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Re: Low-Noise, Very Small Mics (was binaural mics, XLR conne

Subject: Re: Low-Noise, Very Small Mics (was binaural mics, XLR conne
From: "lilyplants" lilyplants
Date: Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:56 pm ((PDT))
from what ron and scott are saying I understand, low self noise is 17 dB(A) or 
quieter, and 
there are no such quiet very small mics because as the diaphragm size decreases 
noise 
increases. 

bruce meyers, president of DBA, US, explained the browian movement as the noise 
of air 
molecules bumping together. when the space between the diaphragm and metal is 
decreased, the bumping is amplified.

he also said a dirty little secret is that there are no ADS (?) standards for 
testing mic self 
noise. DBA is working for the creation of standards. six mic manufacturers got 
together to 
test their mics. each used their own equipment and methodologies. DPA which 
uses the 
best testing equipment, he said, tested their mics at 20 dB(A), the other five, 
measured 10 
dB(A). The five companies tested the DBA mic or mics at 10 dB(A)  with their 
equipment 
and methods. DBA tested the others at 30 dB(A) with their 
equipment/methodology. He 
said you can estimate the DBA mics to be 5 to 10 dB(A) quieter than other mic 
specs.

Bruce also said there is no method of showing where in the spec, noise will 
occur. the 
human ear hears more in the mid range.

he recommends the 4060 for nature recording which has 23 dB(A) according to 
their 
standards.

What do you think about his comments on DBA tests? It would indicate the 4060 
mics are 
quiet according to the 17 dB(A) or quieter definition.

Lily









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