Mic Testing

GenJerDan

GenJerDan

Veteran
Having no actual audio test equipment, what suggestions do you have regarding the testing of microphones?

Just setting there, talking? Playing some test-tone files on a computer or CD player?

Assuming any of the above would be ok, what else along with it? Off-axis tests and such?
 
Field-testing will tell you quite a lot about a mic. See how it performs in various real-world applications: interriors, exteriors, booming from above, booming from below, reflective rooms, quiete locations, noisey street corners. If its an instrument or vocal mic, test it out in a vocal or musical session. A/B compare it with mics that you're more familiar with.

Playing test tones into it won't tell you very much if you're not using high-end monitoring speakers. If you're using mid- to low-end speakers, you won't know whether you're hearing (or not hearing) the shortcomings of the mic or the speakers.

Shaking a ring of keys in front of the mic will also tell you quite a bit about how its handling high-frequency peaks.

Are you trying to evaluate the quality of a mic, or are you trying diagnose a second hand or possibly damaged mic?
 
I'm planning on buying a bunch of different mics...well, maybe not a bunch...just to see what's what.

A/B testing could work, but right now all I have is the Azden SGM-2X. Not the best baseline to work from. :)
 
Read the stickies, and rent some of the higher-end reccomendations.

Once you get to know mic's like the Sennheiser MKH416, you'll have a better benchmark for comparison.
 
make a trip to group3 or ambient , you will be able get some live explanation and testing what is the best to use with , quit educated people in both places .
after that keep an eye on a german Ebay , a friend of my picked neumann 81 for less the 650us $ last week ,
 
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