Whats a good microphone for my situation?

[alexsabree]

Hello,
I have a very annoying issue that I really don't know how to fix. I have a very cheap Logitech desktop microphone along with a nice Creative Xfi sound card. Whenever I talk over the internet whomever I'm talking to can hear themselves talk because I'm using speakers. I don't have much desktop space therefor the desktop mic is very close to the speakers.

I don't mind buying a better mic, but I'm not so sure that will do anything. I was considering buying a microphone that clipped onto my shirt, but I'm having a hard time finding one that is going to sound decent.

I'd say by budget is around $100.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello,
I have a very annoying issue that I really don't know how to fix. I have a very cheap Logitech desktop microphone along with a nice Creative Xfi sound card. Whenever I talk over the internet whomever I'm talking to can hear themselves talk because I'm using speakers. I don't have much desktop space therefor the desktop mic is very close to the speakers.

I don't mind buying a better mic, but I'm not so sure that will do anything. I was considering buying a microphone that clipped onto my shirt, but I'm having a hard time finding one that is going to sound decent.

I'd say by budget is around $100.

There is no fix for that problem, except to use headphones instead of speakers. Any decent microphone will pick up speakers at that range, even if you use an expensive hyper cardioid microphone.

One thing you could do is have a muting switch to the microphone, so your microphone is only active while you press a button. You could get a momentary switch from Radio Sack that would do the job. This is standard practice for recording session, and I built a mic preamp for my lavalier microphone that was only active, when I kept my finger on the button. I built this into my control desk to communicate with the conductor, when I used to do location recording.

 

[lsiberian]

Hello,
I have a very annoying issue that I really don't know how to fix. I have a very cheap Logitech desktop microphone along with a nice Creative Xfi sound card. Whenever I talk over the internet whomever I'm talking to can hear themselves talk because I'm using speakers. I don't have much desktop space therefor the desktop mic is very close to the speakers.

I don't mind buying a better mic, but I'm not so sure that will do anything. I was considering buying a microphone that clipped onto my shirt, but I'm having a hard time finding one that is going to sound decent.

I'd say by budget is around $100.

Well you might do better with a directional MIC, but I think TLS guy has the real solution.

Headphones are your best bet as difficult as that might be.

 

[alexsabree]

Well you might do better with a directional MIC, but I think TLS guy has the real solution.

Headphones are your best bet as difficult as that might be.

Oh well, looks like I'll just have to keep switching between speakers/headphones. Not really that big of an issue, but its quite annoying.

 

[lsiberian]

Oh well, looks like I'll just have to keep switching between speakers/headphones. Not really that big of an issue, but its quite annoying.

Honestly it's easier to get good headphones than good speakers.

I know for my computer stuff I use Etyomics Research headphones and they sound way better than any speaker I've ever heard. Plus I can't hear anyone else. You might also look at the sony studio headphones. Those are damn good too.

Another possibility is to make sure the mic isn't in the path of your speakers.

If you observe a live setup I think you can get some really good ideas.
I think the idea that it's impossible is not entirely true since many live performances have addressed this issue numerous times.

 

[TLS Guy]

Honestly it's easier to get good headphones than good speakers.

I know for my computer stuff I use Etyomics Research headphones and they sound way better than any speaker I've ever heard. Plus I can't hear anyone else. You might also look at the sony studio headphones. Those are damn good too.

Another possibility is to make sure the mic isn't in the path of your speakers.

If you observe a live setup I think you can get some really good ideas.
I think the idea that it's impossible is not entirely true since many live performances have addressed this issue numerous times.

I would say that to have an open mike in front of live speakers on a computer desk, and not have a distant party hear themselves from the open mike, is impossible without sophisticated digital canceling techniques. It is certainly impossible with mike selection and placement alone.