UMIK-1 or any USB MIC unsuitable for timing measurements?

[Old Iron]

ARTA is now freeware, no longer in development, the developer has retired.

Do you know if the my unregistered copy is limited in any way?

 

[dcibel]

There is no longer a registration, it's freeware. No restrictions.

 

[valerianf]

I am answering a little late but any calibrated analog mic will do better for impulse measurement than any USB mic.

 

[Pete James]

Do I need timing measurements for room measurements, acoustic treatment, and room correction? I saw dirac live recommends the UMIK-1. I was thinking of getting the cheap calibrated sonarworks XLR mic but then it will not be SPL calibrated (unless I use a phone app or buy an calibrated SPL meter). I'm not sure what to go for.

 

[staticV3]

Do I need timing measurements for room measurements, acoustic treatment, and room correction? I saw dirac live recommends the UMIK-1. I was thinking of getting the cheap calibrated sonarworks XLR mic but then it will not be SPL calibrated (unless I use a phone app or buy an calibrated SPL meter). I'm not sure what to go for.

The UMIK can do timing measurements using the Use Acoustic Timing reference option in REW.

SPL Calibration serves hardly any purpose in room correction and room treatment. You can easily do without.

 

[dualazmak]

I am answering a little late but any calibrated analog mic will do better for impulse measurement than any USB mic.

Essentially agree with you.

I use specially-selected Behringer ECM8000 measurement microphone which was/is cross calibrated against strictly calibrated expensive Earthwork M50 measurement microphone (ref. #831 on my project thread).

For timing (time alignment) measurements and tunings, I do not like any loop back method into source PC/Mac even having some timing marker(s), but I always trust my rather primitive "time-shifted multiple-Fq rectangular tone burst matching method" (ref. #493) and "multiple-Fq tone burst energy peak matching method" (ref. #494) as well as "precision single wave matching method in 0.1 msec accuracy" (ref. #504, #507), all recorded (using ECM8000) and analyzed by a second independent PC/Mac.

The combination of "precision single wave matching method in 0.1 msec accuracy" and "3D(Fq-Time-Gain) color spectrum by Adobe Audition 3.0.1 (showing 3D sound energy distribution)" using such ECM8000 is also very much useful in measurement of transient behaviors of sub-woofers and woofers as well as fine tuning of cross over Fq and slopes between them (ref. #495, #497, #503, #507).

Furthermore, the nice response, S/N, sensitivity of such ECM8000 well contribute to identification of sound reflecting plane/wall by strong excitation of SP unit for room acoustics (ref. #498).

Of course, such ECM8000 is much useful in routine Fq-SPL measurements on room air sound (ref. #1,009).

 

[JoshK]

This might seem a bit of a newbie question, but if I have a calibrated MIC (Beyerdynamic MM-1) that I already own and have other uses for, is there a good quality USB MIC preamp that I can use for measuring with REW, etc. rather than buy the UMIK-1/2? Or does that lead to more complications with setting levels, compression, etc.?

[I didn't know a better place to ask]

 

[a4eaudio]

This might seem a bit of a newbie question, but if I have a calibrated MIC (Beyerdynamic MM-1) that I already own and have other uses for, is there a good quality USB MIC preamp that I can use for measuring with REW, etc. rather than buy the UMIK-1/2? Or does that lead to more complications with setting levels, compression, etc.?

[I didn't know a better place to ask]

Yes, MM-1 will work fine with REW with a USB interface.
Behringer UMC202HD, Motu M2, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Yamaha UR22 Mk3, etc.

 

[dualazmak]

Yes, MM-1 will work fine with REW with a USB interface.
Behringer UMC202HD, Motu M2, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Yamaha UR22 Mk3, etc.

And rather affordable TASCAM US-1x2HR too (ref. here); I use cross-calibrated BEHRINGER ECM8000 (ref. here).