USB Condensor as a "field-grade" USB mic for lapto
USB Condensor as a "field-grade" USB mic for lapto
I generate pink noise easily from a CD, and would like to carry something simple to gigs, like an RTA mic for the USB port, for instance:
http://www.macintouch.com/samsonc01u.html
Will a Hypercardioid condenser mic work with simple RTA software well enough to flatten out my Dr250 tops EQ in a bar?
http://www.macintouch.com/samsonc01u.html
Will a Hypercardioid condenser mic work with simple RTA software well enough to flatten out my Dr250 tops EQ in a bar?
Sorry, I'll rephrase my answer. You will get much better results with a calibrated reference mic. Will it work? Yes. Will it be accurate? Probably close. It will help your results if you calibrate the mic first to your software. The Sampson is a vocal mic, I'm not so sure it's a directional mic. PDF says it's a hypercardiod pick-up mic. Omni-directional. It will pick up reflected sounds and ambient noise fairly easy.DJPhatman wrote:Sorry, no. you need a reference mic, which the Sampson is not.
BTW, you should reference the system once in half-space, them tweak it in the rooms you are in by ear. Trust your ears, as they hear what the audience hears.
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At first I thought: Whyintheheck does he want to use that thing when he can get a reference mic for $50? Then I realized it's a direct USB connection. That's purdy cool.
The response chart shows that it's fairly flat. One concern is the huge bump in the 5-10k region at 180 degrees. That would certainly let background noise in. That goes back to what DJPhat said about it being omnidirectional. If you could figure a way to block everything coming from behind it would probably work better.
Going the other way, there must be some kind of converter on the market that would let you plug in to the USB port and just use the $50 Behringer reference mic? Either way you go you're going to be carrying a mic and cables.
The response chart shows that it's fairly flat. One concern is the huge bump in the 5-10k region at 180 degrees. That would certainly let background noise in. That goes back to what DJPhat said about it being omnidirectional. If you could figure a way to block everything coming from behind it would probably work better.
Going the other way, there must be some kind of converter on the market that would let you plug in to the USB port and just use the $50 Behringer reference mic? Either way you go you're going to be carrying a mic and cables.
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I believe that most reference mics are omni-directional.Tim Ard wrote:At first I thought: Whyintheheck does he want to use that thing when he can get a reference mic for $50? Then I realized it's a direct USB connection. That's purdy cool.
The response chart shows that it's fairly flat. One concern is the huge bump in the 5-10k region at 180 degrees. That would certainly let background noise in. That goes back to what DJPhat said about it being omnidirectional. If you could figure a way to block everything coming from behind it would probably work better.
Going the other way, there must be some kind of converter on the market that would let you plug in to the USB port and just use the $50 Behringer reference mic? Either way you go you're going to be carrying a mic and cables.
XLR to USB convertors:
http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=MICPORTPRO
http://www.amazon.com/LightSnake-STUSBX ... 536&sr=1-1
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The first link I posted, the BSW unit has phantom power and 96k/24bit conversion. It's $150 though.Tom wrote:The XLR to USB convertors would do the job if they provided phantom power. If not, hauling a phantom power box is undesirable.
Personally, I would choose one of the "micro" mixers with USB out & phantom power, it would cost about the same and be useful for other purposes.
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Here is one that is less expensive. Only 16 bit and 44khz but that shouldn't matter in measurement. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=270707
Re: USB Condensor as a "field-grade" USB mic for lapto
Tom did you have any luck? what software are using?
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Re: USB Condensor as a "field-grade" USB mic for lapto
I wouldn't use it for critical testing, but for down and dirty RTAs it should work well enough.
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Re: USB Condensor as a "field-grade" USB mic for lapto
Rolls makes a tiny +48v phantom supply the size of a wall wart.
I own the Rolls 6-channel 1RU rack phantom supply also.
Both provide much cleaner phantom power than you get from a USB port, and without the strain on the port.
USB is only rated for up to 500mA. +48v is obtained by HF switching. Certain mics have a minimum current requirement.
I use the Superlux/Behringer measurement small diameter condensor. All are based on the same Panasonic capsule and work well. The correction curve for the Behringer applies to the Superlux.
The omni pattern is the choice for pure measurements, but a cardioid would probably provide more usable results in a bar, where it is deaf to closer sounds from patrons, while it concentrates on the band sound.
I own the Rolls 6-channel 1RU rack phantom supply also.
Both provide much cleaner phantom power than you get from a USB port, and without the strain on the port.
USB is only rated for up to 500mA. +48v is obtained by HF switching. Certain mics have a minimum current requirement.
I use the Superlux/Behringer measurement small diameter condensor. All are based on the same Panasonic capsule and work well. The correction curve for the Behringer applies to the Superlux.
The omni pattern is the choice for pure measurements, but a cardioid would probably provide more usable results in a bar, where it is deaf to closer sounds from patrons, while it concentrates on the band sound.
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