measuring microphone

[eitanwaks]

hi,
in order to measure the loudspeaker I need a microphone. I've seen around the forums that the Behringer 8000 is popular here. I can purchase it at several places for around $40-$50. I have several questions however.
1. Are there other microphones that are recommended that I should take into account?
2. Do I need to purchase anything else with the microphone for it to work?
3. Do I simply plug this microphone into a line in?

Eitan Waks

[dantheman]

You'll need to get it callibrated. Cross-spectrum labs has a good service. Check out their site prior to purchasing anything.

Dan

[dantheman]

Oh, you'll need phantom power for a condenser to work.

[cuibono]

Hi Eitan,

Almost all mics need a preamp. The ECM8000 is an electret type mic, and does need phantom power. It is recommended that the mic be calibrated, although not strictly necessary - the error caused by not using one is usually a few dB in the treble. Calibration costs about $50. Partsexpress sells a calibrated mic identical to the ECM8000 (for $50), but there has been some question about the quality of the calibration. Parts-Express.com:*Dayton EMM-6 Electret Measurement Microphone | BLACK09 Dayton EMM-6 measurement mic measurement microphone mic microphone electret mic electret microphone speaker mic test microphone test mic recording mic recording microphone Audi

If I were going to get a measurement mic, I'd go here: Cross·Spectrum - Calibrated Dayton Audio EMM-6 Microphones for Sale

[AdamThorne]

Is there a favorite or typical choice for items to interface the mic to your measurement computer? Presuming that one has only a standard headphone jack line in to start with.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by cuibono

Partsexpress sells a calibrated mic identical to the ECM8000 (for $50), but there has been some question about the quality of the calibration.

I got one of these calibrated by Cross Spectrum.... a broad peak at 10 k reaching almost +4 dB and it was nearing -2dB by 20k. I did a rough calculation and it achieved +- 1/2 dB from something like 300-4k.

These, and i'll hazard the Beringer, need calibration.

dave

[jason_watkins]

Cross Spectrum was good for me. You'll need a pre-amp. These days a usb based one is probably the way to go. You'll also need an amp to drive the speaker you're testing, so you may want to consider a spare one. I'm using a t-amp since it gives me a totally portable testing rig combined with a laptop, mic and the usb dual pre.

[planet10]

My USB interface would only get me 16/48/ I now have a Firewire one that is better and allows 24/96

dave

attached is the FR ofmy EMM-6

[catapult]

The EMU Tracker does 24/192 with USB2 and doesn't need a wall wart for power so it's good for laptop users. I got a calibrated Dayton from Herb too. They vary some but Herb said they are more consistent than the Behringers.

[toddboyle]

Somebody said "I did a rough calculation and it achieved +- 1/2 dB from something like 300-4k." --- This works for me, since I do lectures/ speeches etc.

But I think we need other measures besides a straight frequency response. We need to konw how faithful the electrical signal to the actual sound pressure impacting the mic, which is complex, has sharp transients, etc. What other measures are there?