Instructions for Using the Speech Recognition Solutions Jig

Purpose of Jig:  the jig is intended for use in pushing back the threaded locking ring on a Sennheiser ME Microphone in order to allow the microphone to properly interface with a standard 3.5 mm audio jack as might be found on a USB pod or computer sound card.  The jig is intended for use by microphone dealer or users with needs for multiple Sennheiser ME3 microphones modified for speech recognition use.

Note:  Although this method of forcefully pushing back the locking ring is the standard method that microphone dealers use to “modify” the Sennheiser ME3, this method involves physical alteration of the microphone and may invalidate the original warrantee provided by Sennheiser for this microphone.  The maker of this jig takes no responsibility for damage caused by this device!

Step One:  With the jig sitting on stable flat surface, insert the end of the Sennheiser plug into the slot on the jig and gently push the actual jack into the large portion of the hole in the jig until it is firmly seated at the bottom of the hole (See figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1:  Inserting jack into jig	Figure 2:  Seating jack into jig hole.

Step 2:  Insert the plastic “driving bolt” onto the male end of the jack extending from the jig, allowing it to come in contact with the locking ring (Figure 3).

Step 3:  Using a hammer, gently tap the top of the driving bolt once or twice until the ring is knocked all the way down to the black plastic material below.  Because of the design of the jig and the small hole in the driving bolt, there should be no concern about driving the locking ring down too far.  As small thickened portion of the male plug will be lined up with the outer most portion of the locking ring when it is pushed all the way down. (Figure 4)

Figure 3:  Place “Driving Bolt” in position.	Figure 4:  Drive down locking ring with hammer

Step Four:  Remove the driving bolt from the plug and lift the Sennheiser jack out of the jig (not pictured!)

Caveats: 

1.  Don’t use any more force than necessary as this will cause excessive wear upon the plastic driving bolt and shorten its lifespan.  The amount of force required is minimal and represents little more than the weight of gravity acting upon a small or medium sized hammer.

2.  This is not a high tech device and represents just one way the locking ring can be moved out of the way.

3.  Some people believe that an additional “modification” improving this microphone’s suitability for speech recognition software involves placing a small piece of scotch tape over a small semicircular slit on the side of the microphone housing underneath the foam windscreen.  Reportedly this prevents an echo or reverberation effect and improves quality for speech recognition.  Personally, I have never found this to make a difference, but try it if you like.  Be sure to handle the foam windscreen carefully as you remove and replace it as it costs about $8 to replace if you destroy it.  See figure 5.

Figure 5:  Optional Modification:  Cover slit on microphone housing with scotch tape.

Good luck!