SpeechWare makes the TabletMike in two versions which are similar and, in general, provide identical results:
- A new version with a short fully flexible boom that can rotate in any direction but which cannot be flexed more than about 15-20 degrees
- An original version which uses a pivoting mechanism which allows flexing of the boom up to 90 degrees.
Why two versions? The original version had more potential for users to over-rotate and potentially damage the wires within the rotating mechanism. There were, on occasions, resulting failures. It was, in addition, a more costly build. The newer version has a fully flexible boom as seen (in a much lengthier vesion on standard microphones) and is believed to be less susceptible to damage. The downside of the new version is that it cannot be flexed nearly as much as the original version. If your use does not depend upon much flexing of the boom, either version is probably fine. If you plan to use this boom to convert an already purchased SpeechWare USB MultiAdapter, then you might appreciate the ability to flex the boom to a larger degree and have it truly point toward you. At this point SpeechWare is producing both versions and we are happy to provide both.
This listing is for the newer flexible boom version which may be more durable but doesn't bend/flex to the degree of the older version.
This third generation SpeechWare "TabletMike" consists of a small microphone element on the end of a very short flexible boom. It includes the same highly sensitive and accurate microphone element used in the acclaimed TableMike series and the recently updated TravelMike. It comes as a bundle and includes the following:
- Microphone with included highly sensitive and directional element. Microphone has a 3.5 mm audio plug and is attached to a 1/2 inch flexible boom
- Foam windscreen (optional for distant use, ideal for close-range use)
- Small adapter to allow use in iOS and Android devices. This adapter splits a single integrated CTIA jack into it's sound-out and mic-in components
This product is intended primarily for mobile device users requiring a more accurate and directional microphone than the on-board microphone and is compatible a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac (if interfacing with a USB adapter), iOS and Android.
This is the same microphone included with the recently released (October 2018) TravelMike bundle, so for those with the older bundle which included the short boom microphone, switching to this element will bring you the same performance of the updated TravelMike.
The small mobile device adapter bundled with this product is designed for situtations in which the TabletMic is plugged into a port that combines microphone-in and sound-out functionality, such as seen on most mobile devices and many newer computers. It serves the purpose of separating the mic-in and sound-out channels.
Why the TabletMike? To be blunt, this is an expensive accesory. Why should you consider it? To very important reasons for the user requiring the best performance from an application on a mobile device: 1) it is a high-quality microphone element that can be expected to provide a better audio signal than the on-board microphone and 2) it is highly directional and will likely do a much better job in rejecting external noise outside of the axis of this device. If "hearing is believing", take a listen to the two following links, recorded within minutes of each other on the site owner's iPhone. Both recording are done with moderately loud music playing in the background. One is done with the on-board microphone and the second with the TabletMic. You decide which provides the best noise rejection.
TabletMike Audio Specifications:
- Element: back electret condenser
- Polar Pattern: cardioid Sensitivity: -37 dB@1kHz, SPL=1Pa
- Frequency Response and output impedence: 80 - 20,000 Hz and 1700 ohms ADC
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 92 dB@i fs=48kHz, 1kHz at 1 Pa
Physical Specifications (microphone only):
- Weight: 24 gm (0.8 oz)
- Length (including plug): 7.5 cm (3 inches)
- Length (excluding plug): 6.0 cm (2 3/8 inches)
- Color black
Included in the box:
- Microphone
- Windscreen
- Mobile device adapter
Links:
Our Take: Like everything from SpeechWare, this is beautifully engineered, performs amazingly, and is expensive! We consider this a perfect device for the mobile user doing mission critical dictation on a mobile platform. If you expect to use this in a fixed location and need more than about 35 degree of flexion of the boom, we recommend that you purchase our exclusive 45 degree TRS adpater shown below as a "related product". If you know that you will need more flexion, we recommend that you purchase the original version of the TabletMike which is shown below under "related products". Call us if you have any questions.
