What is a Conference Microphone and How Does it Differ From Other Mics?

Conference Microphones, Microphone Discussion, or Push to Talks.



These are all names given to the type of microphone that is used as part of a bigger system of microphones where the use of a conventional microphone is impractical.



What makes a conference microphone different to a conventional microphone is typically a conference microphone will have a built in pre-amp. This allows for an installation that 'daisy chains' the microphones in series and sends the audio along a common ‘bus'. The conventional microphone, as used for music or recording, has no pre-amp, instead this is contained in a sound desk or mixer. This conventional arrangement requires individual cables to be run from the sound desk to each microphone. The conference microphone is usually enclosed in a table top enclosure that houses the microphone, pre-amp, an on /off button, and possibly an amplifier with a small 'personal' speaker.



Both types have different applications, conventional microphones are used for music (both in live sound, recording) and in speech applications where individual tonal / gain controls are required. i.e. lectern or top table. Conference microphones are used for situations of extended speech reinforcement applications ie. Board rooms, Council Chambers, Parliaments, etc... With these applications in mind a conference microphone system has features which are unique to its type.



Designed to allow the orderly control of a meeting, these features include: Push to talk (PTT) on /off microphone activation switch to allow delegate operation; a microphone mounted light to show the microphones status, not only the user but also other delegates / chairman; a limit on the number of microphones that can be 'live' at any one time (from 1 - 8), which is applied to prevent too many microphones becoming live and causing feedback (howling speakers).



The limiter is normally adjustable to various modes of operation including ‘Automatic' where delegates switch on and off their microphones at will. The ‘Manual' mode is where delegates ‘request to speak' and their microphone is made live by the chairman or a technician when it is their turn to speak.
Another feature is the ability of a chairman's or president's microphone to over ride all others.



Conference microphones connect via a 'daisy chain' cable network that puts the microphones in series running back to a central controller. The controller outputs a single audio connection which allows up to a hundred microphones to be connected to just a single audio input on a sound desk or amplifier. More modern digital systems may make use of common cable types such as Cat5, some systems may use a proprietary cable which is unique to the system and can add greatly to the cost of an installation.



The daisy chain cable arrangement suited the traditional table layouts of board rooms and council chambers however this has now developed in to wireless models which allow the use of these systems easily in a cabaret table style arrangement. Wireless systems also allow for the installation of such a system in a listed building where a cabled installation would be invasive or where a room needs to be multi purpose requiring the easy removal and re-installation of the equipment.



Sometimes conference microphones will be wired up to a conference voting system that will allow delegates to vote on issues during the conference and have the results displayed instantly.



Control of the system is by a chairman's unit or a comprehensive technicians control panel which allows full remote control of all microphones.