Suggested Microphone List

You can obtain the M*Modal Mobile Microphone application from the iTunes App Store or Google Play .

The following devices should be avoided with M*Modal products. They are unsupported due to core issues with Samsung's issue with 11 kHz audio recording. There may be other devices with similar issues, however, this list shows devices that definitively have this issue.

It is possible that microphones not on the suggested list may work with Fluency Direct. Without prior testing or experience, M*Modal cannot verify the accuracy or usability of non-documented options. If issues arise with a non-suggested microphone, M*Modal will still provide initial support, however, there are limited remedies to problems that can be offered. Assistance from the manufacture may be the only possible support option to improve usability and accuracy.

1 - Accuracy is dictated by a combination of audio quality, noise cancelation technology and the likelihood of consistent microphone placement relative to the speaker's mouth.

2 -For Handheld Microphones usability is typically impacted by how recording is started and finalized. Microphones with record switches instead of record buttons tend to have higher rates of user error during the recording process. It is not uncommon for users of switch activated microphones to accidently leave them on after dictation is complete. This causes otherwise unintended noise and speech to be recognized by M*Modal Fluency Direct.

3- When comparing headset microphones with handheld microphones, users typically notice two shortcomings to headsets. A headset microphone's usability can be impacted by how recording is started and finalized. Typically the keyboard or the M*Modal Fluency Direct control bar is used to start and end the recording process. It is not uncommon for users of headsets to accidently leave them on after dictation is complete. This causes otherwise unintended noise and speech to be recognized by M*Modal Fluency Direct. An additional concern is that an array of handheld programmable buttons that would otherwise be accessible via a handheld microphone are unavailable to headset users. This can prevent quick access to some M*Modal Fluency Direct functionality.

4 -Wireless communication between a microphone and a computer can occur via Bluetooth or other proprietary communication protocols. The Bluetooth communication protocol uses lossy compression which limits the audio quality available to M*Modal Fluency Direct. Some proprietary communication protocols do a better job of transporting audio without loss of audio quality. Higher audio quality typically means better accuracy for M*Modal Fluency Direct. This applies to Bluetooth headsets that may be used with the Mobile Microphone app.

5 - When comparing gooseneck microphones with handhelds and headsets, users typically notice three shortcomings. A gooseneck microphone's usability can be impacted by how recording is started and finalized. Typically the keyboard or the M*Modal Fluency Direct control bar is used to start and end the recording process. It is not uncommon for users of gooseneck microphones to accidently leave them on after dictation is complete. This causes otherwise unintended noise and speech to be recognized by M*Modal Fluency Direct. This type of common error can be limited by the use of a foot pedal in conjunction with a gooseneck microphone. The use of a gooseneck microphone also introduces increased variability in the distance between the user and microphone. With a headset or a handheld, a user is much more likely to keep the microphone a consistent distance and positioned correctly relative to the mouth. Consistency in microphone placement has an impact on recognition accuracy. An additional concern is that an array of handheld programmable buttons that would otherwise be accessible via a handheld microphone are unavailable to the user. This can prevent quick access to some M*Modal Fluency Direct functionality.

6 - When comparing mobile microphone apps with handheld microphones, users typically notice two shortcomings to the mobile microphone app. The microphone on mobile phones are not designed for noise cancellation. The mobile microphone app is more prone to picking up background noise compared to a handheld microphone which has hardware based noise cancellation technology. Handheld microphone buttons are also more ergonomic and allow easier access using a single hand to both hold the device and select a button simultaneously.

When purchased from the 3M Depot, the following warranties will apply.

Philips US

Olympus: North America