PE's OmniMic

[parodielin]

The OmniMic is formally available and with online documentation. I already have the Dayton EMM Mic and a mic preamp so whether it's worth to spend another $300 given the time available to use them is questionable. But it looks great!

The question is, if anyone knows, that is the OmniMic a better calibrated mic than the Dayton EMM? If it is "better", what kind of improvement would it provide?

Would OmniMic only work with the specific software in the package or it would work with other software (so I can try the awesome ARTA tutorial Charlie Laub posted http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...php?t=222211)?

Anyone jumped ship yet? ;)

[greywarden]

Re: PE's OmniMic

It looks to me like you just plug it in and go, if it's worth that much money to you. There's a thread that documents the minimum items needed to accomplish a similar task at, what I presume, is a much lower cost.

In the name of simplicity, I myself, might go this route.

[BobEllis]

Re: PE's OmniMic

If you already have a calibrated mic and preamp, it seems like ARTA is a more powerful package for speaker design.

From the OmniMic manual:

The OmniMic can also be used as a general purpose USB microphone, however the frequency response correction will be applied only when it is used with the OmniMic software program. In general, the natural frequency response of the OmniMic will roll upwards at higher frequencies

Sounds like it makes the mike useless for measurement work except for use within the OmniMic program.

[PassingInterest]

Re: PE's OmniMic

There's a discussion of it at AVS.

[MagicO309d]

Re: PE's OmniMic

Does the OmniMic/software package provide for gated FR measurements? I can't tell from the description and owner's manual.

[rayw]

Re: PE's OmniMic

Does the OmniMic/software package provide for gated FR measurements? I can't tell from the description and owner's manual.

I don't believe it does. Since you have to play the stimulus (sine sweep or pseudorandom noise) from a CD there really isn't a way to gate out reflections.

[MagicO309d]

Re: PE's OmniMic

So for speaker design use with OmniMic one is basically limited to outdoor measurements?

[bwaslo]

Re: PE's OmniMic

No, it can do gating. And smoothing, waterfalls, phase response, distortion...

[rayw]

Re: PE's OmniMic

Fantastic! Do you know how they coordinate the gating with a CD based stimulus?

[bwaslo]

Re: PE's OmniMic

Fantastic! Do you know how they coordinate the gating with a CD based stimulus?

Timing is done relative to impulse response peak, not absolute. Though absolute can also be done using a trick with a separate driver (its peak being used as the timing reference). See the Help files, it's all in there.

[FOH]

Re: PE's OmniMic

As one of the initial purchasers of the OmniMic rig, I'm enjoying it's features more all the time. However, as with any software, it does have it's minor issues. First and foremost is the inability to maximize the measurement screen so that it can be viewed full-screen.

So far, for the applications I'm using OmniMic for, anything negative I've encountered is a minor quibble compared to the lack of full screen use. Actually, you get used to the full screen use, but enlarging it would effect every aspect of the software in a positive manner. That's about as critical as I can be. So that's a big thumbs up on the product. It's so nice and streamlined. With the disc, mic, and the cord, you've got a fine measurement rig with any PC,..anywhere. In mere seconds, yes,..seconds,..you're up and running.

When can we expect a down-loadable revision to the software?

Thank you for a fine product, I'm sure with your ongoing support and additional constructive user feedback, OmniMic will occupy a very unique niche in the measurement software market.

Thank you

[[email protected]]

Re: PE's OmniMic

i think im going this route. im sure as soon as i do, it will go DOTD on me.
the cord looks a little short but i would think one could use an extension on it or a longer cord as long as the calibration is done with it.

[FOH]

Re: PE's OmniMic

Yes, that's one of my quibbles. The mini usb cord is way too short.

[[email protected]]

Re: PE's OmniMic

im sure anyone will work.

[FOH]

Re: PE's OmniMic

There are limitations with max length. Between 3-5 meters.
From USB.org

In practice, the USB specification limits the length of a cable between full speed devices to 5 meters (a little under 16 feet 5 inches). For a low speed device the limit is 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches).

Q2: Why can't I use a cable longer than 3 or 5m?
A2: USB's electrical design doesn't allow it. When USB was designed, a decision was made to handle the propagation of electromagnetic fields on USB data lines in a way that limited the maximum length of a USB cable to something in the range of 4m. This method has a number of advantages and, since USB is intended for a desktop environment, the range limitations were deemed acceptable.