[AG-TECH] MM100

[Jeff Ramacher]

This is an interesting problem that we've all had to deal with to some
degree.  Here are two things you should keep in mind (in my opinion):

(1) Determine exactly how you want to use the space and inject
    some usage rules - make it a point to orientate your users as
    often as it takes!  While most of us have designed our spaces to 
    accommodate audio pickup from any location, a room full of people
    all speaking at the same time is really difficult to pull off
    in most cases.  Besides, if you're in a session with several other
    nodes it can be distracting to the other sites.  Sometimes forcing
    audience members to get up and walk over to a single boom mic, or 
    passing around a wireless handheld can solve both problems (audio
    pickup and meeting management).

(2) The bottom line with microphones (any microphone) is proximity.
    The further away a mic is from an audio source the worse the audio
    sounds.  Sure, you CAN pick up audio from a distance, but it 
    usually ends up with the level of quality comparable to 
    an "fbi sting."  Combine distance with some low-talkers and you're 
    in real trouble.

We have a medium sized space and had initially considered ceiling
mounted mics.  We opted to install the Crown PCC-160 border mics instead
and they have worked out very well so far.  Each mic (6 in all) covers
about 1-1/2 to 2 people.  We pass around a wireless handheld to people
not sitting at the tables with the Crowns (they are given instructions
before meetings).  We use a lav for the presenter.

Hope that helps!
--
jeffr


Jimmy Miklavcic wrote:
> 
> Great, thanks for all the responses.
> 
> One other question. I have this 52 seat lecture hall where I'm basing our
> node. How do some of you deal with the sound of the projectors? The
> projectors are ceiling mounted just over the first row and the presentation
> console. My mics pick up this sound and fires it off to all of you on the
> grid. I figure a wireless for the speaker will work but for the audience I
> run into this noise problem. I'm not happy with the Crown Table top mic and
> the AKG C747 is a great directional mic but not sufficient for a room of
> 52.
> 
> I'm thinking about running several (4 - 6) AKG C747 type mics through out
> the ceiling to cover the entire room.
> 
> Any suggestions will be helpful.
> 
> Jimmy
> 
> --
> Jimmy Miklavcic
> Multimedia Specialist
> jhm at chpc.utah.edu
> 
> UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
> CTR FOR HIGH PERFORM COMPUTING
> 155 SOUTH 1452 EAST RM 405
> SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84112-0190
> 
> Office: 801.585.9335
>   Cell: 801.550.1529
>    Fax: 801.585.5366
> 
> http://www.chpc.utah.edu/~jhm
> http://www.anotherlanguage.org

--
Jeff Ramacher (jeffr at mhpcc.edu)                | (808) 879-5077, x264
Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC) | fax (808) 879-5018
                                               | http://www.mhpcc.edu