VoxCommando

Microphones and Speech Recognition in General => Tips for better speech accuracy => Topic started by: nime5ter on June 26, 2013, 07:38:34 AM

Title: Ignore your instincts. Start with low microphone input level.
Post by: nime5ter on June 26, 2013, 07:38:34 AM
I've been using VC on my laptop for a while now, usually using the built-in mic. For ordinary uses (like Skype) I've usually had to turn up my input levels to get people on the other end to hear me, but it's clear now that VC has different needs. It was picking up everything, and I was getting a lot of false positives.

James suggested that I try testing the levels by turning the input *way* down. I turned it down from 70 (already a lower input than I used to need) to 10 -- this has resulted in a *major* improvement in the accuracy level. So far, it's working perfectly -- understanding what it's supposed to and ignoring random utterances or background noise. (Granted, I live in a quiet home.)

If you're experiencing issues like this, I highly recommend trying this: start low, and increase if that doesn't work, rather than the other way around.
Title: Re: Ignore your instincts. Start with low microphone input level.
Post by: mdsh on July 22, 2013, 06:07:17 AM
 :bonk  wouldnt have thought of trying this :) thanks for this i will try ASAP!
Title: Re: Ignore your instincts. Start with low microphone input level.
Post by: Thordurin on July 24, 2013, 02:20:03 AM
I experimented with this process this evening and noticed a significant improvement in recognition. I'm using a CAD Audio U7 USB boundary microphone mounted to the ceiling, and this trick really helped. This time of year when the AC is cranked up the mic has a harder time recognizing commands, but with this trick it must help drown out the background noise from the air flow.

A+++ work James and nime5ter. Thanks!
Title: Re: Ignore your instincts. Start with low microphone input level.
Post by: mdsh on July 24, 2013, 06:02:21 AM
As above I can also say this little heads up has worked a treat even with my lower quality mic. Fantastic tips! Thanks