9 votes

Recommendations for a measurement microphone

Posted by Wulfsta
Tags: ask.recommendations, audio, microphones.flat measurement

Hey folks, I need some recommendations for a flat measurement microphone in the audible range. I believe I also need a digital interface.

7 comments

  1. [7]
    fional
    Link
    I’ve heard good things about Earthworks—looks like they’ve got a variety of options depending on how high you need to measure: https://earthworksaudio.com/measurement-microphones/ I would assume...

    I’ve heard good things about Earthworks—looks like they’ve got a variety of options depending on how high you need to measure: https://earthworksaudio.com/measurement-microphones/

    I would assume you would need an interface that can do at least double the sampling rate of the highest frequencies you want to capture, for Nyquist reasons.

    What’s the specific application?

    3 votes
    1. [6]
      Wulfsta
      Link Parent
      Measuring a headphone driver, prior to housing it. So I need 20Hz-20kHz. I was hoping to find something cheaper than the Earthworks, though I have heard they’re good as well.

      Measuring a headphone driver, prior to housing it. So I need 20Hz-20kHz. I was hoping to find something cheaper than the Earthworks, though I have heard they’re good as well.

      3 votes
      1. [6]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. [4]
          fional
          Link Parent
          There’s definitely cheapo measurement mics, I have a few of these e.g.: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ECM8000--behringer-ecm8000-measurement-condenser-microphone But with any measurement...

          There’s definitely cheapo measurement mics, I have a few of these e.g.: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ECM8000--behringer-ecm8000-measurement-condenser-microphone

          But with any measurement apparatus your final result will always be constrained by the accuracy of the measurement tools. The $25 mic might be sufficient for comparative measurements where the mic is held constant, but the absolute trustworthiness of the measurement will be diminished.

          1 vote
          1. [3]
            IsildursBane
            Link Parent
            I think there is probably some space between the Behringer and an Earthworks mic. I personally would not trust a mic that costs less than $100. I have used the DBX RTA-M for my RTA when mixing...

            I think there is probably some space between the Behringer and an Earthworks mic. I personally would not trust a mic that costs less than $100. I have used the DBX RTA-M for my RTA when mixing live audio, so I did not need it to be precise as it was just a visual reference. The DBX may not be as precise as an Earthworks mic, but it gets the job done for significantly cheaper, and would give me more confidence over the Behringer

            2 votes
            1. [2]
              Wulfsta
              Link Parent
              This is actually the second recommendation for the DBX RTA-M I have gotten - might opt for it.

              This is actually the second recommendation for the DBX RTA-M I have gotten - might opt for it.

              1. IsildursBane
                Link Parent
                I will stress my caveat above that I have not used it for precise work. It was a mic that was available for me when I was setting up an RTA, and since the RTA was just a visual reference to double...

                I will stress my caveat above that I have not used it for precise work. It was a mic that was available for me when I was setting up an RTA, and since the RTA was just a visual reference to double check what my ears were hearing, I did not need precision. If the mic lacked precision, I probably would not have noticed it for that usecase.

                2 votes
        2. Pistos
          Link Parent
          This a great article (and site). I'm learning some things. Thanks for sharing.

          This a great article (and site). I'm learning some things. Thanks for sharing.