Review: USB Logitech Microphone

The USB Logitech Microphone is one of the clearest digital computer microphones on the market in its price range, currently under $25 dollars.

Purchased for two primary reasons, the USB Logitech Microphone replaced a headset model damaged while I was asleep, testament to a boring audio book, and additionally sought for the purpose of adding voice and recordings to video clips.

Though I hadn't intended to use the USB Logitech Microphone for voice recognition software, I gave it a run in Microsoft Office 2003 and was quite pleased with the results.

Of note, my experience differs from CNET in this regard, and often does for the record, who apparently found the USB Logitech Microphone lacks good speech recognition capability, when tested under Vista. I tested with XP, possess a relatively soft voice and yet the 85 to 90 percent accuracy rate encouraged me to use speech recognition software more regularly.

Though the USB Logitech Microphone wasn't tested in voice chat, this computer microphone is Skype™ certified and should provide optimal results. The USB Logitech Microphone receives good reviews for chat applications and is well designed for that purpose.

USB Logitech Microphone Installation

Installing the USB Logitech Microphone takes less time then it does to unpack the product, seriously. The packing is quite secure.

To install, simply plug this computer microphone into a USB port and it is ready to use. It can be tested easily with Microsoft Sound Recorder, provided as a Windows accessory program.

The only installation issue to be concerned with is if you have a prior audio driver installed for voice. While some programs recognize the USB Logitech Microphone driver immediately, ultimately the default settings in the Sound and Audio Devices menu required a change to the Logitech driver and this setting can be found under the Windows Control Panel.

Using the USB Logitech Microphone

The USB Logitech Microphone is a stand-up model that rests on a 3.5" silver base equipped with an off button that lights up when the microphone is turned on.

An 8-ft cord accompanies the stylish USB Logitech Microphone and adjusts easily on a pivot base.

Good quality digital sound may be recorded from up to 12" or so inches away. For narration or sound you wish to publish, a closer range may produce superior results.

The lack of a volume control on the USB Logitech Microphone has not been an issue as that can be controlled by software in Windows or other programs. Yet some users may desire this function.

Background noise is successfully minimized by the USB Logitech Microphone without problematic canceling or breaks in recording. This is especially true when outside noises are a problem.

In recording a to be published video, the microphone picked up my typing on a keyboard and my keyboard is noisier than average I now realize. So when narrating a screencast that involves typing, you may need to work with volume and better microphone placement.

Conclusion

The true digital quality provided by USB and the quality of the USB Logitech Microphone should more than satisfy the average user and provides an affordable entry-level computer microphone suitable for podcasting, narration and video clips.

Additional USB Logitech Microphone Specifications:

Frequency response: 100-16kHz

Input sensitivity: -67dBV/ubar, -47dBV/Pascal +/-4dB

8-foot shielded cord with USB connector

Connector: USB 1.1