Selecting a Microphone and Headset

Here's my war story or another one of Marlo's Minefields - Microphones.

You can read all the background below or just go to the next column to the right to see my recommendation.

To my embarrassment, I recently discovered that my battery amplified lapel microphone (mic) will not work with my new HP laptop. To make matters worse, HP support informed me that using a battery boost microphone could actually damage the microphone input circuit in the laptop. Yes - that was scary to find out since I had already tried that with my little battery mic BEFORE I called support.

I fear that I have sent you all on a wild goose chase looking for a lapel microphone that I now know will probably not work with your new laptop.

Consequentially, for the past four days I've been on a conquest to find a "good" or acceptable microphone to use with my new HP laptop so that I can record some narration for slide shows and our new DVD demo soon to be released.

I have contacted HP support on four different occasions and talked with their support technician from the basic tech (typing chat and 11:00 PM) to the second and third level tech support staff. HP have been very helpful and I really appreciated their support. They even called me back to try help with my newly discovered problem / disappointment with microphone recording quality.

I have also spent several hours out on the internet searching for microphone evaluations. I found the best information on the Dragon Naturally Speaking site. I've also spent an hour with my local business consultant at CompUSA who is a sound recording expert.

I've taken the time to drive to OfficeMax, Office Depot, Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Circuit City to evaluate the microphone they have on display and to talk to sales staff for recommendations.

Unfortunately, I had to return two of the headset / microphone systems because they actually had worse quality than the little cheapie mics I borrowed from my children that worked reasonable well except for the static and slight hiss.

I found my answer on the internet after calling a company in Kansas that distributes a new GE microphone / headset. Don't let the GE name put you off since GE does not have a name in the sound / audio world.

The distributor was kind enough to answer my e-mail me informing me that my local Target carried the headphone / microphone I was going to evaluate next. Yes, you wouldn't think Target would be a place to find a quality microphone - you will be surprised.

The Good News !

This headset / microphone system is absolutely awesome! The headphones and microphone exceeded my expectations in a very big way.

The best part is the price $19.95 !

The microphone records with very little distortion and it's very sensitive like a good mic should be. In the past I've almost had to yell or talk very loud when recording. Not with this mic! I only mic volume up halfway and that was plenty sufficient for loudness when recording.

The mic has an accessory stand and plenty of cable. No, it doesn't stand very high but it will be perfect for a laptop. I really like that the mic can be detached from the headphone and also directly plugged into the laptop or into an extension cable so it could still be used as a lapel mic using a little clip or putting it through a buttonhole.

The headphones are comfortable and have a very good bass response which is another unexpected surprise.

This find is one of those rare times when small price tag and outstanding quality is my reward for all the time I've spent walking though yet another minefield.

Note: This is a great mic and headphone system. However, as is my lot in life, mine had a problem you should check for since it appears to be a minor design issue. Plug the mic into the little stand and then into your computer and wiggle the cord near where it goes into the little black stand. If you get static you have a problem (defective wire).

Mine had a short. No big deal for me since I know how to use a soldering iron. I didn't want to take it back to Target because everyone followed my advice and rushed out and bought all of the stock.

It now works.Took about 15 minutes to fix. If you have a similar problem, I can tell you how to fix it especially if you live up in Wyoming!