Microphone Frequency Response and Sensitivity Test Sequence
This is sequence is a basic example of the two most common microphone measurements: frequency response and sensitivity
Introduction
This is sequence is a basic example of the two most common microphone measurements: frequency response and sensitivity. A stepped sine sweep is played from 10 kHz to 100 Hz through a source that has previously been calibrated to produce 1 Pascal across the frequency band. The recorded signal is analyzed with a Heterodyne analysis step, which calculates the response curve. A post processing step is then used to extract the level at 1 kHz, the sensitivity value. Limits are set around both the frequency response and the sensitivity, but the default values are arbitrary and should be adapted to your particular device.
The final display shows two graphs. The top X-Y graph displays the data at its absolute level in dBV/Pa. The lower graph shows the same response curve but normalized to 0 dB at 1 kHz. This is a common way of displaying microphone frequency response and applying limits.
Required Hardware
- Audio Interface – Listen AudioConnect or similar
- Power Amplifier – Listen SCAmp or similar
- Reference Microphone – Listen SCM-3 or similar
- Source Speaker
- Phantom Power Supply (if needed by DUT Mic)
Setup Diagram
Hardware Setup and Calibration
- Calibrate the mouth simulator or source speaker as instructed in the SoundCheck manual.
- Connect output 1 of your audio interface to the input of the amplifier.
- Connect the output of the amplifier to your mouth simulator or source speaker.
- Connect the output of the DUT to input 1 of your audio interface.
Get Sequence
This sequence is included in the Sequence folder of your SoundCheck installation.
