Microphone Polar Plot Substitution Method Using Outline ET250-3D

A test sequence specifically written for the Outline ET250-3D turntable

Introduction

This sequence measures the directional response of a microphone and graphs the result as a polar plot.   A log sweep stimulus is played from 100 Hz to 10 kHz at each angular increment, and the acquired waveform is analyzed using the Time Selective Response algorithm.  This method allows the test to be performed in a non-anechoic environment by placing a window around the direct signal, eliminating the influence of reflections.  Commands are sent automatically to the Outline ET250-3D turntable via an ethernet connection, instructing it to move in 10 degree increments after each measurement.  The sequence measures the response every 10 degrees from 0 to 180 and mirrors the polar image, which simulates a full 360 degree polar and saves test time.   The response at each angular increment is compared against the on-axis response to create a normalized curve.  This removes the influence of the device’s frequency response and sensitivity, such that the polar plot only shows the directional response.  The final display also contains a graph of the directivity index in decibels versus frequency.

Required Software

• SoundCheck 18 or later
• 2004 – Post Processing
• 2006 – Time Selective Response
• 2011 – Polar Plot

Required Hardware

• Outline ET250 (requires ethernet port and cable)
• Genelec 8331A (powered) or KEF Q300/350 (unpowered), (or equivalent full range loudspeaker)
• Listen SC Amp power amplifier (or equivalent)
• Listen SCM-3 (or other reference microphone for calibration)
• Listen AudioConnect audio interface (or equivalent)

If testing past 20 kHz an AudioConnect 4×4 audio interface and SoundConnect 2 microphone power supply are recommended.

• B&K 4231 calibrator (or equivalent)

Setup Diagram

Connect the Turntable to the SoundCheck Host Computer

1. For a LAN connection, connect both the Outline turntable and the SoundCheck PC to your LAN using appropriate network cables.
2. For a direct connection, connect the Ethernet port on the Outline turntable to the Ethernet port on your SoundCheck host computer using an appropriate network cable. When using a direct connection, you will need to configure the host computer’s IP address in order to pair it with the turntable as follows:
   1. The turntable’s IP address can be accessed by holding down the Stop button while powering the unit on. The address will be displayed on the turntable’s 4 digit alphanumeric display. Write this number down.
   2. The computer’s IP address can be configured as follows:
      1. Windows: Open Network and Sharing Center. Click on Local Area Connection > Properties > Internet Protocol 4 > Properties > Use The Following IP Address. Manually enter the same IP address as the turntable with the exception of the last digit (make sure the last digit is different).
      2. macOS: Open System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP > Configure IPv4: Manually. Enter the same IP address as the turntable with the exception of the last digit (make sure the last digit is different) and make sure the subnet mask ends with 0 (zero).

Configuring the Outline Ethernet Custom VI

There are two configurable parameters in the Outline Ethernet custom VI: network address and movement.

Network Address

This parameter can be configured manually or automatically.  Automatic is the recommended method

Automatic: Open the Outline Ethernet custom VI editor and in the Address Selection section, select Scan Network and then click the Scan Network button.  SoundCheck will search for the turntable and automatically populate the address information into the Detected Units table.  If the host computer is on both a LAN and wireless network, multiple instances of the turntable may be visible in the Detected Units table.

Manual: Open the Outline Ethernet custom VI editor and in the Address Selection section select User Entry. Enter the host computer’s Ethernet IP address in the Network Adapter field and the turntable’s address in the IP address field.

An example of a manual entry use case would be if you are writing a sequence which will be used at another location and you wish to enter the known address values of the destination site.

Movement

There are three configurable parameters for turntable Movement: Type, Direction and Wait Until Rotation Stops.

Type: The movement type options are Move to Angle and Move in Angle Steps.

In Move to Angle, the user inputs a specific target angle into the Angle entry box.  An example of this use case would be entering 0° to return the turntable to its Home position.

In Move in Angled Steps, the user inputs the desired angular increment of rotation into the Angle entry box. An example of this use case would be entering 10° in order to move the turntable in 10° increments for measurement of polar data.

Direction: Direction allows you to specify clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the turntable

Wait Until Rotation Stops: The Wait until rotation stops checkbox will cause the Sound Check sequence to pause and wait until the turntable stops moving before continuing to the next step. This is required in the first two Outline Custom Steps but not for the last step since it simply jumps to the final display.

Hardware Setup and Calibration

1. Connect the turntable ethernet cable to the ethernet interface on the computer.
2. Connect Output 1 of the audio interface to the input of the power amplifier and connect the output of the power amplifier to the loudspeaker.
3. Connect the microphone power supply outputs to Inputs 1 and 2 on your audio interface.
4. Connect the reference microphone to input 1 of the microphone power supply.
5. Connect the DUT microphone to Input 2 the mic power supply. Use a phantom power supply if the mic requires 48V power.
6. Calibrate the reference microphone as per the instructions in the SoundCheck manual.
7. Position the reference microphone at the desired test location on the turntable stand. This must match the test position of the DUT microphone.
8. Equalize the Source Speaker according to the instructions in the SoundCheck Manual: Calibration Chapter > Speaker Equalization. Even though the equalization of the source is not used in the Mic Substitution method, the calibration of the playback level of the source is.
9. After measuring the reference mic at the 0 degree position, the sequence will prompt you to replace it with the DUT microphone.

Get Sequence

Download Sequence (zip file)
Download Sequence documentation (PDF)