Normal
Re: Calibrating measurement mics.Cummins,One normally has a calibrator with one's self so one may calibrate one's mic that day with that preamp gain, etc. Knowing the sensitivity of a mic at one frequency, as Ivan said above, depends largely on how flat the mic is and whether it has drifted. Publishing the sensitivity for your mic may not help others with the same mic. There is plenty of variation between cheap mics. Even very good ($700+) mics, which may have uniform frequency response, may have sensitivities that vary by a decibel or more.Long story short, calibrate your mic if you like but it will only hold true for a certain preamp gain. Also, you only need to go to the trouble if you need reasonably accurate SPL numbers. If you really need accurate SPL numbers then you have to use a type 1 mic ($1,500+) and a calibrator with trackable calibration itself ($500+).
Re: Calibrating measurement mics.
Cummins,
One normally has a calibrator with one's self so one may calibrate one's mic that day with that preamp gain, etc. Knowing the sensitivity of a mic at one frequency, as Ivan said above, depends largely on how flat the mic is and whether it has drifted. Publishing the sensitivity for your mic may not help others with the same mic. There is plenty of variation between cheap mics. Even very good ($700+) mics, which may have uniform frequency response, may have sensitivities that vary by a decibel or more.
Long story short, calibrate your mic if you like but it will only hold true for a certain preamp gain. Also, you only need to go to the trouble if you need reasonably accurate SPL numbers. If you really need accurate SPL numbers then you have to use a type 1 mic ($1,500+) and a calibrator with trackable calibration itself ($500+).
