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What
is Active Noise Cancellation?
- Active Noise Canceling or ANC cancels noise by using two microphones,
one pointed to the user, and one pointed away from the user. Electronics
generate an anti-noise signal derived from the away pointing mic
and subtract the noise from the user directed mic, resulting in
clean clear sound.
What is the difference between the NC and ANC
headsets? - There are two main types of headsets, NC and ANC.
NC stands for
Noise Canceling. The NC is cheaper because the microphone noise
canceling is done acoustically, in the microphone, and only a single
microphone is used.
ANC stands
for Active Noise Canceling. The ANC cancels noise by using two
microphones, one pointed to the user, and one pointed away from
the user. Electronics generate an anti-noise signal derived from
the away pointing mic and subtract the noise from the user directed
mic, resulting in clean clear sound.
For normal
quiet office use, NC and ANC are equally good. The ANC is superior
in very high noise environments.
What
is ANR? - Active Noise Reduction is an Andrea technology that
reduces ambient noise heard by the user. The ambient noise is sampled
from a microphone mounted on each ear cup, and built-in electronics
generate an anti-noise signal that cancels the ambient noise. The
ANR is effective at lower frequencies to reduce the hum and droning
of air conditioners, PC fans, etc. It is particularly effective at
reducing the background noise on airplanes. It does not cancel frequencies
in the primary speech range.
When do we know when the APS-100 is needed on a
desktop and with what headset models? - The APS-100 is used with
ANC products only, to provide power for its electronics when the sound
card does not provide enough power. · Any computer bought since
1999 does not need an APS-100 with ANC products. Older computers that
are not SoundBlaster compatible may need the APS-100.
Can I use an APS-100 instead of a T-100 think pad
adapter? - Yes, older IBM ThinkPad computers with the metal ring
around the mic input jack can use the APS-100.
What is AudioCommander for? - AudioCommander
is an audio mixer program similar in functionality to the system Volume
Control program. Using the system Volume Control to adjust the settings
necessary to make a microphone can be very confusing. AudioCommander
makes it easy to get the settings right for the microphone.
How do I uninstall AudioCommander? - This answer
varies depending on whether we are talking about version 1 of AudioCommander,
or version 2.
For
version 2, use "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control
Panel.
Uninstalling
version 1 could cause problems with Windows. Users should not
run the uninstall program.
To determine
which version they have run and click on the upper left corner
of the AudioCommander window and select "About AudioCommander…"
from the drop down menu.
Am
I required to install AudioCommander for the installation of my
headset? - No, it is not required to install AudioCommander.
The user can use the system Volume Control program to adjust the
settings for the headset. If you received an AudioCommander CD with
their non-USB headset, it is version 1. If they want to use AudioCommander,
recommend that they go to www.AudioCommander.com
to get the latest version.
Will AudioCommander overwrite the Microsoft Operating
System volume controls? - No, it will not overwrite the system
Volume Control program. AudioCommander coexists with the system
Volume Control program. After installing AudioCommander you can
use either AudioCommander, or the system Volume Control program
to adjust the audio settings.
Can I use any headset with the AWS-100?
- Yes, ANC or NC.
Could I use the AWS-100 in conjunction with
the PCTI? - Yes.
What are the requirements to use a DA-400 with
my computer? - The DA-400 will work with any computer or audio
device with a 3.5 mm microphone input.
Using the DA-400, when I record my voice it
doesn't sound right. Is the microphone broken? - Insure you
are directly in front of the microphone. The DA-400 is a directional
microphone; it rejects sounds to the side and rear. If you are to
the side or rear the microphone is rejecting your voice so it will
sound distorted or strange.
How does DSDA and PureAudio™
work? - DSDA or Digital Super Directional Array is process that
uses an array of microphones (4 in the DA-400) to form a beam in
front of the microphone that accepts sounds, while rejecting sounds
outside of the beam (to the side and rear).
PureAudio™
is a separate noise reduction process that eliminates constant sounds
such as computer fan noise, air conditioner noise, and air duct
noise. PureAudio™
works in any direction, including directly in front of the microphone.
How far away from the microphone should I be?
-
For the DA-400
(Original) the optimum distance is 18".
For the DA-400 V2 the optimum distance is 18-24".
Optimum distances
are recommended when using the DA-400 for continuous speech recognition
with programs like IBM ViaVoice and Dragon Naturally speaking.
The microphone picks up the keyboard clicking,
what can I do? - Try reorienting the microphone or moving it.
A good place is on top of the computer monitor. On the desk in front
of the keyboard is not a good place since the keyboard is in the
acceptance area of the microphone.
Where are the spec sheets for the headsets?
- Many spec sheets are on-line at www.andreaelectronics.com.
What justifies the variances in pricing if all
of the product descriptions are the same? - There are two main
types of headsets, NC and ANC. The NC is cheaper because the microphone
noise canceling is done acoustically, in the microphone. The ANC
cancels noise by using two microphones, one pointed to the user,
and one pointed away from the user.
Within each
type ANC or NC, there are:
- Mono or Stereo
headset speakers
- Different
microphone booms: (plastic or metal, fixed, adjustable)
- Different
quality speakers.
- Different
quality housings and headbands
When
I "jiggle" the cord I get static? - Check your cable
connections.
When I do a sound check the green line is moving
from the sound recorder box but when I playback I hear static and
a hum. - Check your record volume and sample rate. The default
sample rate in sound recorder is 22,050 Hz, 8-bit mono. At this
setting, recordings will be noisy and distorted. At the very least
change the sample rate to 22,050 Hz 16-bit mono. To change Sound
Recorder sample rates: In Sound Recorder select File, Properties,
set the desired sample rate, and click on "Convert Now".
When I use a telephony site I get echo?
- If the person you are talking to is:
- Listening
to you on a speaker - they need to turn down the speaker volume,
as your voice is picked up by their mic and sent back to you.
- Using a headset
- the headset is coupling your voice from their headset speaker
into their headset mic.
Which
models of the IBM ThinkPad need the T-100? - Older models like
the 760 E, ED, XD with the metal ring around the mic input. Newer
models like the A20 and T21 series have adopted the standard PC
convention so no T100 adapter is needed. However just as on the
PC, ANC products must use the included "Converter Plug"
(P-100 SoundBlaster Adapter).
Is a ThinkPad adapter only needed if the mic
porthole has silver around it? - Yes, the units with a metal
ring combine the mic input and line input into a single jack. Either
a an APS-100 or a T-100 are required to power the microphone (NC
or ANC).
Would the APS-100 work in any case or just if
there is no silver around the mic porthole? - The APS-100 will
work with ANC products in any case.
If I switch the toggle back and forth should
my headset be turning off and on or does the headset always stay
on? - The headset always stays on. The volume adjustment is
for the headset only.
What is this disk that is included with the
MC-100? - AudioCommander is included with some units. This is
not needed for operation of the MC-100. For the latest version of
AudioCommander check www.AudioCommander.com.
What is the signal adapter used for? - The
signal adapter is an attenuator for the microphone input, and will
reduce the signal passing through it. The signal adapter should
not be used unless the microphone input level is too high even with
the microphone volume all the way down. It should not be used on
the speaker output lines as it will significantly lower your speaker
volume.
Why is my speaker volume reduced? - The
signal adapter is reducing your signal. Remove it. It is for the
microphone input only.
Why isn't there an extension cord for the NC-71?
- The NC-71 uses a special plug for use with Apple computers. To
build an extension cord a special jack is required. The tooling
for such a part is expensive, and there has not been enough demand
for this product.
I have an Apple PlainTalk microphone input
on my computer, will the NC-71 work with it? - Yes, the NC-71
is specially made for the PlainTalk interface.
Why is the NC-7100 not compatible with the
CUBE? - IBM ViaVoice for Mac that ships with our NC-7100 USB
headset will not work with a G4 Cube or G4 dual machine. This is
an IBM limitation and has nothing to do with our headset.
Our NC-7100
USB headset does work with the G4 Cube for Internet telephony or
other audio applications. However Apple "speakable items"
is not installed out of the box on the Cube.
I cannot plug the jumper cable into the speaker
jack of my Apple PowerMac G4, what do I do? - For 733MHz G4
machines with digital audio, the NC-7100 plugs into the headphone
jack, not the speaker jack as indicated in the instructions. This
model computer uses digital audio for speaker output and uses a
smaller jack than analog speaker jacks to prevent damage to analog
speakers and headsets.
My PowerBook G4 titanium does not have a speaker
jack, what do I do? - Plug the jumper cable into the headphone
jack.
Do you have a reseller in my area? - Contact
Andrea Sales and Marketing.
When I turn on the headset there is a piercing
sound of feedback for several seconds even though the microphone
is muted. Why? - This should not occur if the unit is connected
directly to your computer. The QW-1000 is not compatible with the
PCTI, and the problem reported may occur with that set-up. If the
unit is connected to the computer and this symptom occurs, the unit
needs to be returned for calibration. A unit may go out of calibration
if it is dropped onto a hard surface. Feedback from the noise canceling
mic and the headset speaker cause this problem.
When do I need the P-100? - The P-100 is
needed for ANC products only. It is included in the box with all
ANC products. ANC products must use this product with all new PC's.
What is the difference between the PCTI and
the PCTI II? - The PCTI has a switch to select audio from the
PC, the telephone, or BOTH. The PCTI also can select either an electret
or carbon telephone mic input. The current standard telephone mic
is electret. Carbon telephone mics were used on rotary dial phones.
The PCTI 2 can only select PC OR telephone audio.
I get a hum when "Phone" or "Both"
(PCTI only) is selected, but not when "PC" is selected,
is there anything I can do? - Insure the PC is grounded. Do
not have the PCTI too close to any devices with AC transformers
such as: Desk Radios, AC adapters for Laptops or powered speakers,
fluorescent desk lamps etc. Route AC power cords away from the PCTI
box itself. Power cords next to any PCTI cables are OK.
Is the PCTI compatible with digital phone systems?
- The PCTI will operate on an analog or digital phone system if
the phone has a conventional handset. The PCTI connects to the handset
cable, not to the phone line.
Will the PCTI work with a phone that has a keypad
in the handset? - No.
What are the requirements for using the PCTI?
- Telephone with compatible handset (no keypad in it), PC with microphone
input jack and speaker or line output jack, AC output for included
Power Adapter.
Why can't you tell me if the PCTI will work
with my phone? - There are thousands of phones on the market.
We are compatible with a large number of phones, but not all.
What headsets will work with the PCTI? -
The PCTI works with any analog ANC or NC headset.
The QW1000 is
NOT compatible with the PCTI.
The NC-7100
is a USB microphone and is not compatible with the PCTI.
I hear a radio station through the PCTI, what
can I do? - Wiring in your building is picking up the radio
signal. Usually AM radio stations can be heard. There is no problem
with the PCTI. If the radio station transmitting antenna is close
the problem will be worse.
The grounding
of the computer should be checked. Most desktop computers have 3-prong
AC cords. They need to be plugged into a 3-prong grounded outlet.
The 3 -prong to 2-prong adapters, if used, must have the ground
wire connected. The computer, PCTI and Phone (if it connects to
AC power) should be plugged into the same outlet.·
Some cases can
be solved by adding an RF filter to the phone line. The filters
are available at Radio Shack (P/N 43-150 for approximately $19.95).
This filter will be most effective if the AM frequency is at the
high end of the AM band. If the frequency is mid to low end of the
band a filter that covers that frequency is needed (try a radio/TV
repair store).
If after trying
the above they still have a problem, the only real solution is to
use shielded phone lines (probably not practical to change).
Will the PCTI drive digital speakers? -
No. The PCTI drives analog speakers only.
What is the configuration of the microphone
tip?
| Connection |
NC-71 (Apple*) |
PC99 &
SoundBlaster |
Old style
PC Soundcard |
| Tip |
Power |
Mono Output |
Power &
Output |
| Ring |
Mono Output |
Power |
No connect |
| Sleeve |
Ground |
Ground |
Ground |
* This meets
the Apple PlainTalk microphone specification and is a longer plug
than the standard Audio plug.
Should the color of the plug match the color
of the jack on my sound card? - Not always. Make sure the icons
molded on the plug match the icons on the computer. The "standard"
for color coding microphone and headset jacks has changed over the
years. Check your computer or sound card manual for the correct
connections.
The PC99 standard
as followed by many computer makers is:
- Microphone
input is "pink" (sometimes looks red)
- Speaker Output
is "orange"·
- Line Output
is "Lime" (sometimes looks green)
The current
Andrea Headsets have a "pink" plug that goes into the
microphone input. The Headset speaker plug is "orange"
and connects to the "speaker output" or "line output"
of the computer's sound card.
What is the difference between "speaker
output" and "line output" from the sound card?
- The "speaker output has higher drive capability (more power)
than the "line output." The "speaker output"
is capable of directly driving 8-Ohm speakers. The line output cannot
directly drive 8-Ohm speakers, but usually can drive the higher
impedance speakers of a headset. Powered Speakers include an amplifier
and can operate from a line output. Older PC's had both a speaker
output and line output from the sound card. Most new PC's have powered
speakers and therefore only have a "line output" plug
on the computer.
What size plugs are on Andrea Headsets?
- All Andrea Headsets have 3.5mm plugs (1/8"). All are compatible
with PC's. There is a special Apple PlainTalk microphone interface
that requires a longer plug, and uses a line input level instead
of a mic level input. The NC-71 is specially made for Apple computers
with this input
What is this white adapter and why are there
no instructions with it? Under what circumstances is it used
for? The adapter is a signal attenuator. It reduces the microphone
audio level. It is used for some sound cards that require a low
microphone signal, e.g., speech recognition users who are at the
lowest volume setting and still appear to be shouting will need
the S-100.
The Andrea USB microphone is working, but I
cannot hear from the headset speaker(s). - The Andrea NC-7100
and Andrea USB adapters use USB for microphone input, but use your
computer's internal sound output capability to drive the headset
speaker(s). The short jumper cable must be connected from the computer
to the Andrea USB adapter module. The publication included with
the Andrea product shows how to correctly connect this cable.
I've followed the install procedure correctly,
and verified the drivers are installed but cannot record using my
microphone in Microsoft Sound Recorder or another sound application.
a) Now
that you have an additional sound input device (your existing sound
card is one) you may need to select which device will be used. To
change between sound card and USB microphone input:
- Click Start,
Settings, Control Panel, and run (double click) the "Multimedia
application". ·
- Select the
"Audio" Tab if not already selected. · `
- In the "Recording
Section click on the drop down box for "Preferred device:"
Select "USB Audio Device" to select your Andrea USB
microphone as the input device.
b) The
microphone record level may be too low or muted.
- Click Start,
Settings, Control Panel, and run (double click) the "Multimedia
application".
- Select the
"Audio" Tab if not already selected.
- In the "Recording
Section click on the microphone with slider button.
- Verify the
mute box is unchecked.
- Adjust the
record slider up if needed to increase the record level.
Which
of your products are certified with IBM and Dragon? - We are
as of 4/2001:
IBM ViaVoice tested
and compatible with:
- PC Systems:
NC-8, NC-12, NC-50, NC-60, NC-61, NC-80, NC-110K, NC-105, NC-110A,
NC-110B, NC-1212, ANC 100, ANC 200, ANC 300*, ANC 500, ANC-600,
ANC700, and DA-400*, NC-7100
- Apple Systems:
NC-71 and NC-7100
Dragon Systems
Certified:
- NC-50, NC-80,
NC-8, ANC-550, NC-110, NC-11
Additional products
are being tested and will be added in the future.
* for low noise
environments
I bought a new headset and my recognition accuracy
went down. What is wrong? - Every time you change microphones
you must rerun the Audio setup wizard to set your microphone level,
then re-train to get optimum performance. This is needed even when
replacing a headset of the same model.
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