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[Nathan Riddle]

Any thoughts/suggestions on a beamforming microphone system for a zoom meeting setup?

There are decent Omni's out there, but what about a higher-end dedicated mic system.

Sure directly micing people is better, but not everyone wants to do that.

Needs:
Small/portable
USB
Can pickup anyone speaking

Wants:
Actively minimize feedback
Focus on whoever's speaking
Autogain
~$200?

[Luke Geis]

Sennheiser has a really neat ceiling tile microphone that has something like 17 mics in it. Does an amazing job! But it is many times your budget. I do not know of any other beam forming or planar based models that are truly effective and affordable. As for also being USB, good luck. The Yeti made by Blue is a pretty darn good computer mic and is less than your budget and has several pickup patterns ( Omni, Cardioid and figure 8 I believe ). Any way, let us know what you find.

[Tim McCulloch]

Edit- never mind.

[Corey Scogin]

MiniDSP has these array mics. I haven't tried one but I'm curious how well they work.
https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/uma-8-16-usb-mic-array

[Keith Broughton]

I installed one of these in a conference room.
Certainly not $200 but not nearly as costly as the Senny.
https://www.nureva.com/audio-conferencing/dual-hdl300

[Mike Caldwell]

Are those mics intended for amplified reinforcement or more for live stream, recording, tele conferencing system.

I was talking with a guy who went to Shure's beamforming mic demo and he said how great it worked but everyone was wearing headphones while they listened to it, no live speakers.

[Keith Broughton]

Are those mics intended for amplified reinforcement or more for live stream, recording, tele conferencing system.

I was talking with a guy who went to Shure's beamforming mic demo and he said how great it worked but everyone was wearing headphones while they listened to it, no live speakers.

They have speakers built in and an AUX input as well a AUX out that can be used for recording and/or other room speakers.
This  install was for teleconferencing so the audio was for listening to inbound and not for local mic re-enforcement.

[Nathan Riddle]

MiniDSP has these array mics. I haven't tried one but I'm curious how well they work.
https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/uma-8-16-usb-mic-array

I too noticed that and would love to try it!

Are those mics intended for amplified reinforcement or more for live stream, recording, tele conferencing system.

I was talking with a guy who went to Shure's beamforming mic demo and he said how great it worked but everyone was wearing headphones while they listened to it, no live speakers.

Live-stream & Zoom Conference, not used for live audio. [though they are asking about that in a completely separate discussion.]

Room is really just a small office, 10x15ft like 8chairs.

I'm suggesting this video camera: https://www.averusa.com/products/conference-camera/cam340plus
And an Atlona USB/HDMI HDBaseT unit.

Beamforming probably isn't necessary for the small room, but they want to use something similar for small-groups and meetings; I imagine if they use it in a larger room the echos and distance between each other (6ft) would be hard on a strictly omni mic, whereas beamforming (if working well; which does even on my laptop) could be a benefit.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Mike Caldwell]

I can't see how the ceiling mounted versions could be used for true amplified reinfourcement, back to why Shure used headphones for their demo.

[Matthias McCready]

Any thoughts/suggestions on a beamforming microphone system for a zoom meeting setup?

There are decent Omni's out there, but what about a higher-end dedicated mic system.

Sure directly micing people is better, but not everyone wants to do that.

Needs:
Small/portable
USB
Can pickup anyone speaking

Wants:
Actively minimize feedback
Focus on whoever's speaking
Autogain
~$200?

Not what you are looking for... however I have been very impressed with the Crown PCC-160. The pickup pattern is pretty incredible. Very natural sounding mic as well. Obviously not USB power and it needs phantom.

I keep finding more uses for the pair I have. On the used market they would be within your budget, and while I don't remember the designers name if memory serves he separated from Crown and now sells his own mic which is supposedly improved and cost less than $350 new.

[ProSoundWeb Community]