Can I use a cheap mic for measuring if...

[jamikkim]

...I "calibrate" it by measuring a B3N and comparing it to Zaph's results?

I'm trying to go on the cheap here, as to get a "proper" microphone is about $60+

There was this (http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/Articles/diymic/diymicmain.htm), but the mic seems to be discontinued.

[johnnyrichards]

Probably not, you would have to duplicate his conditions as near to exact as possible in order to do that.

If you have the means to save some money, it really isn't too spendy to set up a rig for doing Q&D* measurements.





*Quick and Dirty :)

[patrickm]

search around here and at diyaudio.com, i think there was a thread a couple months ago talking about cheap measurement gear, and the testing showed that some cheap computer mic's (most using a WM-61 or similar element anyhow) with a decent soundcard mic input were within about 1-2 dB for 400-500 Hz to about 13 kHz (and tailed off after that), if you're really looking for quick & dirty. just be careful about any corrections applied by the sound card (i think they tested with and without the +20dB boost, but don't recall which was more accurate).

this won't be great for the top end, but can be useful for the crossover region, and might help you decide how much money/time you want to invest in it. just use ARTA (free) and Ed Froste's (free) tutorial.

[nelsonwood]

The WM60AY can be substituted with the WM61A, which is a better unit. Digikey has these in stock. You'll have to come up with a pre-amp to use with this but there are several designs avaiable on the web which are easy to construct. There are some general calibration files for this capsule on the web that are usable but will not be quite as accurate as having the mic calibrated. The WM61 is pretty flat up to around 15K anyway.