Radio Shack SPL meter

ETF supplies a high performance calibrated electret condenser microphonefor use in sensitive applications. The RS analogue or digital SPL meter may be used for ETF as well. This will not supply the same accuracy as the unit sold here but is recommended for applications where critical adjustment of frequency response is already done or not necessary.

This unit has weighting curve adjustments that confuse a lot of users. This adjustment does not control the output, it only damps the meter movement.

Download the calibration file below and open it as a microphone calibration file when using ETF with the RS unit. Please note that this is not a true "calibration file" because it is not calibrated for your unit. It will remove the gross response errors associated with this device. Typical differences between this unit and any random unit are within +/- 2 dB below 8 KHz, typically. This unit is virtually useless for accurate high frequency measurements.

Other calibration files exist on the internet for this unit, these calibration files apply when reading the meter movement, not when taking data from its RCA output jack. These units are very constant gain below 500 Hz (flat frequency response) and do not require further low frequency calibration.

RS analogue SPL meter calibration file

ETF Calibrated Microphone

IBF-EMM8 Electret Measurement Microphone

IBF-EMM8 Electret Measurement Microphone

IBF-EMM8 omnidirectional measurement microphone


User Guide

Issue 1, February 2000

(C) Wolfgang Frank
Ingenieurbuero f. Akustik, Elektronik, Messtechnik
Alexanderstr. 66
68519 Viernheim
Germany


Tel. +49 (0) 6204 6608
Fax. +49 (0) 6204 6608
email:
sales@ibf-akustik.de
Website: http://www.ibf-akustik.de/

Introduction

General Description

The IBF-EMM8 is a accurate microphone. It utilizes a small, accurate omni directional capsule, in a carefully crafted, rugged aluminium/steel body. Due to its small diameter (approx. 5/16") and long size (12.4") it has less influence on the sound field.

Operating the mic is very simple. Use a good quality, shielded RF phono cable with plugs on both sides and connect the IBF-EMM8 to an microphone preamp such as the IBF-MP21 which provides bias power with at least 0.5 mA of current available. Adjust the preamp gain to the level required for testing.

Features

audio frequency range

low noise

low power consumption

less influence on the soundfield for accurate measurements

rugged anodized aluminium housing with stainless steel front end

no shock mount needed

calibration data on disc

fits to standard mic clamps

accessories: mic clamp included


Operational Notes

Why omni

Our goal was to develop an accurate mic at low cost applicable for room acoustic and speaker measurements. It should be as precise as necessary with less coloration on acoustic signals.

Therefore we have designed what you see or rather hold in your hands.

A microphone for medium SPL with no cage but a grill in front of the diaphragm.

This avoids heavily sound colorations contributed by resonances and reflections in such cages.

The electret microphone

An electret MIC is the best value for money omnidirectional microphone you can buy. Those microphones are used in many applications where small und inexspensive microphones with good performance characteristics are used.

It is a modification of the classic condensor microphone. Whereas a condensor mic needs an applied phantom power, the electret condensor has a build in charge. The bias voltage of arround 1-10V is needed to supply the build-in FET buffer and should be applied using a 1-10kOhm resistor.

Normally an electret capsule is a 2 terminal device that works like a current source when biased. The bias voltage should be kept clean, because the noise in this will get to the microphone output.


Appendices

 

on axis frequency response

20 - 20.000 Hz +- 2dB (corrected with included calibration file)

polar pattern (directivity)

omnidirectional

Sensitivity

6mV / Pa / 1kHz +- 4dB @bias 2.5V , 2.2 kOhm

Power requirements

1.5 - 10V / approx. 0.5 mA

peak acoustic input

> 120 dB SPL

output connector

RF phono jack

Noise

S/N ratio >58 dB

dimensions

probe dia : approx. 5/16", 8 mm
length : 12 3/8" , 315 mm
max dia : 25/32" , 20 mm

weight

1 1/2 oz, 42 grams (without clamp)

calibration

individually calibrated. The calibration microphone and preamp for this is the Bruel & Kjaer
condensor B&K 4133 (1/2" freefield) and B&K 2639 preamp.

Accessories

microphone clamp

   
   

 


IBF-MP21 Microphone Preamplifier User Guide and Specifications

    IBF-MP21

    microphone preamplifier

    User Guide


    Draft 2, June 2000
     

    (C) Wolfgang Frank
    Ingenieurbuero f. Akustik, Elektronik, Messtechnik
    Alexanderstr. 66
    68519 Viernheim
    Germany

    Tel. +49 (0) 6204 6608
    Fax. +49 (0) 6204 6608
    sales@ibf-akustik.de
    http://www.ibf-akustik.de/
     
     
     

    Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice. Ask factory for technical specifications before purchase and/or use.
    Whenever a doubt about safety issues arises from this product, please inform us immediately for technical consultation.


Contents


Quick Guide to using the MIC-Amp
All of us get in a hurry to use a new device. We want you to fully understand how to use the mic amp and avoiding user faults.

Step 1

Open the battery compartment and connect the batterie, accumulator or external voltage supply unit.

Note: The  mic-amp has a build in reverse polarity protection avoiding damages caused by voltage supplies with wrong configurated ouput voltage polarity

Step 2

Check the power switch position and make sure it is in the off state. The power switch is part of the potentiometer function.

Step 3

Change the bias supply for the microphone if an other than the factory setting is required.

Note: While using the mic-amp with the EMM-8 mic and ETF you can leave the bias supply unchanged. Delivery state is CH1 (normally used as the measurement channel and marked red) - bias supply ON and CH2 (the reference channel and marked blue) - bias supply OFF.

If you want to use CH2 (blue, trimmable) as an additional mic channel with bias supply or using other microphones which do not need biasing on channel 1 input please contact us for a detailed description how those changes can be done.

Step 4

Set the gain potentiometer to mid gain.

Step 5

Using shielded microphone cable, connect a microphone to the microphone input channel (CH1-red) on the front panel.

Do the necessary soundcard Line-Out to Mic-Amp-Ch2 (blue) connection.

Step 6

Each channel contains an unbalanced Line-Output RF phono jack which are also located on the front panel. Connect the line outputs to the line inputs of the next device.

Step 7

Be Careful!

Turning power switch on or off, can produce a voltage spike in the line outputs. Protect your ears, speakers and equipment by being careful while the mic-amp line output is connected to the next device.

Step 8

Adjust the gain control with signal going into the microphone to give the desired output level. The peak level indicator can provide help in setting the right level. It has a characteristic somewhat between that of a peak and VU control (short attack and enlarged release time). It is a quasi reference and should force you into a lower gain setting if necessary (Due to the supply voltage dependent maximum output level the reference is automatically corrected while the battery voltage drops) . Even if the red LED is lighting, you are far from the mic amplifiers clipping point.

Note: The gain control potentiometer sets only the gain of CH1. While using channel 2 of the mic-amp as an reference channel (loop: soundcard line out - mic-amp Ch 2 - soundcard line in) to compensate amplitude and phase irregularities, you have to lower the input level by turning the input-attentuator counter clockwise if the clipping indicator LED of CH 2 indicates overload condition.

If the signal output level of CH 2 is far below that of CH 1 you have to increase input sensitivity by turning the trimmer clockwise. (The input attentuater is a 20 turn trimmer to give you better adjustability). Normally the adjustment trimmer can be left unchanged on factory setting.

Step 9

Be Careful and watch the gain setting! Is it realistic!
Most equipment connected to the mic-amp will clip before the mic-amp will. Your soundcard may be distorting on peak signals even though the mic-amp isn't. This is because the soundcard line inputs being overloaded with too much signal coming from the mic amp's line output. Turn down the mic-amps gain control until distortion stops.


Introduction
General Description

The IBF-MP21 is a portable, battery-powered microphone preamplifier bias supply for electret microphones. Designed for 20Hz to 20kHz audio bandwidth. This quality mic pre is ideal for audio recording and acoustic measurement purposes such as speaker and roomacoustic measurements.

With its rugged mechanical and electrical construction, compact size and high-quality components, the IBF-MP21 is extremely durable and easy to use. This highly reliable mic preamp will provide years of superb audio performance under regular conditions.
 

Features

Audio performance

Maximum of 52 dB of gain, adjustable for accurate, repeatable gain settings. Channel 1 is adjustable by a single turn potentiometer.

In addition to this input channel 2 is variable by a 20 turn trimmer.

Clipping indicator

Clip indicator LED's show imminent overload condition. Unipolar detection, short attack time, long release time.

Battery power

Internal battery power (9V) for convenient, low cost power. Works also with Nickel-Cadmium accumulator.

Power consumption is less than 25mA. Easy access battery compartment for quick battery changes.

Bias Supply

Internally set bias supply voltage for electret-condenser microphones. (3V, 2.7kOhm)


Installation
Locating the unit

Keep the mic-amp physically separated from other electronic equipment that produce electrical fields. As a high gain device, hum and noise pickup is possible through chassis and associated cable. Placing the unit away from transformers, power amplifiers, etc. will help to avoid pickup of those unwanted signals.


Signal connections

All connections on the mic-amp are made via RF phono jacks. Both the microphone input connectors and line output connectors are female.


Operational Notes
Power Switch

The power switch is a built in function of the gain potentiometer. Due to the power consumption of approximately 25 mA and supply by battery power dictates applying power only as required.

When power is switched on or off, high level audio "pops" on the output connectors are likely.

This is a function of DC voltage turning on or off to the circuitry and can also be seen on the clipping indicator LED's.

Care must be taken to ensure that these "pops" do not damage equipment or ears associated with the mic preamp ouputs. It is a good idea to lower the sound level of the associated equipment.

Bias Supply

Each channel can be biased. Bias supply can be coded inside of the chassis nearby the front panel.

When an internal bridge is soldered in the +3V is applied via 2.7kOhm resistor to the mid pin of the RF phono jack. This 3V bias voltage should allow virtually all mics to work correctly (mics with electret capsules and no additional circuitry inside).

While using microphones that do not require bias, the bias bridge of the belonging mic channel must be unsoldered or cut out.
 

Clipping Indicator

The Mic-Amp has a build in clipping indicator in really two complete seperate channels that can provide assistance in setting the gain control.

It has a characteristic somewhat between that of a peak and VU control (short attack and long release time). It is a quasi reference and should force you into a lower gain setting if necessary. Even if the red LED is lighting, you are far from the mic amp's clipping point.
 

Batteries and external Voltage supplies

The IBF-MP21 is designed to operate on one 9 V battery or accumulator or external 9V power supply (It contains a reverse polarity protection device).

Note: The audio performance, respectively the maximum output voltage swing depends on the batterie voltage which drops down during it's life-time. This is not the case when using an external electronically stabilized voltage supply. Using a 9V or rather 8.4V accumulator results in short service.


Appendices

 

Controls, Connectors and Indicators

GAIN CONTROL (built in rotary power switch)

Selects the amount of gain from input to output for channel 1

MIC IN / LINE IN

unbalanced MIC-Input CH1 accepts microphone level signals,
unbalanced MIC/Line-Input CH2 accepts microphone to Line level (when trimmed) signals.

Both input channels use RF Phono jacks recommended for semi permanent connections in audio applications.

LINE OUT

unbalanced line level signals via RF Phono jacks. Output is short circuit protected and can drive long cables.

trimmable input attentuator

20 turn trimmer inside. With a little screw driver gain of CH2 can be trimmed.

POWER LED

LED illuminates green when the unit is powered.

CLIPPING INDICATOR LED

LED illuminates red at clipping

POWER Switch

Is part of the gain control potentiometer. Powers the unit when the switch is moved from the marked OFF-position.

Bias Supply Coding

Sits inside of the chassis. One bridge per channel. If changes in settings are necessary continue as follows:

Open the battery compartment by removing the covering plate.

Disconnect the battery.

While looking inside the compartment you see 2 srews.

Unscrew them.

Turn the amp.

Lift off the top cover and draw it out of the front panel rim.

Make your new settings. The NC-bridge  refers to bias supply of MIC-CH1, respectively bridge 2 (NO) to Channel2.

Cover the micamp housing, screw it, fix the battery and close the battery compartment

Finished.

Note: delivery state is bridge 1 soldered in and no bridge for channel 2..

BATTERY Compartment

Requires one 9V batterie or accumulator for operation. Due to the 25 mA Power requirements we recommend the use of a accumulator.

Also the Unit can be powered by a Plug In Power Supply. Use a type which can give you an electronically stabilized 9V supply voltage (Unstabilized Power supply can cause damages and/or hum and noise).

 

Specifications

Number of preamplifier channel

2 (1 Mic, 1 Line (Mic possible))

Connectors

RF phono jacks for both inputs and outputs

Input

unbalanced, capacitor coupled, input impedance >20kOhm (2kOhm with bias supply turned on)

Output

unbalanced, capacitor coupled, output impedance approx. 100 Ohm , short circuit protected
guaranteed output level without clipping +3dBu (full battery)
Note: 0dBu=0.7746Vrms

Gain Rang

up to 52 dB input to output, CH1 potentiometer controlled, CH2 controlled by trimming potentiometer

 

Frequency Response

20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0.5, -1 dB (relative to 1 kHz)

Output Clipping Level

> 4.5Vss (10 kOhm load) at an supply voltage of 9V
> 2.5Vss (10 kOhm load) at an supply voltage of 6.5V

Clipping Indicator Level

indicates clipping far below output level clipping

Clipping indicator LED

Red indicates clipping (1 LED ea. channel). short attack time, long release time.

THD + Noise + IMD

THD < 0,009%

THD & Noise < 0.05%
SNR > 64 dB
IMD < 0.005%

Bias Supply

typ. 3V coupled via 2.7kOhm resistor

Power

1x 9V batterie

Power LED

Green indicates power ON

Polarity

Mic input to line output is non-inverting.

Operating Temperature Range

0 to 40 degrees Celsius (32 to 104 degrees F)

Dimensions

34 mm x 68 mm x 120 mm (h x w x d) (1 11/32"  x  2 11/16"  x  4 23/32")

Weight (unit only)

158 grams (5 5/8 oz.)

Certification

CE Conformity statement


CE Conformity Statement

I declare under my sole responsibility, that the product microphone preamplifier "IBF-MP21" combined with the microphone "IBF-EMM8" is in conformity with the following european standard: EMC Directive no. 89/336 EEC.

This is documented by accordance with the following standards:

EN 50081-1
EN 50082-1
EN 55011 (CISPR 11)
EN 55022 (CISPR 22)

Viernheim/Germany , 06 . 06 . 2000

(This decalaration of conformity is suitable to the European Standard EN 45014,
"General criteria for suppliers declaration of conformity")
 


Limited Warranty

 

IBF (engineering office Wolfgang Frank) warrants the IBF-MP21 preamplifier against defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year from date of original purchase. We will repair or replace the product at no charge provided that the product is returned, shipping prepaid, to the manufacturer.

This warranty does not apply if, in our opinion, the product has been damaged due to abuse, misuse, misapplication, accident or as a result of service and modification by other than an authorized dealer.

For all service, including warranty repair, please send the IBF-MP21, along with proof of purchase date to:

Wolfgang Frank
Ingenieurbuero f. Akustik, Elektronik, Messtechnik
Alexanderstr. 66
68519 Viernheim
Germany

Tel. +49 (0) 6204 6608
Fax. +49 (0) 6204 6608
sales@ibf-akustik.de
http://www.ibf-akustik.de/


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