Re: More McCauley M421 Measurements
Hey Langston,
HF polar response is a HF phenomenon, as is likely any time domain unrest, which I purposefully excluded from my statement. I rarely measure beyond 130dB, as well!
I think for general TF measurement use an $80 mic can be nearly as good as a much more expensive mic for even a relatively advanced user. As long as they don't get it very hot (since the diaphragms are usually plastic), and as long as they know how to orient it towards the sound source (usually perpendicular, i.e. not pointing at the speaker, is the right way) it will be effectively as good even above 2kHz, often beyond 16kHz. Any HF droop inherent in the mic can be compensated by ear to taste, big dips and peaks will still show up just fine. Of course, many mid-priced mics can be purchased with calibration curves, or you may be able to have yours calibrated for a not unreasonable fee.
Expensive microphones can be trusted more, but once you've got $800 into a mic you may not want to stick it out in the bleachers and not think about it for half an hour... I only break out my really pricey mic to check my other mics against. If I need to know HF level accurately I go one level cheaper, and since I rarely need to know the exact level at very high frequencies I use my $100 mic for almost everything.
--Bennett "Already trashed one $600 capsule on my moderately expensive mic" Prescott
The major differences can be found in the time domain, HF polar response and higher SPL's young grasshopper.
Hey Langston,
HF polar response is a HF phenomenon, as is likely any time domain unrest, which I purposefully excluded from my statement. I rarely measure beyond 130dB, as well!
I think for general TF measurement use an $80 mic can be nearly as good as a much more expensive mic for even a relatively advanced user. As long as they don't get it very hot (since the diaphragms are usually plastic), and as long as they know how to orient it towards the sound source (usually perpendicular, i.e. not pointing at the speaker, is the right way) it will be effectively as good even above 2kHz, often beyond 16kHz. Any HF droop inherent in the mic can be compensated by ear to taste, big dips and peaks will still show up just fine. Of course, many mid-priced mics can be purchased with calibration curves, or you may be able to have yours calibrated for a not unreasonable fee.
Expensive microphones can be trusted more, but once you've got $800 into a mic you may not want to stick it out in the bleachers and not think about it for half an hour... I only break out my really pricey mic to check my other mics against. If I need to know HF level accurately I go one level cheaper, and since I rarely need to know the exact level at very high frequencies I use my $100 mic for almost everything.
--Bennett "Already trashed one $600 capsule on my moderately expensive mic" Prescott
