ProSoundWeb Community

Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Audio Measurement and Testing => Topic started by: Zachary Zimmerman on April 28, 2014, 05:10:31 PM

Title: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Zachary Zimmerman on April 28, 2014, 05:10:31 PM
What are you guys using for your day to day pa setup and measurements.

I have a rational acoustics basic mic. I'm looking to step up to the next level. The guys I work with have the older audix's that are no longer made. 
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Mac Kerr on April 28, 2014, 05:18:27 PM
What are you guys using for your day to day pa setup and measurements.

I have a rational acoustics basic mic. I'm looking to step up to the next level. The guys I work with have the older audix's that are no longer made.

What do you think you'lll gain with a new mic?

Mac

Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Zachary Zimmerman on April 28, 2014, 05:44:54 PM
What do you think you'lll gain with a new mic?

Mac

I just want something a little more pro quality that's all
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Mac Kerr on April 28, 2014, 05:58:01 PM
I just want something a little more pro quality that's all

For tuning a PA there is nothing wrong with the mic you have. Spending several times the money might get you a mic that has flatter response above 10k, but I do very little tuning above 10k (none).

Mid priced measurement mics like the Josephson 550 (http://www.josephson.com/pdf/srs5.pdf) or the Earthworks M23 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=527645&gclid=CM_X8IWWhL4CFY1xOgodsXYAQQ&Q=&is=REG&A=details) will run you $400-$450. Then you"ll have a mic that won't serve your purpose that much better, but that you'll worry about every time you use it.

Mac
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Zachary Zimmerman on April 28, 2014, 07:27:14 PM
Is there and in between level between that is >100 and <400.
 If I'm going to spend some money on getting up to 4 mics should I go with more of what I have or step up just a little bit.
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Caleb Dueck on April 28, 2014, 07:31:43 PM
We use Audix TM-1's for budget yet decent mics.

Typed on a virtual keyboard. 

Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Mac Kerr on April 28, 2014, 07:55:43 PM
Is there and in between level between that is >100 and <400.
 If I'm going to spend some money on getting up to 4 mics should I go with more of what I have or step up just a little bit.

Since you already have the Rational RTA-420, get more of them if you want to do multi mic measurements. If you really want to spend more money Rational sells the ISEMcon EMX-7150 (http://www.rationalacoustics.com/store/microphones/isemcon-emx-7150.html) for $300, but for most uses there is no advantage over the RTA-420.

Mac
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Zachary Zimmerman on April 28, 2014, 08:02:32 PM
Since you already have the Rational RTA-420, get more of them if you want to do multi mic measurements. If you really want to spend more money Rational sells the ISEMcon EMX-7150 (http://www.rationalacoustics.com/store/microphones/isemcon-emx-7150.html) for $300, but for most uses there is no advantage over the RTA-420.

Mac

Thanks for your input
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Loren Aguey on April 28, 2014, 08:42:54 PM
What are you guys using for your day to day pa setup and measurements.

I have a rational acoustics basic mic. I'm looking to step up to the next level. The guys I work with have the older audix's that are no longer made.

I just came back from Smaart training a few days ago. On day 3 we measured and used 4 mics ranging from the RTA 420 to the DPA 4007 which is in the 2k range. There was VERY little difference in response between all the mics and we used them interchangeably. This convinced me that, especially when getting started in the measurement game, there's very little point in me spending more than $100 on a measurement mic. The instructor absolutely acknowledged that the more expensive ones are better mics, but by specifically choosing to use 4 mics that run the gamut from bottom to top of the line, he basically made the point that Mac is making (without outright saying it). The higher spl handling of the more expensive mics could be a factor for someone who might need to do nearfield measurements at very high spl's, but not for what I do.

He also mentioned (which was kind of funny) that when people see him using the DPA they assume he knows what he's doing and with they see him with the RTA 420, (some) will incorrectly assume the opposite.
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Adam Black on April 29, 2014, 10:33:51 AM
Zach,

What we recommend is at most only having one high end mic to use as a reference mic. This mic stays in the shop or seldom leaves its case. For the bulk of your measurement needs a low cost measurement mic is ideal, for all of the reasons indicated by previous posters. But also because measurement mics are often placed in harms way and are put at risk of being damaged each time they are used. If your mic stand is knocked over and your mic is driven in to the floor capsule first, would you prefer it was an inexpensive mic that you could easily replace, or an expensive mic?

-Adam
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Ivan Beaver on April 29, 2014, 11:59:04 AM
I just want something a little more pro quality that's all
And what do you hope to achieve by that-except make you "feel" better?

Unless you are doing lab type measurements (the field is NOT one of those situations)-a "better" mic is not going to get you anywhere-useful that is.

Now if your current mic is broken-that is a different story.
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Roger Talkov on April 30, 2014, 11:42:46 AM
I'm going to agree with Mac and Ivan. The Rational mics are completely perfect for in the field use and you will never worry about it falling off the mic stand or leaving it out in the cold or heat. If it breaks just buy another and don't feel bad about it. Perfect mics for the job.
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Zachary Zimmerman on May 01, 2014, 11:11:07 PM
Thanks guys so rational it is. I will keep and add to my kit.  Is it work paying the extra to get the calibration file.
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Lyle Williams on May 02, 2014, 02:49:09 AM
You must have a calibration file.  A generic one for the mic model is the minimum, a mic specific one is much better.
Title: Re: Day to day measurement mics
Post by: Chris Johnson [UK] on May 02, 2014, 03:58:30 AM
I use Beyer MM-1 mics and they are sprayed fluorescent yellow!

The MM-1 comes with a unique calibration so any differences between mics can be adjusted for within smaart by using the calibration curves.