Dragon Medical Microphones

Microphones for Dragon Medical (and other audio applications)

Choose Your Microphone Type

There are many different microphones that work well with Dragon Medical. The Plantronics 610 USB headset that comes with Dragon Medical Practice Edition works OK in a quiet environment. But typically a better microphone results in better accuracy. Clearer audio also results in slightly faster Dragon responses. Between accuracy and faster responses, it is easy for a microphone replacement to save a minute or more per day, which amounts to several hours per year.

There is no "BEST" microphone. Your voice, how you use the microphone, your environment, and your PC are a few of the variables that determine what is a good microphone for you.

Sorry, but we can not tell which microphones you will find comfortable, as that is a personal preference, much as trying on shoes. So if you have a local Dragon or microphone reseller who will let you come and see and try various microphones, contact them and buy from them!

On the phone, we can discuss microphone alternatives and provide the microphone along with the software. Or, if you are in metropolitan Phoenix and need a microphone in a hurry, we keep a variety of top-quality microphones on hand. You can even feel them on your head before you buy if you visit us!

You'll have a tough time finding these microphones in retail stores. For more information about microphones, see our Microphone Hints.

• Microphones for Best Accuracy
• Most Portable Microphones
• Wireless Microphones
• Desktop Microphones
• Low-Cost Microphones that work well with Dragon NaturallySpeaking

USB Audio Adapters

The USB Audio Adapters substitute for a high-quality sound card. Some PC's have high-quality sound built-in. These are getting more common, but in our experience no more than 50% of the PC's bought commercially today have such sound cards built-in. Most persons have no idea how to tell the difference, so you may have to try your audio system with NaturallySpeaking (or any other speech recognition product) to determine if it is "good enough". The typical test is to record, then play back and listen to the sound. If it is crystal clear, better than a telephone sound, then it should work OK. Or buy one of these USB Audio Adapters with your Dragon Medical software and if you decide you don't need it then ship it back and we'll refund the cost of the adapter.

We carry 2 different brands, Andrea and Buddy. VXi makes good adapters too, and we'll sell you theirs if you prefer it for some reason but it may take extra shipping time. The Buddy 7G Audio Adapter has a mute switch and comes in two styles, distinguished by the length of the USB cable. It is a full-duplex Audio Adapter, so both headphone and microphone jacks go into it. It is our preferred adapter. If you are buying a microphone listed as a "USB" microphone, then you do not need to buy one of these adapters.

Other USB Adapters: Andrea full-duplex, VXi full-duplex adapters, Buddy 6G USB adapter, Buddy 5G USB adapter. Some Sennheiser headsets come with a Sennheiser USB adapter.

Microphones for Best Accuracy

Microphone accuracy varies based on many factors. Of all the microphones we offer, the Sennheiser ME3 is the most accurate for most persons. Some don't find it as comfortable as conventional over-the-top-of-the-head headsets, others find these more comfortable. As a handheld microphone, the Philips SpeechMike Premium is clearly best in its class for accuracy with a handheld microphone as of October 2012.

Most Portable Microphones

Many people must transport microphones, either from room to room or pack them up into laptop bags. These microphones are relatively easy to transport. The Buddy Stylus is by far the lightest of these microphones and is aimed at the Tablet-PC market.

The Philips SpeechMike Premium (model LFH3500) is the best of these in moderate noise environments based upon our preliminary testing in September 2012. It has many other features justifying the higher pricing, including an excellent trackball mouse and programmable buttons. It can be set so the microphone turns off when you put the microphone down and the microphone turns on when you pick it up, saving precious seconds.

The Nuance PowerMic II is another common handheld microphone used with Dragon Medical Practice Edition. Read a comparison between the PowerMic II and the SpeechMike Premium.

Philips SpeechMike Pro Manufacturer Information

Insync Buddy Flamingo Manufacturer Information

 

Wireless Microphones

If you want an inexpensive and accurate wireless microphone, beware! There are good, expensive (hundreds of dollars) ones with fixed base stations. We like one of these, the Philips SpeechMike Air, for some applications. Others work well, but all are more difficult to set up than wired microphones.

Bluetooth microphones can be obtained. If you are moving a PC from place to place several times per day, the convenience of a Bluetooth microphone is attractive. If your computer stays at the same place all the time, look at conventional wireless microphones before thinking about Bluetooth. Some people report they work fine, so if you have a high value for being wireless, it may be fine for you. We'll advise you to order two of them so you'll have a spare while the other is being repaired. You'll have to ask us via email to supply these.

Generally-speaking, the inexpensive (under $100) Bluetooth microphones that are used for cell phones DO NOT WORK WELL FOR SPEECH RECOGNITION!

Think about why you want to get rid of the wires. Are you allergic to wires? Do you just want to look cool? Do you trip on the wires? Are the wires too heavy to carry? With wireless microphones you must carry a transmitter which has batteries that weigh more than most wires. Unless you have a strong reason to go wireless, I'd advise against it. Besides, when you open the packages, wireless microphones normally have more wires than wired microphones, just in different places.

Desktop Microphones

There are microphones that sit on a desk, ready to be used. They work best in very quiet settings. Many lawyers, doctors, and those working at home have such quiet settings. If debating between these and wireless microphones, I'd choose these as they are much more reliable.

Often a Buddy 6G USB adapter is used along with a Buddy Gooseneck microphone.

 

Low-Cost Microphones that work well with Dragon Medical

Cost is often a factor. Some microphones are used in environments where they get damaged faster than normal (e.g. schools). Others are used where infection control is a factor (e.g. dentistry) so the microphones need replacement often. Whatever the reason, some need to consider cost first and get a good microphone at low cost instead of paying for a better microphone at a higher cost.

These microphones aren't the best, but work well. They may be the best for the money for some applications.

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