Enhance Your Beam Notes Experience with External Microphones

Capturing clear audio is crucial for getting the most accurate results out of Beam Notes. While your device's built-in microphone often works well, certain environments benefit significantly from an external microphone.

Use this guide to troubleshoot your audio setup or find a microphone that fits your specific workflow.

Step 1: Optimise Your Current Setup (Before Buying Anything)

Often, a few quick adjustments can fix audio issues without spending money:

• Placement is Key: Place your device on a hard, flat surface. Keep it central and at an equal distance from all speakers.

• Clear the Line of Sight: Microphones cannot "hear" through physical barriers like Perspex partitions or laptop screens.

• Silence Interruptions: Turn off device notifications or mute sounds to prevent recording interruptions.

• Check Software Conflicts: Features like "Echo Reduction" or "Noise Suppression" in apps like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet can sometimes over-filter your audio. Try toggling them off to see if clarity improves.

• The Classic Fix: Give your device a quick restart to clear up lingering hardware glitches.

Step 2: Identify What You Need to Solve

External microphones are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Choose your approach based on your primary challenge:

What Microphones CAN Solve	What Microphones CANNOT Solve
Isolating a single voice in busy environments (e.g., busy offices or clinics).	Simultaneously cutting background noise and capturing a large group room.
Boosting low volume from older phones or laptops.	Overcoming native restrictions in conferencing tools (like muting participants).
Capturing group meetings where people are spread out.	Fixing a device that has broken internal audio recording capabilities.

Step 3: Microphones Found Helpful by Other Partners

The following options have undergone basic internal testing at Beam.

⚠️ Important Note on Mobile Phones: If you choose a wired "Aux cable" microphone, ensure your phone supports audio input through that jack. Many modern smartphones require a USB-C or Lightning adapter to recognise an external microphone.

For Group & Hybrid Meetings (Multi-Person)

• Jabra Speak2 75 (★★★★★ | ~£199.99)

  • Best For: Hybrid or in-person group meetings.

  • Why we like it: Certified for Teams, Zoom, and Google. It features a 360° light-ring for real-time audio quality feedback and picks up sound up to 2.5 meters away. Offers USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

• Anker Conference Speaker (★★★★☆ | ~£79.99)

  • Best For: Budget-friendly in-person group meetings.

  • Why we like it: Lightweight, 24-hour battery life, and works seamlessly with Zoom and Google Meet via Bluetooth/USB-C. (Note: Does not explicitly state Teams certification).

For One-to-One / Mobile Practitioners

• Hollyland Lark C1 (★★★★★ | ~£69.99)

  • Best For: High mobility and moving around the room.

  • Why we like it: Wireless Bluetooth design with an impressive range. Features optional built-in noise cancellation and an 8-hour battery life.

• Sony ECM-LV1 or Olympus ME-52 (★★★★☆ | ~£28.00 - £30.00)

  • Best For: Simple, close-range plug-and-play.

  • Why we like it: Wired clip-on microphones. The Sony features a pivoting head, and the Olympus has a twin-headed input to better capture a second person nearby.

• Samson Go Mic (★★★☆☆ | ~£34.99)

  • Best For: Laptop-based dictation or static video calls.

  • Why we like it: A compact USB microphone that clips directly to your laptop screen surround. (Note: Requires an adapter for newer MacBooks).

🔍 How to Choose: Ask These 4 Questions

Before purchasing, double-check your workflow requirements:

1. What is the setting? (Individual dictation vs. a large meeting room).

2. What is the hardware? (Will it plug into a laptop, or does it need to fit a specific mobile phone port?).

3. Wired or Wireless? (Do you need to walk around the room, or sit statically?).

4. Is there background noise? (If yes, look for Noise-Cancelling/Isolating mics. If no, look for Audio Boosting/Omnidirectional mics).

Sourcing Hardware via Beam

Choosing audio hardware can be complex. While we are happy to share what works for other partners, Beam does not manufacture or formally consult on hardware.

If you need assistance procuring these items, we operate under the following principles:

• One-Time Sourcing: We can purchase hardware on your behalf as a one-time courtesy and invoice you back.

• No Inventory Control: Beam does not stock these items and cannot act as an ongoing hardware vendor or tech support for third-party mics.

• Cost-Plus Basis: Sourced hardware will include a small administrative fee added to the base cost.

Still having trouble?

If you’ve optimised your settings and are still experiencing poor audio quality with Beam Notes, please get in touch with our team via Live chat or [e-mail].