Lecture Theatre Recording and Distance Learning: The Voice Tracker™ Array Microphone

Voice Tracker™ array microphones incorporate 5 important technology innovations:

• Automatic and electronic scanning “listening beam” with a field of view of 360°.
• Spatial filtering for noise reduction.
• Constructive addition of multiple microphone elements for long range.
• Rapidly converging AEC algorithm (Voice Tracker II only).
• Embedded algorithms for ease of use.

The combination of these innovations allows the Voice Tracker microphone to have extremely long pick up range. The ability to “hear” talkers throughout an entire room results in a strong economic advantage over the alternative of using several conventional microphones, coupled together through a mixer.

Scanning “Listening Beam”

Unlike conventional microphones, or first-generation array microphones, which have a fixed “listen” direction, Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker™ Array Microphones automatically locate the active talker and electronically steers a “listening beam” in that direction. It can direct its “listening beam” over a 360-degree range, creating a wide field of view. For Meeting Recording or Lecture Capture or Conferencing Applications, the Voice Tracker™ Array Microphones capture all the participants since the “listening beam” moves from one talker to the next in milliseconds. For speech recognition applications, it is no longer necessary to sit rigidly in front of the microphone. The user is free to lean backwards, sideways, or even move around.

Spatial Filtering for Noise Reduction

The Voice Tracker™ Array Microphone improves signal-to-noise ratios in two ways.

• First, its digital signal processor creates a listening beam (like a searchlight) that focuses on the talker and spatially filters noise from other directions.
• Second, its proprietary noise reduction algorithms filter out background noise and reverberations that are present in the acoustic environment.

Constructive Addition of Multiple Microphones for High Sensitivity

Voice Tracker’s adds the audio signals from the always-on microphone elements, but not the noise.

Rapidly Converging AEC Algorithm

Since the acoustic characteristics of a scanning array microphone change as it moves its listening beam around the room, it is necessary that the AEC algorithm have an extremely fast convergence time. The Voice Tracker™ II AEC algorithm is the fastest in the world.

Embedded Algorithms for Ease of Use

Our patented steering technology employs digital electronics and proprietary embedded algorithms. There are no moving parts, so the Voice Tracker™ Array Microphone is rugged, reliable, and easy to use. Simply plug it into your computer. No software needs to be loaded, and there is no drain on your computer’s processing capacity.

Buy the Voice Tracker™:

The Voice Tracker™ I is optimised for recording, and conventional conferencing applications. Also used for Speech Recognition.

To get an idea of the Pick-up range, see a video of one Voice Tracker I located in the front of a stadium lecture hall check out this impressive Lecture Theatre video:

Also, do watch this Conference room systems interview with Acoustic Magic founder Bob Feingold

Further Information

Need more information? Call 0800 34 2828 to talk to one of our New Zealand based experts or email sales@soundbusiness.co.nz