Evolution of USB Soundcards for Speech Recognition

                                             

Evolution of USB Soundcards

When we first began using DragonDictate speech recognition software in the 1980’s, it seemed to be incredibly impressive technology. Never minding the very deliberate pause after each and every word, we waited with baited breath to see another (hopefully correct) word miraculously appear on our somewhat blurry little screens. It was fun! It was frustrating! It was not very practical. Back then, the couple of wired analog headset microphone choices available to us were more than adequate.

In 1996, NaturallySpeaking continuous speech recognition was released. With the emergence of this new technology, we had a viable tool for professional as well as personal use. That being the case, we needed microphones and soundcards designed to better utilize this increasingly more sophisticated software. Microphone manufacturers responded, with USB soundcard manufacturers following close behind. The 1st USB soundcard was a large black plastic contraption, manufactured by Telex. While great in theory, in practice it was actually worse than most integrated soundcards. In 2000, Telex released the H-531 USB headset microphone. This was much smaller but included a substandard (consumer grade) microphone element which was not much bigger than the head of a pin and produced barely acceptable accuracy. While Telex stopped producing USB soundcards before the release of Windows XP, they had at least gotten the ball rolling. Companies like Andrea Electronics and VXI then picked up the slack and additional companies have since jumped on the bandwagon. They’ve come a long way since the 1st USB microphone came out in the late 90s.

Today, a USB soundcard just might be your best option if:

• Your desktop computer is one of the 99.9% of computers that includes an integrated soundcard (which we don’t recommend using)

• Your desktop computer doesn’t have a Sound Blaster PCI soundcard

• You are using a tablet or notebook computer (as they all have integrated soundcards)

• Getting the highest possible accuracy from your speech software is of the utmost importance to you

• You are using a Mac computer

• You are using one of many of the latest notebook computers, which no longer support standard microphone input

Microphone Forums

Whether you have a specific question or want to offer your own insights about microphones, speech recognition microphones, PC’s or Speech Recognition software including WSR, Dragon NaturallySpeaking or Dragon Medical come and post it on the board. Whether you are looking to purchase or you’re having difficulty with existing equipment the forum is a great source for answers.  

To visit the Speech Recognition Forums go here http://speechrecognitionmicrophone.fr... - For additional ifo visit http://www.themicrophonestore.com - or call 615-884-4558

Microphone Forums

TheMicrophonestore.com has opened Microphone Forum discussing the Best Microphones for Speech Recognition and Best Practices in Regards to Usage. These Forums also Deal with all Other Mainstream Microphone Applications as Well as Speech Recognition Software and Computers. TheMicrophoneStore.com staff will make sure all questions receive an answer. http://speechrecognitionmicrophone.freeforums.org/

SpeechWare FlexyMike Review

SpeechWare Introduces an Ultralight Titanium Headset Microphone

 

SpeechWare has just introduced the lightest, most accurate, noise rejecting headset microphone we have ever tested. If you would like to see what we have come to believe to be the next evolution in headset microphones, check out our FlexyMike SE (single ear) and FlexyMike DE (dual ear) review at http://www.knowbrainer.com/downloads/FlexyMike_Review.pdf 

SpeechWare TravelMike Review - The Tablet / Laptop solution

SpeechWare Introduces a New Portable Desktop Microphone - A perfect solution for People using Tablet and Laptop computers.

If you’ve been waiting for a (mobile, hands-free, cord free, headset free, inconspicuous and accurate) USB portable desktop microphone that you can plug into the side of your notebook or tablet computer, check out our KnowBrainer TravelMike Review at http://www.knowbrainer.com/downloads/TravelMike_Review.pdf 

SpeechWare SpeechMatic MultiAdapter USB Soundcard Full Review

New SpeechMatic MultiAdapter USB Soundcard Can Potentially Increase Your Speech Recognition Accuracy

Have you noticed how the blue bar bounces up and down as you are running the Dragon Audio Check? Our voices never maintain a steady volume level so Dragon has to make an educated guess which means that potentially, our accuracy is never quite as good as it could be.

 

From a speech recognition point of view, USB soundcards have remained virtually unchanged since their inception in the late 90s. While some of the latest models include pretty blinking LED lights, low noise floors and high fidelity output, none of these innovations are relevant to speech recognition and that’s why, until now, we have been hesitant to publish a USB soundcard review. Fortunately, that’s all changed.

We have always endorsed the use of external USB soundcards or USB microphones but as of today, the only USB soundcard we will be recommending is the SpeechMatic MultiAdapter (due August 22, 2013) because it not only includes auto gain control but additionally includes auto EQ to compensate for vocal tonal changes that occur when speaking at lower or higher volume levels or extending or shortening the microphone distance. Besides being the only USB soundcard to include auto volume/EQ, it will also features global broadband noise filtering, a de-clicking algorithm (to block non-words such as clearing your throat) and NaturallySpeaking 11/12 algorithms impregnated onto an integrated circuit board. This new USB soundcard, which we have been testing for the last 6 months, is introducing 6 new technologies which you’ll find covered in our KnowBrainer Soundcard Face-Off ~ http://www.knowbrainer.com/downloads/Battle_of_the_USB_Soundcards.pdf but the bottom line is we found the new SpeechMatic MultiAdapter increased our speech recognition accuracy by approximately 1% over other soundcards. 1% may not sound like much until you realize that raising your accuracy from 96% to 97% translates to more than 25% fewer misrecognitions. To demonstrate this new technology, we were able to place our headset, approximately 12 inches away on our desktop, and continue dictating. Although our accuracy dropped a bit, we know of few other headset microphones that could be used from 12 inches away.

Tom Hamilton
Nuance Gold Certified & BBB Accredited
KnowBrainer Speech Recognition Forums http://www.knowbrainer.com/forums/forum
KnowBrainer.com http://www.knowbrainer.com
TheMicrophoneStore.com http://www.themicrophonestore.com