Conference Room microphones

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Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 28, 2002
Messages
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I've been put in charge of bettering the conference room's video conferencing capabilities. I guess right now they are complaining about poor performance from one of the apple iSights (http://www.apple.com/isight/). It doesn't seem to pick up everyones voice in the room.

I was thinking they should just get something like this:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/3e0e3e5cec6fe424/index.html
An omnidirectional microphone--Audio Technica being a reputable audio equipment seller. The only problem is that they would like the interface to be usb so this microphone audio would have to be converted so it can be plugged into an Apple PowerBook (15 inch).

Another solution to this problem that I was considering is to put multiple microphones in the room and send them to a mixer that has usb out. Something like this:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ALEMULTIMIX8USB

Also would it be better to just use the audio line-in to send any microphone input instead of using usb?

Any suggestions?

Summary:
I need something that can either take 8 or so mic inputs mix them and send them to a PowerBook. Or a really good omnidirectional microphone or 2.
USB or line-in.
 
You won't be able to run a mic level signal straight into a line-in. Mic's have to go through a preamp to bring them up to line level. I'd buy a cheap mixer, as many mics as it takes for even coverage of the room and use the line-in.
 
That mixer would work. You could get a griffin iMic, though, to make it look pretty. I can't see the mics, that link doesn't work. Maybe this 3-pack for $100? It doesn't need to be anything fancy for this application.

If they complain about volume, you could get an inexpensive compressor and turn it up a notch.
 
I meant to get the mics in addition to the mixer you linked. Then if more volume than the mixer can produce without clipping is needed, a compressor would help.

You could use an analog-only mixer like this one with the iMic. Otherwise get the digital one.
 
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