice commands.
3. Mic Frequency Range
This is measured in Hz and goes from 20Hz to 20kHz
Mic Frequency Range is a feature that lets you choose how far the microphone can pick up sound. It affects how well the microphone will recognize your voice.
Microphones that have a wide frequency range are better and more expensive than those with a narrow range. This is because they are sensitive to signals from all over the spectrum.
FAQs
How do I improve my voice to text recognition?
If you want to improve your voice to text recognition, the first step is to get a good microphone. In addition, you should avoid recording in a noisy place and speak slowly. The most important thing is consistency.
What is the best software speech recognition?
A software speech recognition is a tool that can convert speech into text or vice versa. It works by using natural language processing and speech-to-text conversion.
Dragon Professional is one of the most widely used software speech recognition solutions available today. It has been around since the early 80s and has seen continuous development since then.
It’s also compatible with all major computer operating systems and it’s only available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese languages.
What is the best microphone for speech recognition Windows 10
The best choice is Samson SAGOMIC Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone
Conclusion
The best microphones for speech recognition are those that have a wide frequency response and a high signal-to-noise ratio. Look for a microphone that is sensitive enough to pick up the nuances of your voice, and has a low noise floor so that extraneous sounds are not picked up.
Make sure to test the microphone before you buy it to ensure that it is the right fit for your needs.
