Home Forums Speech Recognition News - New Microphone Released by Speechware

SpeechWare microphones have taken over the speech recognition market whether it's a headset microphone or a desktop microphone or perhaps a TravelMike. They are making their mics specifically for this purpose (Speech Recognition) and that's why they are winning. They have recently came out with a new addition to their family coined the SpeechWare FlexyMike Dual Ear Cardiod http://www.knowbrainer.com/NewStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=495&idcategory=17 that we believe is their best headset mic yet. They took the SpeechWare FlexyMike Dual Ear (DE)and gave it a redesigned larger microphone capsule delivering serious noise cancelling on top of the stellar accuracy and comfort. We strongly feel this is now the very best headset microphone available. See it on Blogger http://know-brainer.blogspot.com/2014/06/speech-recognition-news-new-microphone.html

Tom-
How is this best used with a laptop computer.
I doubt the sound card in my X220T would be good enough to take full advantage of the microphone.

Also, can it somehow be used in a wireless configuration?

More specifically, should the FlexyMike Dual Ear Cardiod be used with SpeechWare SpeechMatic MultiAdapter, or can it just be plugged into the mic port on laptop?

Does the TravelMike include the MultiAdapter -- it is pictured together, and looks like it comes as a unit.

I have been using a Plantronics over-the-ear microphone for several years -- and I have been looking at the FlexyMike options for some time now, especially the FlexyMike Single Ear Headset. Now you have the intriguing option of the TravelMike, and the strong recommendation for the Dual Ear Cardioid.

I want to buy one of those -- but I'm like the proverbial donkey between two bales of hay, not knowing which to choose. I wish there were some way to try these things out without just taking a flyer. I certainly can't afford all three.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these?

Tom,

I'll answer your questions below and please ask as many as you like.


?How is this best used with a laptop computer.
I doubt the sound card in my X220T would be good enough to take full advantage of the microphone.?

With any of the FlexyMikes or any analog microphone you definitely want to use a USB Sound Card.


?Also, can it somehow be used in a wireless configuration??

We spent some time thinking about a solution for that question and came up with the following http://www.knowbrainer.com/NewStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=483&idcategory=16 It is not cheap but people have been very pleased with the combination.

?More specifically, should the FlexyMike Dual Ear Cardiod be used with SpeechWare SpeechMatic MultiAdapter, or can it just be plugged into the mic port on laptop??

The mic port wouldn?t on the laptop (unless you have an aftermarket soundcard like a SoundBlaster) would absolutely take away from the FlexyMike DEC. The SpeechMatic MultiAdapter is the best USB Sound Card but you can also use the Andrea Pure Audio MA witch is one third of the price and will do almost as good of a job.

?Does the TravelMike include the MultiAdapter -- it is pictured together, and looks like it comes as a unit.?


The TravelMike does indeed include the MultiAdapter


?I want to buy one of those -- but I'm like the proverbial donkey between two bales of hay, not knowing which to choose.?


When it comes to the three FlexyMikes I?m not crazy about the single ear simply because I don?t care for any single ear microphones. It?s not about the performance but more of a comfort thing for me, I have it in my head that they don?t stay in place although have of our customers prefer them. The Dual Ear Cardiod is superior to the DE because of the noise cancellation properties. Out of the three I?d go with the Dual Ear Cardiod. When it comes to the sound card the MultiAdapter will squeeze a little more accuracy out than the Pure Audio MA but only a little. If one has the budget I?d go with the Multiadapter, if not go with the less expensive Pure Audio and you?ll still have an awesome set up.

The TravelMike is all about mobility on a laptop or tablet and is perfect for a doc on the run from patient room to patient room or users that feel strongly about not wearing a headset.

Here are a few threads from our online forum with docs talking about their experiences with the mics http://www.knowbrainer.com/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=17573&enterthread=y

http://www.knowbrainer.com/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=17494&enterthread=y

Thank you Tom.
I'm going to spring for the TravelMike, and think about the over-the-ear mikes.
If I understand you correctly, they can be plugged into the same sound card

Yes, you can use the sound card included with the TravelMike with any other microphone you choose including all other brands of mics on the market. What type and version of Dragon are you using if I may ask?

I was just curious as I was thinking of something extra to put in your package before FedEx arrived. I then remembered we were instructed to hand out 16 FlexyMike Dual Ear Cardiods http://www.knowbrainer.com/NewStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=495&idcategory=17 to various forum members from various forums including our own to review and keep free of charge so now the thinking is over. They are both on the way. I also included an eval of our KnowBrainer 2012 command software.

Tom -- I'm really looking forward to trying these new mikes. My old Plantronics over-the-ear is really amazingly accurate, but lacks the comfort and convenience I hope the FlexyMikes will provide.

I became very interested in FlexyMike several years ago when I attended an incredibly energetic, at times raucous, play at Ashland, OR -- the actors were jumping, dancing, running around everywhere, and the background din was impressive. They were all wearing FlexyMikes with little transmitter packages (I went back stage to find out what they were using-- I couldn't believe what I heard) and their voices were crystal clear above the background. They never seemed to come off or get dislodged, no matter how they moved.

At that time, you weren't selling them -- I'm not sure they were even available for speech recognition -- but your announcement of the FlexyMikes a week or so ago made me start researching them again.

I use DNS 12.50.000.142.
It is on several different machines -- one an 8-core, 8GB memory tower, a Lenovo T61p with 4GB memory, and an X220Tablet with 4GB. I don't notice much difference in speed or accuracy between them. You say that 8GB memory works best -- maybe I don't put enough demand on the system to be able to tell. I don't use the full command set or much in the way of macros -- I'm just dictating medical records.

I continue to use the standard version (not the Medical version) because I do almost all my dictating from home using RDP, and Dragon works pretty well in the remote window. There are some funny glitches that I have become used to -- but no one yet has been able to show me that the Medical version would improve that. Several friends use the Medical version -- but they stay at the office after hours to dictate. No question that direct dictation into EMR with DNS Medical is snappier -- but I just can't stand to stay at the office!

I'll give you a full report on the mikes shortly after they arrive and I have had a chance to try them out.

Also have to ask Bert if this conversation is too personal or too commercial for the User Board -- we could carry it on privately.

Tom Duncan

keep the discussion/conversation active here!

It only made sense to send out one of the free units to an AC member since I've been participating on here for so many years. We do sell a few Plantronics units but I've never been much of a fan. That FlexyMike story sounds very familiar, almost like you've told me it before.

The computer specs that I give are for optimum results. It's just how the question usually gets presented when a costumer asks especially on a new PC purchase. We don't sell computers so we don't have a dog in the fight. It's also true that a computer with more under the hood will be viable farther into the future making it a more sound investment. The price difference between 8 vs. 4 is too little to not go for 8 and so is the price difference between a i7 processor vs. an i5 or a dual core vs. a quad core. Your computers are definitely up to the task, no worries.

When you say 'Standard' 12.5 I'm assuming you don't mean Standard or Professional but perhaps premium. If your using Premium your serial number starts with K68 OR K60. We recommend against the Home Edition or Standard because vocabulary changes you make, your voice files etc. cannot be saved from one version to the next so you literally have to start from scratch. Some of our docs stand by Medical and some have been rubbed the wrong way by Nuance's pricing structure. Most of our docs that use Medical do their dictation through the workday into their EMR and their whole goal is (as you stated)to get out of the office ASAP and they add up their time savings week to week and month to month to justify the cost. In the end it's up to each and every user to choose what's best for their purposes. The copy of KnowBrainer I included improves upon a few things and adds about 10,000 commands. One good example is after you correct a word by voice it leaves the cursor in the middle of the sentence instead of putting it back at the end so you can continue dictating......we would want that why?! KnowBrainer puts the cursor at the end of a sentence as it should be. Another good example is if you want to add a word or phrase to your vocabulary (phrases have more power)it involves cutting and pasting as well as clicking around various menus and waiting, in KnowBrainer you simply highlight the phrase and say 'add to vocabulary' and your done.


I've communicated with Bert a fair bit over the years and as long as things are tasteful and inside of the Vendor sub forum I don't think he'd mind at all but by all means go ahead and ask. In fact this very sub forum was created about 5 years ago because several forum members found my reviews and even trouble shooting posts obtrusive. The idea being if someone wants to read they can and if not avoid the vendor sub forum.

That's it for me, around 6:30 CST I'll be enjoying 'The Logan' and a tumbler of Blue Moon ale at Logan's Roadhouse....I just love throwing the peanuts on the floor, makes me feel like a rebel. A great weekend to all.

Thanks Tom
I probably did tell you that story about the FlexyMikes when I first saw them in action. I was really impressed, but at the time they weren't available for speech recognition.

You are right -- it is DNS "premium". I'm not really rubbed the wrong way by Nuance's pricing structure, though it does seem a little disproportionate. They used to have a "small office" medical version at lower cost (we don't have corporate money generating ability, so maybe there is a "fairness" issue).

In any event, it isn't so much I don't want to pay the price as I don't see any benefit at this time to using the medical edition at this time.

I'm interested in trying the KnowBrainer -- I admit I am not a very efficient dictator. My work flow doesn't really allow for dictating in the room with patients before they leave, and the minute I go out of the exam room door there is some distraction -- nursing home, drug refill, staff question -- so I have to dive into the next exam room and can't dictate the record between patients either, or I get trapped.

Tom,
I'm looking at possibly adding dictation to my charting. Mostly I will be dictating between patients/end of day and not in the exam room but also probably taking home at times. Can you compare the flexy mike discussed here with a handheld and possibly your handheld with the stand? Other than portability (although the flexymike seems much more portable than most of the other table mikes) any particular plus/minuses to keep in mind between these two choices? Also, is it ok to use a usb splitter for the input?
Also, how does your return policy work with Dragon medical if for some reason it just doesn't seem to work for me? I suspect all will be well, but as discussed it's a lot of money to discover it's not as helpful as hoped for.
Thanks for the input-

Tom--I actually meant the Travel Mike, not the Flexymike. Thanks.

MK1,

The TravelMike has a shorter range as far as the distance you can be from the microphone element. The TravelMike does not have as much noise cancellation as the Philips SpeechMike LFH-3500 http://www.knowbrainer.com/NewStore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=450&idcategory=67 but if you were in a noisy situation you could remove the TravelMikes included mini-gooseneck microphone from the specialized sound card and plug in a noise cancelling headset microphone. The TravelMike does not have to be held or worn making it perfect for tablet or laptop use and again a headset can be added for desktop use. In the same tablet laptop situation the SpeechMike has to be carried but in a stationary situation it can be used as a desktop microphone with our included stand so you don?t have to wear it or hold it. In the end they are both great tools for dictation with different strengths and weakness. I don't recommend using a usb splitter, hub or a USB port on a keyboard, monitor or the front/side of a desktop computer.


When it comes to the return policy we offer a 30 day customer satisfaction guarantee on everything we sell whether it?s a six foot shielded cable or a 10 pack of Dragon Medical. We know that depending on schedules and workload sometimes it may take a few weeks just to get started. We also bundle a 35 page manual for Dragon Medical and include phone, email and virtual onsite support.

Thanks for the reply Tom. I'll look it all over and probably be in touch. MK

I dictate between patients at my desktop andI can't say enough about my SpeechWare 3in1 table mike. Tremendous accuracy. Freedom to dictate up to 2 feet from the mike. Both hands free to navigate AC, hold papers, dial the phone, etc. I can't fathom tying up one hand with a handheld and try to operate mike buttons while dictating. Keep it simple, and accurate.
Dave

Back to you Tom Hamilton.

I have been using my TravelMike extensively. It is simply amazing.
In the package was also a FlexyMike dual ear cardioid mic which is even more amazing ? at least more accurate ? but of course you have to wear it on your head in order to go from what seems like about 98% up to about 99% accuracy. I haven't had a lot of experience with that one yet, mostly because I'm so happy with the TravelMike.

Up to now, I have mostly been using a Plantronics over- the- ear microphone with the Plantronics USB card, and sometimes I use an old Phillips SpeechMike. Originally I thought I would like to use the SpeechMike the way I used to use the handheld microphone on a dictaphone, but I quickly became tired of holding onto the microphone, and I found I didn't need the start, stop, playback, etc. buttons. Dictation technique is quite different using Dragon. The Plantronics is plenty accurate, but hurts my ear after prolonged use.

As you have pointed out many times in the past, they all work quite well, and actually even the headset that comes in the box with Dragon is amazingly good, though it does not compare with the other four that I have. I really have to hand it to Nuance. They have done their homework and the program is simply astounding. It is important always to dictate and not have a conversation with the computer. It doesn't work that way.

The bottom line keeps changing for me, but at the present time I think that I am going to stick with my laptop and the TravelMike plugged into the USB socket on the side. This puts the microphone in an almost perfect place for nearly 100% accuracy with speech recognition and very decent noise cancellation. I have tried using it in the office, out in the hall where we have little cubicle workstations. It is pretty noisy at out there, but the accuracy seems to be very satisfactory.

Tom Duncan

Tom Duncan,

Is distance an issue at all with the travel mike relative to Dave's comment re: up to 2 ft. away for the 3 in 1 table mike? Thanks.

I can't compare -- don't have the table mike.
You can be quite a ways from the TravelMike if it is quiet around you and if you either are running on battery or a 3-wire AC source. Recognition takes too long and gets inaccurate if you get too far away, but since I have my hands on the keyboard anyway, it isn't an issue.

I am with Dave (the amazing one); the 3-in-1 is very accurate. No pulling it on and off my head. Both hands are free for keyboard shortcuts, navigating, and typing the occasional short words or phrases.