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

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

#211

Post by ajolly » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:10 PM UTC

csee wrote: post #117

jaywalk wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've worn Shure SE215s for 4+ hours at a time countless times for professional broadcasts. I found them to be very comfortable, and actually do use them at home for conferencing. It's definitely a personal preference thing, although I'm sure the more expensive ones are even more comfortable.

How do these IEMs with their passive seal compare to active noise cancelling headphones for the purposes of unwanted noise attenuation

Combine them - I often wear earplugs plus a pair of bose nc700s. They have better noise canceling for your conditioner noise compared to my airpod Max's

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

#212

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:11 PM UTC

closewith wrote: post #87

Brajeshwar wrote: post #70

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 microphone…

> 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." Could they be listening to something?

[deleted]

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

#213

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:22 PM UTC

[deleted]

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

#214

Post by Grustaf » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:35 PM UTC

We used them in the army in the 90s, I guess one big advantage is that you can use them with a gas mask on.

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

#215

Post by majc2 » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:46 PM UTC

jasonpeacock wrote: post #197

For WFH, if you have your own space for working, then get a desktop conference speaker/mic, like the Plantronics Calisto 7200: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DCDKB2C (Jabra makes something similar). It has HW buttons for volume, answer, hangup, and mute - no hunting for the correct window to click a button. It has noise filtering, good mic, and decent speaker quality. I've had many compliments on the audio qu…

I agree the desktop conference speaker/mic setups are really good - not just for your own space - but also for huddling with others. I've been using the Poly Sync line and I'm really happy with there performance.

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

#216

Post by akira2501 » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:51 PM UTC

ARandumGuy wrote: post #31

I'm curious as to why the author even thought that a throat mic would have good audio quality. Throat mics are designed for loud, high intensity situations. For the use case of a throat mic, "good audio quality" means the receiver can actually understand what you're saying, something that is pretty easy to achieve in a home office environment. And I'm sure that it's possible to make a throat mic that has great audio…

I liked his "I don’t remember exactly when the thought first snuck into my head," comment, because I know exactly when the thought snuck into my head.

The very first time I watched the movie "Speed." I've wanted one ever since. Keanu Reeves made it look so "tacticool" it hurt.

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

#217

Post by happyopossum » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:52 PM UTC

Brajeshwar wrote: post #70

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 microphone…

> 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).

Uhhh, you are aware that talking on the phone is a very moonier use case for most folks these days, right? We listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, YouTube videos, etc - all on our headphones?

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

#218

Post by digitallyfree » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 5:54 PM UTC

aidenn0 wrote: post #196

digitallyfree wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Marketing has pushed a lot of Youtubers towards LDCs like the Blue Yeti, which are great in a studio setting but pick up lots of background noise. For some reason everyone considers the SM7B as the way around that (despite being overkill and overpriced for their applications), which is a broadcast dynamic. Dynamics can handle fan noise and busy streets no problem. There are less expensive handheld dynamics which are…

I think a big part is the looks. The SM58 is not visually distinct from a $10 mic for a karaoke machine. The integrated pop filter means you don't even get to have the "super professional" look of a pop filter a few inches in front of your LDC. I considered making a box that accepts inputs from dynamic mics, adds some warmth, and has a USB output, to make it easier to get the LDC sound from something like an SM58, bu…

There exactly is a product like that - the Behringer UV1. I'm guessing that they saw that streamers were buying the DBX 286 and an interface and decided to capitalize on that. Though to be honest all that processing could be done in software, even in OBS itself.

What I find sad is that Youtubers who aren't that popular are spending nearly a grand on a SM7B, a 286, a phantom preamp, and an interface for that "look". In reality, you could get similar sound with less than $200 (interface and handheld dynamic) and most viewers would not hear the difference.

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

#219

Post by nsxwolf » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 6:06 PM UTC

I'm sorry, what? What did I just hear? It was noisy, the volume kept changing, and I had trouble understanding it. Throat mic? Seriously?

Everyone at work sounds better than that. Everyone. Most people just use the built in mics in their MacBooks and it sounds fine. Worlds better than whatever I just heard.

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

#220

Post by clint » Thu, Jun 30, 2022, 6:11 PM UTC

Best headphones/mic combo I've used for running AND video meetings are the AfterShokz (now "Shokz") AeroPex/OpenRun. I've not tried the `OpenComm` but its probably also good too.

Bone conduction so there's nothing touching your ears, long ~8hr battery life, super duper light (26g).