EkaScribe is designed to work seamlessly with your system’s built-in microphone, and in ideal conditions, that is often enough. If you are in a quiet, private consultation room with minimal background noise and good acoustics, EkaScribe can capture conversations effectively without any additional hardware.

However, in real-world clinical environments, achieving these ideal conditions is not always practical.

Between busy OPDs, shared spaces, ambient noise, and varying room layouts, relying only on a laptop or basic mic can lead to missed patient responses and incomplete notes. That is why, in most cases, we recommend using an external microphone to ensure both doctor and patient voices are captured clearly and consistently.

Why a Good Microphone Matters ✅

In a real consultation:

• The doctor and patient sit across each other
• Both voices are equally important
• Conversations are dynamic and natural

If your setup only captures one side clearly, EkaScribe may miss critical context, especially patient symptoms, responses, or clarifications.

A standard earphone mic or lapel mic is usually optimized for single-speaker audio, which makes it unsuitable for consultations where both participants need to be heard equally.

Ideal Microphone Requirements

To get the best results, your microphone should:

• Capture audio clearly within a 3–5 meter range
• Pick up multiple speakers simultaneously
• Work reliably in a clinic or consultation room setup

Recommended Microphone Specifications

You do not need studio-grade equipment, but a few key specifications can make a big difference:

• Pickup Pattern: Omnidirectional (360° audio capture)
• Range: Effective voice pickup within 3 to 5 meters
• Connectivity: USB plug-and-play preferred for easy setup
• Frequency Response: Around 50 Hz to 16 kHz is sufficient for speech clarity
• Sensitivity: Able to capture normal speaking voices across a table
• Compatibility: Works smoothly with your system (Windows, Mac, or tablet setups)

Best Microphone Types for This Setup

Omnidirectional Conference Microphones

These microphones are designed to:

• Capture sound equally from all directions
• Work well in face-to-face conversations
• Provide consistent pickup even if the patient is sitting a few feet away

They are ideal for consultation rooms where both doctor and patient are seated across a table.

USB Boundary / Tabletop Microphones

These microphones sit flat on a surface and:

• Capture audio across a wide area
• Are optimized for table conversations
• Maintain clarity across multiple speakers

Perfect for desk-based consultations or compact clinic rooms.

What to Avoid (Important) 🚫

Avoid these microphone types as they can reduce transcription quality:

• ❌ Lapel or collar mics, since they capture only one person
• ❌ Earphones with mic, since they are built for calls, not room audio
• ❌ Highly directional cardioid mics, since they ignore off-axis voices
• ❌ Laptop built-in mic, since it has limited range and inconsistent clarity

Best Placement Tips

Even a good mic won’t work if placed incorrectly:

• Place the mic centrally on the table
• Keep it within 1–2 meters of both doctor and patient
• Ensure both speakers are facing the mic direction

Avoid placing near:

• Near keyboards, fans, or other noise sources
• Too close to one speaker and far from the other

Final Thoughts

While EkaScribe works well with your system microphone in quiet and controlled environments, real-world clinical settings often introduce challenges that impact audio quality.

Using the right external microphone, along with proper placement, can significantly improve transcription accuracy and completeness.

A small upgrade in your audio setup can make a noticeable difference in how effectively EkaScribe captures and understands real consultations.

Updated on: 15/04/2026