Regarding the preamp settings, Ive recently written the blog entry linked b=
elow. I measured the Ultramic using a 94/110 dB calibrator and with the pre=
amp gain set to medium. In summary medium will manage around 120dB SPL, low=
would start to attenuate.
http://www.urlme.net/blog/?p=3D1698
I also compare the Ultramic with my "old" high frequency setup using a mems=
mic and the Korg MR1- the Ultramic is far more useable in this regard even=
with the laptop dangling from it :)
I was very impressed with the engineering and circuit layout of the Ultrami=
c - its a very well made product. An Impressive "spike" free response that =
covers the whole 100Khz audio spectrum.
A welcome addition to any researchers/students/mad scientists microphone ba=
ckpack.
BR
Mike.
--- In Gianni Pavan <> wrote:
>
> Hi Al,
> thanks for the positive review! can you also post some spectrograms =
and
> sound snippets ?
>
> concerning the digital gain.... you can add some digital gain to ampli=
fy
> 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/gre=
y
> 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 rea=
l
> > 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 go=
es,
> > but I give it a thumbs up, overall. And it can be used with just about =
any
> > software that detects a USB microphone. Audacity, etc.
> >
> > When it comes to the ability to pick up distant bats on the wing: The m=
ic
> > easily matches my beloved BatBox Baton (the best performing bat detecto=
r of
> > my collection).
> > I will say, that this is the perfect ultrasonic microphone for those Na=
ture
> > Recordists & bat enthusiasts who prefer to muck about with equipment. T=
he
> > combinations of software settings seem endless.
> >
> > I've only just scratched the surface of what can be accomplished with t=
his
> > hardware & software (SeaWave). If I had the full version of SeaPro, I'd=
have
> > even more (and very desirable) capabilities.
> > I just realized that I didn't install Avisoft Apps on this laptop - wil=
l
> > 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 becom=
e
> > 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 v=
ery
> > versatile device, with great specifications and lots of features; so th=
ere
> > 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=
with
> > a Windows or Linux operating system. And, you may also try it with any =
free,
> > downloadable sound application of your choice.
> > I would also point out, that it is an ideal choice for someone who enjo=
ys
> > "experimenting" and discovering new ways to use the various (free) soft=
ware
> > packages available. Many different combinations of settings are possibl=
e.
> > I've only tried a few so far.
> >
> > One of the most outstanding features of this device, is that it is capa=
ble
> > 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 mu=
ch 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 funct=
ion.
> >
> > Since most folks have laptops these days, just about anyone can have a
> > professional style bat recording system that's actually affordable. Ano=
ther
> > 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 prototype=
s 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=
of
> > the shotgun microphones I had to hand (including the well-known Sennhei=
ser
> > MKE-300). The sensitivity of this (MEMs-based) microphone is astonishin=
g.
> > This is especially noteworthy, as the Ultramic was not designed to perf=
orm
> > 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 rep=
ort
> > that the Ultramic200K can pick up bats at the same distances as my othe=
r 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 provi=
des
> > 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 se=
en 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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