Description
The problem is usually not the AI
AI Can Only Transcribe What the Microphone Clearly Hears
A laptop microphone positioned at one end of a conference table may hear the closest participant clearly while distant speakers sound quiet, hollow, or incomplete. The Martel system places eight microphones throughout the room so the audio source is closer to everyone speaking.
See the difference
One Microphone Versus Eight Distributed Microphones
| Comparison | Typical Laptop Microphone | Martel 8-Microphone System |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup locations | One microphone at the computer | Eight microphones around the room |
| Long tables | Distant speakers may be harder to capture | Place microphones closer to participants |
| Placement flexibility | Computer position controls the pickup location | Eight included 25-foot extension cables |
| Live monitoring | Usually no dedicated monitoring output | Built-in headphone monitoring |
| Sensitivity control | Limited hardware adjustment | Adjustable microphone sensitivity |
| Larger-room expansion | Not designed for expansion | Expandable up to 24 microphones |
Complete professional package
Eight Microphones, Interface, Cables, Monitoring, and Hard Case
At the current sale price, the system costs less than $88 per included microphone before counting the professional USB interface, mixer, extension cables, power adapter, sensitivity controller, monitoring connection, audio output, carrying case, and manual.
AI meeting and legal ASR compatibility
Professional Room Audio for Today’s Transcription Platforms
Use the Martel system as an external USB microphone or recorded-audio source wherever the compatible application supports that input workflow.
External microphone input
Otter.ai
Supply Otter with distributed omnidirectional room audio instead of depending entirely on the computer’s built-in microphone.
Selectable USB microphone
Zoom Workplace AI
Feed the meeting’s room audio into compatible Zoom conferencing, recording, captioning, and AI features.
Zoom Workplace AI was previously marketed under the Zoom AI Companion name.
Legal automatic speech recognition
Stenograph MAXScribe
Provide professional multi-microphone room audio for compatible MAXScribe recording, digital-reporting, and Phoenix speech-to-text workflows.
Also designed for compatible external-microphone and audio-input workflows in:
Third-party software features may require compatible audio routing, hardware, permissions, administrator settings, host settings, cloud recording, internet access, or a qualifying software plan.
Professional applications
Built for Group Conversations That Matter
AI Business Meetings
Provide supported AI notes, summaries, captions, and transcription tools with distributed room audio.
Courtrooms and Hearings
Position microphones throughout the room for supported legal recording and transcription workflows.
Legal Depositions
Place microphones near attorneys, witnesses, court reporters, and other participants.
MAXScribe Digital Reporting
Supply room audio for compatible Stenograph MAXScribe and Phoenix ASR workflows.
Board and Council Meetings
Cover long tables and multi-participant government or organizational meetings.
Interviews and Focus Groups
Capture multiple participants for supported analysis, research, and transcription.
Hear what the software receives
AI Input, Optional Recording, and Live Monitoring
The Martel interface sends the microphone mix to the connected computer while providing a dedicated headphone connection for real-time monitoring.
Setup in Under 60 Seconds
Once familiar with the connections, the portable system can be positioned and connected without a permanent room installation.
Expand Up to 24 Microphones
The daisy-chain microphone design allows additional coverage for larger rooms, longer tables, hearings, and training facilities.
One Computer Connection
Instead of configuring eight separate USB devices, the combined microphone mix reaches the computer through one USB audio connection.
Professional audio experience since 1957
Originally Engineered for Professional Legal Audio
Martel Electronics has served court reporters, legal professionals, transcription users, government organizations, and professional audio customers for generations. That room-audio experience is now available for modern AI, ASR, digital-reporting, and meeting workflows.
Order with confidence
Professional Equipment Backed by Martel
Frequently asked questions
AI, ASR, Recording, and Compatibility Questions
Does the system work with Otter.ai?
Otter supports compatible external microphones. Select the Martel USB audio source inside the computer or Otter workflow and confirm that microphone permission has been granted.
Can it be used with Stenograph MAXScribe and Phoenix ASR?
The Martel system can provide multi-microphone room audio for compatible MAXScribe recording, digital-reporting, and Phoenix transcription workflows. The precise configuration can depend on the selected audio input, routing method, MAXScribe settings, and computer configuration.
Does it work with Zoom Workplace AI?
The system can provide meeting microphone audio to a compatible Zoom computer or room setup. Zoom’s AI, captioning, recording, and summary features depend on the customer’s plan, host settings, permissions, language, and availability.
Is Otter.ai, Zoom, MAXScribe, or Phoenix ASR included?
No third-party software subscription or license is included unless specifically listed on the Martel order. This product includes the professional microphone, interface, cabling, monitoring, output, and carrying equipment.
Can I record and monitor the audio simultaneously?
The hardware sends USB audio to the connected computer while providing live headphone monitoring. Computer recording depends on the operating system, application permissions, audio settings, and recording software.
How many microphones are included?
Eight omnidirectional microphones and eight 25-foot extension cables are included. The daisy-chain system can be expanded up to 24 microphones for larger applications.
Will this guarantee a perfect AI or Phoenix transcript?
No microphone can guarantee perfect recognition. Results depend on placement, speaker volume, overlapping speech, background noise, room acoustics, accents, computer settings, and the transcription engine. The Martel system is designed to provide a stronger and more evenly distributed room-audio source.
Complete professional system from Martel Electronics
Stop Asking One Laptop Microphone to Hear an Entire Room
Give Otter.ai, Zoom Workplace AI, Stenograph MAXScribe with Phoenix ASR, and compatible transcription software eight professionally positioned pickup points instead of one distant computer microphone.
Complete System: $699.99 With Free Shipping
Important: Users are responsible for complying with applicable recording-consent laws, courtroom rules, confidentiality requirements, organizational policies, data-retention requirements, and AI-service terms. AI- and ASR-generated transcripts should be reviewed for accuracy and should not be treated as an official or certified legal record unless expressly permitted by the applicable authority.
Otter.ai, Zoom, Zoom Workplace, Stenograph, MAXScribe, Phoenix ASR, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Whisper, Microsoft, Copilot, Teams, Google, Google Meet, Dragon, Webex, Descript, Notta, Rev, Trint, and other product names are trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Their mention describes potential interoperability and does not imply endorsement, certification, sponsorship, or inclusion. Third-party features, plans, names, and availability may change.
Specs + In the Box
Complete AI Microphone System Package Includes:
- ~ Martel Professional Audio USB Interface
- ~ 8 Omni-Directional Voice Recognition Microphones
- ~ 8x 25-foot Microphone Extension Cables
- ~ Mixer with Real-Time Monitoring Features
- ~ USB Output Cable + USB Power Adapter
- ~ Microphone Sensitivity Controller
- ~ Audio Output Jack for PA Speaker Integration
- ~ Durable Hard Shell Carrying Case
- ~ User Manual