Microphone Comparison - A Tutorial - part 1 of 2

When comparing similar microphones for a given task, like the acoustic guitar recording demonstrated here, I think it's important to use the same performance, recorded simultaneously, with carefully matched levels. Without these precautions we're not really comparing the mics fairly.

This first video demonstrates setting up the microphones and calibrating the mic preamplifier gain.

Part 2 demonstrates a recording session, followed by a final round of gain adjustment, to create the matched clips for comparison.

These videos are part of a blog post on the Homebrewed Music Blog, http://www.homebrewedmusic.com where you can find links to the sample clips created in these videos and to the software tools used.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• homebrewed
• music
• recording
• mic
• microphone
• comparison
• acoustic
• guitar
• kaleponi
• flip
• mino
• HD

[TheDudeWithTheDrums]

Good video man, but you have to speak louder!

[homebrewedmusic]

@TheDudeWithTheDrums Hey, sorry for the delayed response. I'm learning the hard way about adjusting levels for my YouTube clips, calibrating audio monitors, and balancing between sections.

Fran

[bensgoldberg]

I know it's almost a year after the fact, but instead of a 1kHz tone to reference levels, you should use a white noise generator. Granted all the microphones are built to be as close to 0dBA @ 1kHz, white noise produces equal loudness across all audible frequencies, allowing for more truly uniform gain matching.

I enjoy watching your videos, you are providing quite a service.

[homebrewedmusic]

@bensgoldberg Ben, if you're knowledgeable in the area of audio testing, I'll certainly concede the point, since I'm just fumbling around in the dark. But with the tools I have a 1 khz tone is much easier to use as a reference level. Using noise as a calibration source brings a lot of movement to the metering I'm using.

Thanks,

Fran

[phanboichautk]

good.

[master9716]

10 seconds and i was bored of this video and I closed it b4 i posted my comment.

[capoman1]

I love your videos, very helpful! And you use my favorite audio program for a long time: Reaper! Have loved this program since the time that I knew it was created by the original maker of Winamp!

I am finding that your videos have a low volume, so I am having to crank my PC volume way up to hear.

[franguidry]

Thanks, I hope they're useful.

Fran

[outithewoods]

Great videos mate Thank you.

[curtvincent]

This fellow understands psychoacoustics. Refreshing! You can lie to your brain when you want to, but it isn't the way to choose mics, your ears are! Well done!