In these bizarre times in our world, many of us find ourselves relying on our computers for communication. Like anything in technology, there are hurdles and difficulties. Either the camera is too dark, too bright, the connection is choppy, or the audio is fuzzy.
Here at MXL, we want to share information to help you improve your audio when working from home or just catching up with friends and family over a video conference.
Common issue/question:
Why does the microphone on my laptop or computer sound so bad and echoey?
At MXL, we often get customers looking for an upgrade in their web conferencing experience. We constantly hear things like “the sound is always so echoey” or “everyone sounds so far away.” We even had a customer ask, “Do computer manufacturers just not care about good audio?”
There are many reasons why users have these kinds of experiences, and we’ll try not to bore you with too many details. Typically the microphone in a computer is there to pick up audio; that is it. It’s a function and less about the quality of that function. This is similar to a steak from a sketchy roadside diner vs. the best cut of meat you have ever had from your favorite steak house.
In addition to microphone quality and steaks, the main issue with built-in microphones has to do with physics and something called Critical Distance. In a simplified form, Critical Distance is the distance at which the reflections and reverberations of a direct sound, equal or exceed the volume of the direct sound from the sound source.
Example: When you start to hear more of your voice bouncing off the walls in your office than direct sound, this is what can make it sound like someone is in a bathroom when they are on a web chat.
In a 10×10 room (bedroom or office), the critical distance of a sound to a source can be as short as 9.6″.
Unless you are sitting with your face pressed against your computer screen, you are likely more than 9.6″ from the microphone. Your computer microphone is going to be picking up as much if not more indirect sound (the echoey bathroom sound) than the direct sound.
How do we solve this? Get the microphone closer to you by using an external USB microphone.
The AC404 is a USB boundary microphone. A boundary microphone uses a flat surface to avoid acoustic issues and enhance the audio (this is an oversimplified explanation). Using an external microphone also allows you to place a microphone right in front of you instead of far away at the top of your laptop screen.
In addition to those benefits in a mic like the AC404, we are using high-quality capsules, components, and circuitry, all tuned for the human voice to enhance clear communication.
For all of these reasons, many people already use external microphones or headsets for web conferencing for work or just catching up.
The MXL AC404 is plug and play with pretty much any computer capable of running a video conference. Adding an external USB microphone to your workspace should be hassle-free, and you’ll impress everyone with your improved audio quality.
MXL offers a few versions of the AC404; the differences are primarily cosmetic. Here is some info about them below:
MXL AC404 – The base model AC404 mic
MXL AC404 White – The base model AC404 mic in white
MXL AC404 LED – LED version of the AC404. You can change the LED color with a dial under the base. Very cool for gaming.
MXL AC404Z – AC404 for Zoom applications, and it comes with a few accessories that integrators and installers prefer.
If you arent using one already, an external microphone can significantly improve the audio quality of your voice on web conferences, recordings, and presentations. Be sure to check out the AC404 and some of our other products.