The Voice Tracker™ I Array Microphone was the original implementation of our patented, automatically and electronically steering, “listening beam” technology. It has been in production since 2002, and has proven to be extremely rugged and reliable.
The Voice Tracker I scanning beamforming array microphone has been proven to provide high quality audio coverage over a large area; and it does it at an affordable price.
The Voice Tracker I has been successful in lecture/ meeting recording and conferencing applications for the following reasons:
30 ft, 360 degree pick up range
Captures questions from the class as well as the lecturer as he moves around the room.
Captures all the talkers around a large conferencing table.
Easy to use
All the intelligence is inside the microphone.
Just connect it to the computer by 3.5mm mini-stereo or USB and select the Voice Tracker I as the default microphone.
No set up of multiple beams or multiple microphones/mixers is required
Reliable
More than 18,000 sold.
Less than ½ of 1 percent failure rate
Most are still running, some as long as 15 years.
Low Cost
Under $300
Expandable
For greater coverage, Voice Trackers can be combined using 3.5mmYs or simple mixers.
Wall powered
No batteries that can die out, ruining recording
Flexible mounting alternatives
Built in ceiling/wall mount
Or can sit on a table.
To get an idea of the Pick-up range, see a video of one Voice Tracker I located in the front of a stadium lecture hall:
To get an idea of the sound quality, listen to a recording of the Voice Tracker in a 30 foot room:
The Voice Tracker I accomplished its low-cost, high quality performance through our patented single beam scanning technology.
Scanning “Listening Beam”
Unlike fixed beam array microphones, that have a limited “listen direction”, the Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker I automatically locates the active talker and electronically steers a “listening beam” in that direction. It can direct its “listening beam” over a 360 degree range, creating a wide field of view. For Meeting Recording or Lecture Capture or Conferencing Applications, the Voice Tracker™ Array Microphones capture all the participants since the “listening beam” moves from one talker to the next in milliseconds. For speech recognition applications, it is no longer necessary to sit rigidly in front of the microphone. The user is free to lean backwards, sideways, or even move around. Multiple fixed beam array microphones create a wider field of view than a single fixed beam mic, but the multiple beams need individually set up, which will need to be changed if the location of the talker’s changes.
The Voice Tracker I is an effective microphone for VoIP Conferencing rooms
The Voice Tracker I can be used with products that have good AECs, like Zoom and Skype
The Voice Tracker II, which has its own AEC, can be used with product that don’t have a robust AEC
Since the Voice Tracker is just a microphone, the customer can select the best in class camera and loudspeaker.
Additional applications for the Voice Tracker I array microphone:
Automatic speech recognition
Hands free/headset free ASR at distances of several feet
Security
Connect to cameras as an auxiliary mic for improved audio pick up
Telemedicine
The Voice Tracker’s low cost and small footprint make it usable when a large number of installations are desired
Courtroom and deposition recording
Tracks lawyers as they move about.
Voice Tracker™ I Specifications
Range:
30+ feet for meeting recording (depends on acoustic characteristics of the room.)
Analog Output:
(6ft male/male audio cable included)
Mic level
3.5mm ministereo jack
Same signal on tip & ring
500 ohm output impedance
Frequency Response:
100Hz to 11,250 Hz
Physical Dimensions:
Length: 18″
Height: 2.5″
Weight: 2.5lbs
Power Equipment:
(wall-powered converter included)
6V DC
400 ma
Center Pin Positive
Voice Tracker™ I Features
Automatic electronic steering of “listening beam” to talker location
Selectable steering limits (90 degrees and 180 degrees) for speech recognition and Meeting recording modes
Selectable LDS™ to reduce annoying interference of additional talkers during speech recognition or feedback during teleconferencing
Two stage noise reduction (spatial filtering and noise reduction processing)
8 element, 18 inch long array for maximum range
5 element “in range” light to indicate location of chosen talker and sufficiency of signal
Microphone tilt capability to facilitate desktop, monitor top, ceiling, or wall mounting
Weight: 1.5 pounds(excluding wall power supply)
Power: converter from 120V AC to 6V DC included
Compatible with a variety of operating systems including:
Microsoft : Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 10
Unlike fixed beam array microphones, that have a limited “listen direction”, the Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker I automatically locates the active talker and electronically steers a “listening beam” in that direction. It can direct its “listening beam” over a 360 degree range, creating a wide field of view. For Meeting Recording or Lecture Capture or Conferencing Applications, the Voice Tracker™ Array Microphones capture all the participants since the “listening beam” moves from one talker to the next in milliseconds. For speech recognition applications, it is no longer necessary to sit rigidly in front of the microphone. The user is free to lean backwards, sideways, or even move around. Multiple fixed beam array microphones create a wider field of view than a single fixed beam mic, but the multiple beams need individually set up, which will need to be changed if the location of the talker’s changes.
Voice Tracker™ I User Instructions
