Stay connected and enjoy a conversation via Skype or Face Time with Blue Microphones’ Tiki USB Microphone with Noise Cancelation
An ultra compact USB microphone that improves the intelligibility of online conversations
Design and look
Fashioned to the size of a standard USB flash drive, Tiki is a cable-free speaker that can be plugged directly into a laptop’s USB port for instantaneous setup. It is versatile and can be used on both PCs and Macs
Brian Biggott, CTO of Blue Microphones says:
“As we increasingly rely on our computers for online calls, both for work and for fun, it becomes obvious how easily background noise and poor intelligibility can ruin your conversation. That’s why we are excited to release Tiki, designed with noise-cancelling technology never before used in a microphone. Tiki is the simplest way to ensure that your message—not your surroundings—is delivered loud and clear,” said. “As a microphone from Blue, Tiki is also specifically designed to deliver professional-quality audio for portable recording of vocal tracks or instruments.”
How to use Tiki
Setup
Tiki requires no drivers and is plug-and-play with both PC and Mac; simply connect it to a USB port (a docking cable is provided for an extended connection where necessary).
For conference calls and chats
The Speech Mode uses voice isolation to bring a voice to the forefront while the noise-cancelling technology simultaneously reduces unwanted, competing background noise such as computer fans, keyboard typing and ambient sound. To capture the highest quality audio, Tiki uses front-and-back facing microphone capsules that actively locate your orientation to the mike for use with multiple speakers or as you move around the room.
Tiki’s Intelligent Speech Mode also includes intelligent mute which can automatically soft-mute the microphone when you are not speaking or when conversation is not detected. By muting your microphone, intelligent mute eliminates any contribution of background and computer noises. When you resume speaking, Tiki instantly detects your voice and automatically un-mutes, bringing you back into the conversation.
Audio Perfect
Tiki’s Natural Recording Mode captures a wide range of sources from vocals to acoustic guitar to podcasting; it uses custom condenser capsules and professional-grade preamp circuitry, and records high-quality audio with exceptional fidelity. Tiki’s two modes give any musician, podcaster or Skype user the versatility to quickly choose the best option for the situation.
Audio intelligence through design
Tiki packs a significant amount of proprietary audio intelligence within its compact design. It is engineered to listen with the intelligence of human hearing and employs a suite of patent-pending algorithms custom-designed in collaboration with iZotope, an expert in audio processing. The iZotope’s Adaptive Noise Reduction (ANR) is specifically tailored for Tiki’s functionality. It analyses the incoming audio stream to detect and suppress undesired background noise, while the Key Click Reduction (KCR) is specially developed to reduce typing noises by ‘grabbing’ rapid rise sounds such as keyboard clicks.
Tiki’s dual facing capsules continuously monitor audio from both sides of the microphone, making a decision almost every second to differentiate between voice and unwanted noise. Powered by a Blackfin™ digital signal processor, Tiki runs approximately 400 million operations per second, detecting, counteracting and ultimately capturing and boosting your voice over background noise.
Price
£59.99 including VAT,
Where to buy Tiki
Buy online at the Apple store.To find out more, visit www.bluemic.com/tiki.
Audio samples are live on the company website.