Now there is no excuse not to have a calibrated mic

[CLS]

Does that also explain that except for distance, mic tend to pick up much more s, t, f, ts, ch... sounds in voices than our ears?

Speakers unfamiliar with this character of ordinary mics often fail to soften their fricatives so the sounds come out from PA system downstream would be awfully harsh.

 

[DSP_Geek]

Does that also explain that except for distance, mic tend to pick up much more s, t, f, ts, ch... sounds in voices than our ears?

Speakers unfamiliar with this character of ordinary mics often fail to soften their fricatives so the sounds come out from PA system downstream would be awfully harsh.

Vocal mikes are typically voiced with a 4 to 5 dB peak in the upper mids between 2 and 8 kHz. Here's a classic example:

http://www.shure.com/stellent/group...ts/web_resource/site_img_us_rc_sm58_large.gif

I backed off 4kHz about 2 dB on voices when I mixed live audio for that very reason. It didn't sound quite as lively initially but I didn't need an aspirin at the end of the night either.

 

[cuibono]

Hmmm, the plot thickens:
http://www.htguide.com/forum/showpost.php4?p=471760&postcount=69

Not good for PE! But we have to see more results.

 

[Pano]

Please note the large difference in vertical scale between the 2 plots.
If re-graphed on the same scale, they would look much closer.

 

[Key]

Good catch. Think I might pick up 2 of these actually.

And whats up with everyone freakin out in that thread? Oh knows!!! these mikes were caled in 1900! Unacceptable.

 

[planet10]

Please note the large difference in vertical scale between the 2 plots.
If re-graphed on the same scale, they would look much closer.

Here they are with same scale.

dave

 

[cuibono]

Please note the large difference in vertical scale between the 2 plots.
If re-graphed on the same scale, they would look much closer.

Here they are with same scale.

dave

Umm, the second plot in the link I posted has both sets of data already combined. I'll repeat it here. The blue graph is Dayton's data, the red and green data is Herb's. Although not wildly different, they are not the same either.

 

[Key]

You accidentally pasted the data from a chart that marks in 10dB increments onto a chart that marks in 5dB increments.

 

[ZilchLab]

You accidentally pasted the data from a chart that marks in 10dB increments onto a chart that marks in 5dB increments.

Neither of them did, I don't believe. They both appear to have been rescaled accordingly....

 

[Key]

okay cool nevermind then. So have anymore measurments cropped up? Are they all spikey like that one or did he just get a bad batch?

 

[Shaun]

My guess is that the test methods are different. Perhaps PE can provide some details?

 

[ra7]

Hey guys,

regardless of how good the dayton mic is, I bought one. It was on sale for black friday. I had a cheap RS meter and I wanted something better.

Now, my question is how do i power up this baby?
Any suggestions for a diy preamp? I'm looking to hook it up to my computer.

thanks!

 

[Ron E]

Hey guys,

regardless of how good the dayton mic is, I bought one. It was on sale for black friday. I had a cheap RS meter and I wanted something better.

Now, my question is how do i power up this baby?
Any suggestions for a diy preamp? I'm looking to hook it up to my computer.

thanks!

Rolls MP13
M-Audio Audio Buddy
Xenyx UB-802

Making a preamp with phantom power is possible, but probably not cost effective. Look at the DIY Measurement Mic thread

 

[Pano]

I use the M-Audio USB Duo. Works well. I think any of the M-Audio cards with XLR have phantom power.

Good deals to be found on eBay.

 

[Key]

For recording generally USB and Phantom power is kind of hit or miss. I really don't know what can happen in terms of the measurements with an underpowered (considerably less than 48v) or unstable power going to a mic. Remember you are feeding the mics power in this situation with the computers power supply going through the USB2.0 port. Just a heads up I guess not even sure if it's a real issue in a lot of situations or just generally recommended to be better safe than sorry.