t410 new noise cancellation microphone cancels everything

[msteudel]

The new noise cancellation microphones in the t410 are horrible. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Is there a way to turn that feature off and just have a regular microphone?

[Weogo]

Hi Msteudel,

Here's how noise cancelling microphones work:

A speaker/singer talks/sings into a microphone at a VERY close distance - in the audio world we call this lips-to-the-grill.
The main microphone element picks up your voice, and ambient noise.
A second mic element picks up mainly just ambient noise.
Signal polarity on the second element is reversed, both signals are combined, the out-of-polarity noise on the second element cancels most of the ambient noise on the first element, and you have just your voice coming out at the end.

If the T410 has a noise cancelling mic mounted on the laptop, it will only work with your mouth very close to it.
Doesn't sound like a good design idea to me.

Good health, Weogo

[msteudel]

Hmmm ... well that at least gives me an idea of how to use it. The two mics are a couple of inches apart from your description it doesn't seem like they are placed optimally. Also it ruins the ability to use it as a speakerphone as the speaker has to be directly in front of the mics for it to work ok.