Microphone Options

---

Integrating microphones into a museum kiosk to capture user questions requires selecting options that are both sensitive enough to pick up speech clearly and robust enough to withstand frequent use in a public setting. Here are some of the best microphone options for this purpose:

1. Boundary Microphones

• Advantages:
  • Noise Rejection: Good at minimizing ambient noise due to their placement on flat surfaces.
  • Size of Capture Zone: Typically wide, making them suitable for picking up sound from a group.
  • Integration: Easy to mount on flat surfaces.
• Disadvantages:
  • Customization: Limited customization options.
  • Multiple Speakers: Can handle multiple speakers but may struggle in very noisy environments.
  • Hardware: Often requires additional amplification or digitalization hardware.
• Examples:
  • Shure MX395: A low-profile boundary microphone designed for applications like conferencing and can be discreetly integrated into a kiosk surface.
  • Audio-Technica U841A: Known for its wide-range condenser element, it provides clear and intelligible voice pickup.

2. Gooseneck Microphones

• Advantages:
  • Noise Rejection: Excellent noise rejection due to directional pickup patterns.
  • Customization: Highly customizable in terms of positioning.
  • Multiple Speakers: Can be adjusted to focus on a specific speaker.
• Disadvantages:
  • Size of Capture Zone: Limited to the direction they are pointed.
  • Hardware: Usually requires additional amplification or digitalization hardware.
  • Integration: May be more challenging to integrate seamlessly into a kiosk.
• Examples:
  • Shure MX418: Offers flexible positioning, high sound quality, and built-in noise rejection.
  • Audio-Technica U857Q: Provides flexible placement and clear audio capture.

3. USB Microphones

• Advantages:
  • Plug-and-Play: Easy to use with direct USB connectivity.
  • Customization: Moderately customizable.
  • Integration: Generally easy to integrate into a kiosk with minimal additional hardware.
• Disadvantages:
  • Noise Rejection: Varies by model; some may pick up background noise.
  • Multiple Speakers: Typically designed for single-speaker use, but some can handle multiple speakers.
• Examples:
  • Rode NT-USB Mini: Compact and easy to integrate, providing excellent sound quality and USB connectivity.
  • Blue Yeti Nano: A smaller version of the popular Blue Yeti, offering good audio quality and ease of integration into kiosk setups.

4. Ceiling Microphones

• Advantages:
  • Noise Rejection: Good at isolating sound from specific areas.
  • Multiple Speakers: Excellent for handling multiple speakers within a defined area.
  • Integration: Can be integrated into the ceiling for a seamless look.
• Disadvantages:
  • Size of Capture Zone: Depends on the model; some have a wide capture zone.
  • Hardware: Requires complex integration and additional hardware.
  • Customization: Limited once installed, as they are fixed to the ceiling.
• Examples:
  • Shure MXA910: A ceiling array microphone that provides excellent coverage.
  • Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2: Offers automatic beamforming to capture voices from anywhere in its range.

5. Desktop Microphones

• Advantages:
  • Noise Rejection: Typically good for near-field sound capture.
  • Integration: Easy to place on kiosk surfaces.
• Disadvantages:
  • Size of Capture Zone: Limited to the immediate area around the microphone.
  • Multiple Speakers: Best for single-speaker or small group use.
  • Customization: Limited in terms of positioning and mounting.
  • Hardware: May require additional digitalization hardware.
• Examples:
  • AKG CBL201: A boundary layer microphone designed for tabletop use, easily integrated into a kiosk surface.
  • Beyerdynamic Classis BM 53: A high-quality desktop boundary microphone for clear audio capture.

6. Directional Microphones

• Advantages:
  • Noise Rejection: Excellent due to their highly directional nature.
  • Multiple Speakers: Can be pointed at specific speakers or areas.
• Disadvantages:
  • Size of Capture Zone: Very limited; best for focused audio capture.
  • Integration: Can be challenging to mount and integrate seamlessly.
  • Customization: Moderately customizable but requires precise positioning.
  • Hardware: Requires additional amplification or digitalization hardware.
• Examples:
  • Rode NTG2: A shotgun microphone that can focus on the user’s voice while rejecting background noise.
  • Sennheiser MKE 600: Another shotgun option known for its clarity and directionality.

Ranked Table

Microphone Type	Robustness to Noise	Size of Capture Zone	Handles Multiple Speakers	Plug and Play	Ease of Integration
Ceiling Microphones	4	5	5	3	2
Gooseneck Microphones	5	3	4	2	3
Boundary Microphones	4	4	4	2	4
USB Microphones	3	3	3	5	5
Directional Microphones	5	2	3	2	3
Desktop Microphones	3	3	3	3	4
Lavalier Microphones	4	2	2	3	2

Additional Considerations:

• Durability: Choose microphones that can withstand frequent use and possible physical contact.
• Ease of Integration: Ensure the microphone can be easily integrated with the kiosk's hardware and software.
• Noise Rejection: In a busy museum environment, microphones with good noise rejection capabilities will be essential.
• Accessibility: Consider the height and placement of the microphone to make it accessible to users of all heights, including children and people with disabilities.

These options provide a good starting point for integrating microphones into a museum kiosk, ensuring clear and reliable audio capture for user interactions.