Speech Recognition for the Macintosh User
[Also see our selection of Dragon and MacSpeech Dictate software for the Mac user]
Macintosh computers have traditionally used a different microphone input jack than IBM-type personal computers. Macs use a "Line In" jack which does not provide enough power to the usual microphone element. As a result, most ordinary headset microphones are incompatible with Macintosh computers when plugged into the microphone input jack. With a little ingenuity, however, most microphones can be used with a Mac. Strategies include:
- Using a microphone which includes its own power supply (battery powered)
- Using a small pre-amplifier such as the Andrea APS-100 Auxiliary Power Supply. In this situation the microphone is plugged into the pre-amplifier which in turn is plugged into the mic input jack
- Using a traditional microphone with a USB sound adapter such as those made by Andrea, Buddy and VXI. In this scenario the microphone in plugged into the adapter which in turn is plugged into a USB port on the computer.
We offer a variety of microphones that can be used with the MacIntosh, virtually all sharing the characteristic of either 1) being manufactured such that it attaches to your Mac with a USB port or 2) being packaged with a separate USB Sound adapter. For each microphone or product listed below, we will let you know if anything added is needed to use it with a Mac, and if so, offer a combination product in which the microphone is bundled with whatever you need.
For more information on Macintosh microphone compatibility, please visit our Microphone Compatibility Chart. |
Recommended Microphones for the Mac User
Dictaphone PowerMic II
 Although full functionality of this microphone requires use of a free third party system utility (USB Overdrive) to take advantage of the programmable buttons in the Mac environment, it is a highly accurate, noise canceling, and functional microphone for the Mac user.
Learn more ....
MSRP: $495
Price: $
424.00
|
Sennheiser ME3/Andrea USB Adapter Combination
 This is our best selling product for speech recognition on both the Mac and PC and widely considered the most accurate and noise canceling microphone for use with a computer.
Learn more ...
MSRP: $247.95
Price: $
189.00
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Andrea NC181VM USB
 A high quality microphone with integrated USB adapter, mute switch and sound volume control. This model has a single speaker.
Learn more ...
Price: $
49.95
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Andrea NC185VM USB
 A high quality microphone with integrated USB adapter, mute switch and sound volume control. This model has two speakers.
Learn more ...
Price:
$
54.95
|
|
 VXI TalkPro USB-200
Full featured binaural USB microphone with VXI's Gentex element. Compatible with all operating systems and speech recognition products. Includes a sophisticated noise canceling element
Learn more ...
Price: $
87.95
|
 VXI TalkPro USB-100
This full featured monaural USB microphone is compatible with all operating systems and voice recognition products. Includes a sophisticated noise canceling element. Learn more ...
Price: $
85.95
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Microphones Useable with a Separately Purchased USB Sound Adapter: Microphones which work with a Mac when used with a separately purchased external USB sound adapter (also see the USB adapters listed below):
Andrea ANC 750
High Quality binaural microphone with active noise cancellation. Learn more ...
Price: $
55.95
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Andrea ANC 700
High Quality monaural microphone with active noise canceling system. Learn more ...
Price: $
46.95
|
Radio Shack "Sennheiser Knock-off"
A Radio Shack microphone very similar to the Sennheiser ME3. Learn more ....
Price:$
49.95
|
Sennheiser ME3/Andrea USB Adapter
Professional quality speech recognition microphone with outstanding accuracy and noise cancellation. Learn more ...
Price: $
189.00
|
TheBoom "O"
A very high quality monaural headset microphone with excellent accuracy and noise cancellation. Learn more ...
Price: $
105.00
|
TheBoom V4
Similar to the "O" but ear mounted and highly comfortable. Learn more ...
Price: $
149.95
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TheBoom Quiet
A high quality active noise canceling headset microphone useful to both the audiophile and speech recognition software user. Learn more ...
Price: $
275.00
|
VXI TalkPro Express
A simple, inexpensive headset microphone. Learn more ...
Price: $
43.00
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VXI TalkPro
A simple, inexpensive monaural headset microphone with VXI's translator technology. Learn more ...
Price: $
46.00
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Sound Adapters:
If you already have a microphone and are having troubles using it with your Mac or if you prefer to accomplish the analog to digital conversion outside of your computer, the use of one of these USB Adapters is ideal. Each plugs into any available USB port and accepts the standard 3.5 mm audio plugs for mic in and sound out associated with standard headset microphones. Each has been tested and works great with Apple computers.
Andrea USB Sound Adapter
 THIS IS THE PREFERRED SOUND ADAPTER TO USE WITH THE SENNHEISER ME3, BUT WORKS WITH ALL ANALOG MICROPHONES SOLD ON THIS SITE
This is a simple and reliable sound adapter to use when you have concerns about whether your computer's internal sound card is adequate for the task. When using this adapter the analog to digital conversion occurs outside of your computer and the digital signal enters your computer through a USB slot. Please note that this is a monaural device and directs only the microphone in signal through the USB. If you are using a microphone with speakers, you will need to engage the speaker plug directly into the computer's speaker jack.
Instructions for using a USB sound adapter
Andrea USB Sound Adapter
Usual Retail: $49.95 Our Price: $
35.00
Buddy 6G USB Sound Adapter
 This is InSynch Speech Technologies' 6th generation of USB adapter, designed to replace the on-board sound card on your PC or Mac. Outwardly it appears identical to it predecessor, the 5G. The two important differences are:
- It appears to have a lower noise ceiling, so it will provide better speech to noise ratios when used with Dragon NaturallySpeaking
- It is compatible with the Sennheiser ME3 Microphone (previously only the monoplex Andrea USB adapter and Monoplex VXI USB adapters were directly compatible with the ME3)
The advantage of this device is that it is compatible with every microphone commonly used with speech recognition software, including the Sennheiser ME3. Like other USB adapters, the prime purpose is to affect the analog to digital conversion outside of your pc and free of potential electrical interference from other pc components.
Features:
- Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 compliant interface for audio devices
- Duplex operation (color-coded microphone and speaker connection
- Convenient mute switch for the microphone and amber light to indicate when muted
- Power on indicator with steady green light
- Accommodates monaural or stereo output
- Supported operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS 9.04 or higher
Additional information:
Visit the manufacturer's web page
View Manufacturer's Specification Sheet
Instructions for using a USB sound adapter
MSRP: $49.95
Our Price: $
40.00
Andrea PureAudio Duplex USB Adapter
 This is Andrea's latest contribution to the speech recognition world and is a top class in every way. It is small, works beautifully, and relatively inexpensive. It is about the size of thumb drive and has input jacks for both the microphone and speaker plug from your headset microphone. Unique to this device is employment of Pure Audio noise reduction algorithms. The result is extraordinarily low noise ceilings and excellent results with speech recognition products.
Although Andrea previously included a mini CD with an audio software package including Audio Commander, Audio Wizard, and Voice Center, they now provide access to this software using via web download. Please see the link below for details on these products - none are needed in order to use this device with speech recognition software.
Additional Information:
Special Note: A few users have had troubles with the drivers that come with this device and Andrea has posted updated drivers for the Pure Audio series of products at this location: Software Update for USB Audio Products. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
Comments: This seems to be a remarkably good product and works extremely well with speech recognition software. It clearly has lower noise ceilings than other USB sound adapters (see sample Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech/noise ratio obtained with an Andrea 91 microphone below). Please note, though, that this microphone is not compatible with the Sennheiser ME3 unless used with an Andrea P-100 power plug adapter. It is fully compatible with every other microphone we sell, including the UmeVoice (theBoom) microphones.
MSRP: $49.95
Our Price: $
44.95
 If your budget is extremely tight, consider purchasing a "barely used" version of this product from our stock of returned items. Learn more ...
VXI Duplex USB Sound Adapter
 If you are using an analog microphone plugged directly into your computer's sound card and are not getting the results you expect, it might be that the sound card is not up to the task or performance is being harmed by electrical interference. This is particularly possible in laptops, where the sound card is generally integrated into the motherboard. An external sound adapter does the analog to digital conversion outside of the computer and brings it to your software via an available USB port.
This duplex adapter works with virtually all microphones except the Sennheiser ME3 (for the Sennheiser ME3 we recommend the Andrea USB adapter).
Visit the Manufacturer's Web Site
View instructions for using a USB sound adapter
VXI Duplex USB Adapter
Usual Retail: $49.95 Our Price: $
41.95
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