Microphones
A microphone is a device which convert sound energy to electrical energy. With advancement of sound technology, the microphones are developed for various applications e.g Gooseneck mic for podium, lapel mic for single speaker, etc
Most common Microphone used in corporate world are
Gooseneck Mic
Gooseneck microphones provide a single direction pickup pattern and can be an excellent choice for picking up individual voices. Popularly used on podiums, tables and floor stands.
Boundary layer Mic
These mics have omnidirectional pickup pattern. Popularly used on conference tables it caters up to three person sitting in line depending on make, model and room acoustic conditions.
Lavalier/ Lapel Mic
A lapel microphone is a very handy tool for those speaking in public. It attaches to clothing and takes the place of a more static-position microphone. The small mic can amplify a voice and ensure quality communication with very little extra equipment. By its very nature, a lapel microphone is quite small.
Hand Held Mic
Handheld microphones are designed to be held in the hand, it pick up sound directly from the mouth and picks up less background noise.
Wireless Mics
Gooseneck Mic, Boundary layer mic, Lapel mic and Handheld mic are available as wireless mics. They have transmitter either built in or attached to it and a receiver usually kept near Amplifier to transmit audio signal. This eliminate the need of wiring from amplifier to Mic thus speaker can freely move or mic can be change hand easily
Ceiling Mic
These mics are suspended from ceiling usually have three inbuilt mics to capture 360°. Biggest benefit of this mic is no wire mess on table
Ceiling Tile
The Ceiling Tile mic can be easily flush-mounted into standard false ceilings and it is almost unnoticeable which make meeting room very aesthetically pleasing. This mic has multiple numbers of tiny microphones and have digital controls which makes it intelligent, on sensing audio the few tiny mics nearest to speakers comes on automatically and digital circuit picks output of one mic giving best output. All this processing happens in micro seconds by internal processor thus making it best audio microphone.
Amplifier and DSP
Amplifier
The electrical output of Microphone is low power output which is amplified by amplifier to matched power to drive speakers. Now a days Class D Amplifiers are available which does not generate heat thus eliminating need of cooling fan thus they become silent and most efficient. Amplifiers can have one channel to multiple channels, different wattages, mixing input, volume controls, etc.
Digital Signal Processor or DSP
If multiple audio inputs are in use like multiple microphones, video conference audio out, Unified Communication audio out, etc then a DSP is required to combine all available audios and route it to Amplifier. DSP essentially processes audio or voice signals in digital form and manipulates the signal through Programing. Some of the different tasks that DSP does are Volume and gain control, Apply Filters, Equalization, compression, limiting, Noise cancellation, Feedback elimination/reduction and routing of audio signals.
Opaqua DSP designed for large conference and mid size conference room. These DSP are designed for Hybrid room. The DSP are also designed for Education vertical.
Speakers
The purpose of speakers is to produce audio output that can be heard by the listener. It converts electrical energy to sound energy and driven by compatible Amplifier. As per Applications it comes in different forms and wattage's. Most commonly used in corporate are given below
Wall Speakers
These speakers can be mounted on surface like wall, Partition, etc. These comes with mount, mount is fixed on surface and speakers is mounted on it. It comes in different shapes, sizes and colours.
Ceiling Speakers
These speakers can be fixed on ceiling usually on false ceiling benefit is wiring will be completely invisible hidden above false ceiling. It comes in different sizes and colours generally in round shape
In Wall Speakers
These speakers are flushed to level of surface; it gives cleaner look as speakers are not protruded. Some of manufactures give option for painting front grill which make it integral part of interior.
Line Array
A line array is a loudspeaker system that is made up of a number of usually identical speakers elements mounted in a line and fed in phase, to create a near-line source of sound. It is used in large halls or auditoriums
Active/Powered Speakers
These are cabinet speakers having built in Amplifier, volume control, bass & treble control, some may have small DSP comes in different wattage, shapes and size. It is portable in nature can used indoor and outdoor can cater up to 200 listeners. Some models may have rechargeable batteries.
