Short definition
A microphone station is a fixed microphone position within a conference or discussion system – usually with a microphone, small speaker, and talk button.
Detailed explanation
Microphone stations are the participant positions in a discussion or conference system. A typical station combines a gooseneck microphone, a small speaker, and a talk or request-to-speak button in a single unit. Participants use these buttons to signal they want to speak; the central control determines when the microphone is activated.
Depending on the equipment level, there are delegate stations (request to speak) and chair stations with additional rights – such as priority to mute other microphones or control the speaker list. Higher-end stations often also integrate language selection (channel selection for interpretation, with a headphone jack) and voting functions. This turns the microphone station into a compact interface between participant, microphone system, and interpreting system.
Relevance in this subject area
Microphone stations bring order to discussions with many participants. Combined with language selection, they're also the control point through which delegates listen to their interpreting language.
Practical example
In a meeting hall, each of 60 delegates has a microphone station with a headphone jack. They press the button to request to speak, and use a dial to choose whether to hear the original or one of four interpreting languages.
Related terms
Microphone system, Microphone (conference), TED voting system, Receiver, Conference technology