I think I am 'doubling-up' on another thread, but I want fresh new information & opinions.
I've heard that some "Calibration Certificates" are not worth the paper they're printed on.
I've also heard that even a simple SM57 is very good (within a range) 🙂
I've heard that some "Calibration Certificates" are not worth the paper they're printed on.
I've also heard that even a simple SM57 is very good (within a range) 🙂
You seem to know the important stuff really. Just ponder your quality requirement (range, +/- dB) and your project intent... buy one and be happy. Its not as critical as one might expect - at least not on an DIY amateur level - even if rather advanced... to have a mic or not is the big difference...
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My understanding is that manufacturers are using ready available mic capsules which seem to be just a few groups regarding frequency response. Based on this I built a dirt cheap mic that can be said descent at least. More knowledgeable people might take this to another level. https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/oxytocin.377909/post-6808373
POM-3535 => -35dB
AOM-5024 => -25dB
Don't worry, any calibration would expire in some time.. calibration is for the time being (only).
It is far from what you'd want for measurement.
Get a MicW M215. Calibration sheet is legit. These capsules are very stable - its not the useless electret stuff.
SM57 ... who is telling that ****... at least get an omni mic for measurements.
SM57 ... who is telling that ****... at least get an omni mic for measurements.
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Like so many people, I am looking at the Dayton Calibrated Microphone > USB and XLR .
My spectrum analyzer is PC/software based.
Is there any advantage in building a phantom power circuit rather than simply going USB ?
My spectrum analyzer is PC/software based.
Is there any advantage in building a phantom power circuit rather than simply going USB ?
Well, USB certainly makes sense if you're using a PC based analyzer. But, going XLR opens the door to using USB based ADCs like "Focusrite".
The thread title is "good measurement microphone".
What you are looking for with the Daytons is "most basic somehow useable measurement microphone".
Define what you want to measure and what you probably want to measure in 10 years. A good microphone lasts your lifetime.
A USB mic is nice when quickly do some in room measurements or Surround amp calibration etc.
For speaker development you need more measurements (e.g. impedance!) and a interface + microphone has benefits.
My EMM6 has suited me fine for years, I have even used it to record live with it with very decent results.
You can't get a better deal for what it is worth unless you wanna spend 10x as much for a good used or new Pro condenser microphone.
The ones I had (AT4031's) from the 90's got stolen and my EMM6 does just as fine as well.
However, nothing really beats a good Pen mic. like an AT4031 very often and are getting more rarer to find these days.
One day I will invest in another pair (AT's), until then I am gonna add another EMM6 or two so that I have a matched pair and try them out again for recording acoustic stuff once in a while, or have them as backups for testing of speakers at different points and angles in one capture eventually. 🙂
Cheers !! 😀
jer 🙂
P.S. I have never used a USB ALLn1 mic, I don't like the concept and not sure about their A/D conversion quality, I am only used to using Pro equipment and tend to stick with it, you get what you pay for but the analog EMM6 is a decent bargain, you just gotta have a small phantom powered mixer or preamp to use it is all.
You can't get a better deal for what it is worth unless you wanna spend 10x as much for a good used or new Pro condenser microphone.
The ones I had (AT4031's) from the 90's got stolen and my EMM6 does just as fine as well.
However, nothing really beats a good Pen mic. like an AT4031 very often and are getting more rarer to find these days.
One day I will invest in another pair (AT's), until then I am gonna add another EMM6 or two so that I have a matched pair and try them out again for recording acoustic stuff once in a while, or have them as backups for testing of speakers at different points and angles in one capture eventually. 🙂
Cheers !! 😀
jer 🙂
P.S. I have never used a USB ALLn1 mic, I don't like the concept and not sure about their A/D conversion quality, I am only used to using Pro equipment and tend to stick with it, you get what you pay for but the analog EMM6 is a decent bargain, you just gotta have a small phantom powered mixer or preamp to use it is all.
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For speaker development you need more measurements (e.g. impedance!)
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I can already measure impedance, inductance, capacitance and electrical frequency response.
I am purely asking about a suitable microphone.
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I can already measure impedance, inductance, capacitance and electrical frequency response.
I am purely asking about a suitable microphone.
LOL, I've read that Joseph Crow article. There is no way I'd use an SM58 or SM57 for measurements. I have used Shure SM81cardioid mics and even the AT2020 for measurement to good effect in order to understand direct vs reflected sound. But at least those mics are fairly flat and are easy to make calibration files for. Vocal mics? No.
The USB mics are handy, but it can be difficult to get good timing info if you use different clocks for input and output. I prefer a USB soundcard that uses the same clock for in and out. It's just a lot less hassle than two clocks.
The USB mics are handy, but it can be difficult to get good timing info if you use different clocks for input and output. I prefer a USB soundcard that uses the same clock for in and out. It's just a lot less hassle than two clocks.
The SM58 info. was interesting for sure, but was extremely close 'micing' with a cardioid mic.
As I understand it, the most common form of measurement mic. is omnidirectional.
IS THIS CORRECT !
Yes. . . However even the smallest omni measurement mike (1/8") will have directionality at some higher frequency. Electret mikes with plastic diaphragms do not have the stability of the premium measurement microphones with metal diaphragms, however they are still quite stable if cared for. The Earthworks mikes use the little electrets and work very well.
Calibration is a complex subject. For commercial applications like sound studies you need accurate repeatable sensitivity. Most hobbyists and even many speaker designers pay little attention to the precise levels and focus on the response curve. Even the least expensive Behringer ECM8000 will be pretty accurate to 3-4 KHz out of the box. How the mike is calibrated and how its used need to both work together to get useful information. Above 5 KHz there are many challenges to getting an accurate measurement even with the 1/4" B&K (speaking from experience).
Calibration is a complex subject. For commercial applications like sound studies you need accurate repeatable sensitivity. Most hobbyists and even many speaker designers pay little attention to the precise levels and focus on the response curve. Even the least expensive Behringer ECM8000 will be pretty accurate to 3-4 KHz out of the box. How the mike is calibrated and how its used need to both work together to get useful information. Above 5 KHz there are many challenges to getting an accurate measurement even with the 1/4" B&K (speaking from experience).
I have just ordered a Behringer ECM8000 for starters. I had no idea how low cost they were. (I hope I get a nice 'flat' one)
I will build my own little phantom power box and use PC mic. in.
Maybe in the future I might buy something else for fun comparison.
CHEERS to you all 🙂
I will build my own little phantom power box and use PC mic. in.
Maybe in the future I might buy something else for fun comparison.
CHEERS to you all 🙂
People recommending cardioid mics for measurements should read about proximity effect first.
And if they recommend SM57 or 58... they probably never used a bunch of them at same time: there is a lot of variation between capsules!
QC 'issue'. And no it's not something which happened in the last few years it always been as such.
Last time i ordered some (we needed someyhing like 10 of them) in pro context we arranged with the distributor to have 50 of them to choose the ones which fitted the intended use the best ( snare, cab micing, male and female voice, tom,...) and mark them. Pretty common knowledge for people in studios.
And if they recommend SM57 or 58... they probably never used a bunch of them at same time: there is a lot of variation between capsules!
QC 'issue'. And no it's not something which happened in the last few years it always been as such.
Last time i ordered some (we needed someyhing like 10 of them) in pro context we arranged with the distributor to have 50 of them to choose the ones which fitted the intended use the best ( snare, cab micing, male and female voice, tom,...) and mark them. Pretty common knowledge for people in studios.
It's an omni mic with lot's of noise - but sound quality of omins is great!
When you can't do the measurements you need to do - it's wasted money. Even if it's little wasted money.
VERY different microphones! Hope you don't use the same mic setup. At least XY with omnis will not do a lot 😉