Why don't more people use throat mics? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#61

Post by hardwaresofton » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:13 PM UTC

baisq wrote: post #58

nend wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the most Hacker News comments every written. A dismissive comment about a diy home project because you'd rather be critical of someone else than build something yourself.

Quoted post unavailable.

OP here, I hundred percent agree -- it was definitely stupid and pointless.

Would do again :)

If I'm a real HNer I'll post an update in 3-6 months after I've wired bluetooth to this. (don't hold me to this)

[EDIT] - I'm not a real HNer, please don't expect that this will ever happen. No way I'll find time to hack up and wire bluetooth to this thing.

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#62

Post by alricb » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:14 PM UTC

The biggest use case of a throat microphone is to do an accurate version of "Ich liebst dich nicht du liebst mich nicht" part of "Da da da" by Trio (you also need a mini casio for the "tut-tut-tut tut-tut-tut-tut" beepy riff)

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#63

Post by Clubber » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:15 PM UTC

hardwaresofton wrote: post #61

baisq wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Quoted post unavailable.

OP here, I hundred percent agree -- it was definitely stupid and pointless. Would do again :) If I'm a real HNer I'll post an update in 3-6 months after I've wired bluetooth to this. (don't hold me to this) [EDIT] - I'm not a real HNer, please don't expect that this will ever happen. No way I'll find time to hack up and wire bluetooth to this thing.

Looking forward to the post when you get Doom to run on it. :)

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#64

Post by beardyw » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:15 PM UTC

I had one when I was a kid in the 60s from an army surplus store. I hooked it up to something somehow. Sound quality was appalling, but I guess that wasn't it's main goal. Thanks for the reminder.

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#65

Post by wongarsu » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:15 PM UTC

Anderkent wrote: post #24

Bayart wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The headphones thing is very much a matter of morphology and personal preference. I know for instance anything other than IEMs is intolerable over any significant period of time for myself.

And choice of headphone! Open versus closed headphones lie much different on your head; clamp strength and weight vary hugely as well. I'm on my third set of AKG k702s as the only headphones I can wear for hours; finding the right pair for anyone takes time.

Absolutely. I'm a fan of the SteelSeries Arctis 5, but the wireless version (Arctis 7) has too much clamp strength to be comfortable for me. Sony's WH-1000XM4 is a good wireless option on the go, but because it uses bluetooth it murders the quality of incoming audio if you use the mic.

It's a series of tradeoffs, and finding a headphone that is right for you and your situation is far from trivial.

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#66

Post by remram » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

antiterra wrote: post #26

beanjuice wrote: post #3

One of the most Hacker News articles ever written. A bad solution (wearing a choker) to a self-generated problem (using Arch) that costs a lot of money. In summary: this generates more problems than it solves (unless you're a navy seal).

It definitely reads as a personal project and not one claiming a superior solution (“People can hear me gulp”)

The TLDR says:

> Throat mics are an improvement over a standalone wired microphone

Seems like a claim to me!

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#67

Post by ramraj07 » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

nend wrote: post #54

beanjuice wrote: post #3

One of the most Hacker News articles ever written. A bad solution (wearing a choker) to a self-generated problem (using Arch) that costs a lot of money. In summary: this generates more problems than it solves (unless you're a navy seal).

One of the most Hacker News comments every written. A dismissive comment about a diy home project because you'd rather be critical of someone else than build something yourself.

This isn’t a Lego ad, no brownie points for just building random things. I mean build them if you want but don’t judge others because they don’t want to?

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#68

Post by micromacrofoot » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:16 PM UTC

I don't even like wearing turtlenecks and you want me to strap on something around my neck that is a cross between fetish wear and military cosplay? hard pass.

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#69

Post by roelschroeven » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:17 PM UTC

tristor wrote: post #6

I have a pretty serious audio setup for WFH. I assessed throat mics and bone conduction headphones and IEMs, I then ultimately decided against these options and instead went for a front-address microphone on a boom and open circumaural headphones. In my testing, all of these technologies intended for stealth (primarily) were uncomfortable for long periods of wear/use, and traditional options were massively more comfo…

For what it's worth I have bone conduction headphones (Aftershokz Aeropex) and I find them very comfortable to wear for long periods (a few hours at a time; I have never used them for a full day), more so than other types of headphones.

They don't cover my ears at all, so obviously they are only good in situations where I don't want to block out sounds from the environment. I tend to use them on a low volume, partly also because when I use them I don't want to block out other sounds, and partly because I don't like loud music most of the time. Within those parameters, I'm very happy with them.

YMMV

Re: Why don't more people use throat mics?

#70

Post by Brajeshwar » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 2:17 PM UTC

I thought this was a satire. It looks like this is not. I like the fact that the author loves experimentation and tried this setup.

I'm someone who still thinks Apple has not even solved the design of the AirPods/Pro. So, anything else that makes us like "Batman with a utility belt" is something I would find a more aesthetic alternative.

For most of the video call needs, I have tried boom/condenser and XLR microphones. Right now, an XLR is the best that stays away from my desk (mounted on an extended arm) while I continue to keep a desk Microphone as a backup. The last resort is the trusty Bose Quietcomfort 35-II.

While on the move, a wireless bud such as the AirPods would be OK.

I have been working remotely since the early 00s, and have used the early Jabra Bluetooth with phones, and now, if I can take back that flaunt, I would.

These days, I drive past busy social hangout areas or visit diners with the family; I see people wearing AirPods or AirPod-like knockoffs as an always-on ornamental addition even while not talking (on phone). My brain always cries in silence, "Batman."

I don't see this throat mic fitting in any sensible scenario, and from the article, the ROI of audio quality over anything else is not worth the roll-eyes that will you will gain from your audience. Nonetheless, I would love to try this with a walkie-talkie in the jungles when I'm working with the planters for the natural decarbonization projects I'm involved with.