Hi Al,
thanks for the positive review! can you also post some spectrograms an=
d
sound snippets ?
concerning the digital gain.... you can add some digital gain to amplify
the signal if it is too weak, but you don't improve the signal to noise
ratio that is given by the UltraMic. However if you increase the gain you
may have lower dynamic range on the high levels, e.g. if a bat comes much
closer to the microphon. A great help is given by shifting the colour/grey
range to change the levels in the spectrogram as you were
increasing/decreasing gain, but without affecting the recorded signal.
Gianni
2011/4/15 ndbdxr <>
>
>
> Well, as many of you know, the UltraMic200K arrived the other day. The
> weather had been awful here in New York, but, Tonight was the first real
> test for evening bats. And it performed very well indeed!
> The sensitivity of this mic is phenomenal!
>
> I still have a lot of learning to do, as far as the SeaWave software goes=
,
> but I give it a thumbs up, overall. And it can be used with just about an=
y
> software that detects a USB microphone. Audacity, etc.
>
> When it comes to the ability to pick up distant bats on the wing: The mic
> easily matches my beloved BatBox Baton (the best performing bat detector =
of
> my collection).
> I will say, that this is the perfect ultrasonic microphone for those Natu=
re
> Recordists & bat enthusiasts who prefer to muck about with equipment. The
> combinations of software settings seem endless.
>
> I've only just scratched the surface of what can be accomplished with thi=
s
> hardware & software (SeaWave). If I had the full version of SeaPro, I'd h=
ave
> even more (and very desirable) capabilities.
> I just realized that I didn't install Avisoft Apps on this laptop - will
> make a note: To try that software with the UltraMic next.
>
> OK, below is a short review.
>
> The UltraMic200K, the new ultrasonic microphone that has recently become
> available from the folks at http://www.dodotronic.com/.
> You can see more photos and info of the new unit, by visiting the link
> above.
>
> As you will learn from the Dodotronic Web site, the Ultramic200K is a ver=
y
> versatile device, with great specifications and lots of features; so ther=
e
> are quite a few ways in which to record sounds. One can use it straight
> away, simply by plugging it into your portable computer. It may be used w=
ith
> a Windows or Linux operating system. And, you may also try it with any fr=
ee,
> downloadable sound application of your choice.
> I would also point out, that it is an ideal choice for someone who enjoys
> "experimenting" and discovering new ways to use the various (free) softwa=
re
> packages available. Many different combinations of settings are possible.
> I've only tried a few so far.
>
> One of the most outstanding features of this device, is that it is capabl=
e
> of time-expansion bat detecting! To me, this alone was worth the price of
> admission. I've wanted a time-expansion bat detector for years now...
> Another reason that I'm very impressed by this device, is because until
> now, there hasn't been a low-cost ultrasonic microphone available to
> Hobbyists. So, I am pleased to report that the Ultramic200K costs as much=
as
> many conventional bat detectors. 200 Euro + VAT + Shipping. Many of the
> specialty ultrasonic microphones on the market have been very high cost
> units, which also required additional add-on hardware in order to functio=
n.
>
> Since most folks have laptops these days, just about anyone can have a
> professional style bat recording system that's actually affordable. Anoth=
er
> great feature of the Ultramic, is that it plugs right into any laptop, no
> additional hardware components are necessary.
>
> You can find SeaWave here: www.unipv.it/cibra/seawave.html
> I've completed some tests and comparisons on one of the first prototypes =
of
> this unique microphone.
> Recording tests of the UltraMic200K reveal a very capable piece of
> equipment.
>
> The first thing that struck me, was it's ability as a microphone in
> general: It has simply amazing performance! It easily out-performs each o=
f
> the shotgun microphones I had to hand (including the well-known Sennheise=
r
> MKE-300). The sensitivity of this (MEMs-based) microphone is astonishing.
> This is especially noteworthy, as the Ultramic was not designed to perfor=
m
> as a shotgun mic.
> The main feature that I always look for in a new bat detector, is it's
> ability to detect bats from a good distance away. And, I'm happy to repor=
t
> that the Ultramic200K can pick up bats at the same distances as my other =
top
> bat detectors.
>
> Among the options in the SeaWave dialog box, is an option to adjust the
> Digital Gain. Well, just increasing the value in small increments provide=
s
> amazing results - The mic becomes super-sensitive, but at the same time
> doesn't over-saturate or suffer from too much clipping ot distortion. I'm
> not sure how or why that is, but I'm happy about it. I've just never seen=
it
> before.
>
> Kind regards,
> Al
>
>
>
--
Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali
Universit=E0 degli Studi di Pavia
Via Taramelli 24, 27100 Pavia
http://www.unipv.it/cibra
http://mammiferimarini.unipv.it
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