Mic Level or Line Level output?

[Vangelis]

Just been looking as some microphones for my VC project and found the Crown PZM-11(LL). There are two versions, one with Mic-Level output and the other with Line-Level output. This Mic will be directly connected to the PC, and I am not sure which I need?

Any help?

Vangelis

[Kalle]

If you use the line version, you can connect it to the line input on your PC soundcard.

http://www.audiopro.de/live/cgi-bin/download.php?filepath=/media/crown/crown_pzm11ll_englisch.pdf

[Vangelis]

Thanks Kalle...

A little more digging around and I guess my question is, which is preferable? Should I let the soundcard do the pre-amp (mic-level) or the Mic itself (line-level).

As I am running an Intel NUC platform, does anyone know of a good USB soundcard with Line-Level input?? Amazon has loads but I am conscious of the quality required for Mic input...

Vangelis

[Kalle]

It depends on which hardware do you have. If you plan to buy a proffesional usb soundcard (I use a Lexicon Omega) which has XLR and also 6,5 mm jack as mic input (you can use phantom power from the soundcard with the XLR jack) so you need no extra power for PMZ 11 mic.
You found many extern soundcards in a musican store.
All this parts are very expensive and I'm not sure it will work in your project (don't forget a boundarry mic pick the sound all the time)

[Vangelis]

I can use 'Prefix Mode' to resolve the issue of using a boundary Mic. My setup is for audio only at the moment - VC controlled iTunes (see iTunes section for other issues I am having  ) I just want to make the right choice of Mic (pre-amp etc) from the start.

Vangelis

[Kalle]

I think (hope) this text show you the right way.
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/linelevel.shtml

[jitterjames]

I'll add my opinions to the mix.

I think the best choice would be a microphone that uses USB already.  If that is not an option (maybe you want to be able to use the microphone in other applications) then a line level would probably be preferable, assuming a good quality microphone, because you are less likely to have noise issues and you probably won't even need to add an extra usb sound card, assuming your pc accepts a line level input.  Most do I think, but I don't know specifically about the NUC.

[jitterjames]

Also, I would not be too confident that you will be able to rely on prefix mode alone when playing audio and movies with a very sensitive omni directional microphone.  It will probably not be reliable enough, and you will need to consider some kind of push to speak solution.

[jitterjames]

... does anyone know of a good USB soundcard with Line-Level input?? Amazon has loads but I am conscious of the quality required for Mic input...

http://shop.andreaelectronics.com/usb-audio/

I am sure there are cheaper options out there but I have heard good things about this one, especially from speech recognition forums.

[Vangelis]

Thanks for all the info guys  The Intel NUC platform is small form-factor (4inch square motherboard), but it only has USB and HDMI so I need an external USB soundcard.

I know I am probably trying to achieve the holy-grail of voice recognition by having an active Mic in Listen Mode all the time, however my wife will challenge me on the fact that if the system also required PTT, then she could just use her iPhone and Airplay, as it involves interaction with a 3rd party device (iPhone, Amulet etc) to play music as opposed to just speaking...

Maybe I am over-thinking the Mic thing as I have been playing with a decent (Podcast quality) USB Mic, however it does go a bit 'deaf' in excess of 3 meters in a quiet room. I just didn;t want to invest time and effort in getting the wrong kit, when I should of started with a high-quality Boundary Mic with Line-Level output running into a decent USB sound card (for example)

Vangelis

[jitterjames]

If you can find a decent boundary mic that already has a usb sound card built in, that is the route I would go.  But I would still recommend if you are putting down a chunk of change on this, that you buy it from a place where you have the option of returning it.  Once you get a microphone that picks up everything even at a great distance, I think you'll find your prefix mode is not enough.  It is worth a try, but only if you can get your money back.

For what it's worth, pressing a single button and then speaking, is still siginificantly easier to get the music you want immediately, than pulling out a phone, waking it up, launching an app, browsing your library to find what you want etc.

[Vangelis]

Your other half must be more understanding of these things - I feel like I am being Project Managed on this one 

I might investigate your suggested sound card with Beam-Focused Mic and let you know how I get on..

Thanks for all the help...

Vangelis

[jitterjames]

We both use the amulet remote most of the time, and sometimes VoxWav.  We don't have iphones.

I think the amulet is great.  You just pick it up (wait 1 second) and speak.  I don't see what is so difficult about it.  It is much less annoying that having to shout and having VC either not hear you, or have it triggering false positives.

Anyway you should just let your wife do it the way she wants.  You should be able to support both methods simultaneously.

[aussie mate]

I know this is a old post but I though I would add my 2 cents worth.

IMHO - what type of microphone you install depends on what you are wanting to achieve.

if you want an open air type setup - that is being able to walk into a room (or 2) in the house - to be able to speak out loud and for VC to respond then using a boundary microphone(s) is the best way to go.
In this type of setup I would also recommend the Crown PZM or MPC 22 (both require phantom power).
I would also highly recommend the use of a good mixer with auto mic gating.
You can pick up this type of equipment on ebay sometimes very cheap.

once you get it setup - they will out perform a setup of multiple USB connected mic.

However - that said I have heard of some people using kinect microphones with some success but how it works with multiple kinects I am not sure.  You may have issues if multiple users in different rooms try to speak at the same time.

[nime5ter]

Thanks for this input, Aussie Mate.

Sounds like you could provide some helpful additions to our microphone comparison chart if you're willing: http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Microphones#Microphone_Comparison_Matrix

Anyone can add their reviews to the spreadsheet.