Today’s room measurement tools are easier to use than ever — even built into digital consoles and smart phones, making what was once drudgery into a convenient, straightforward operation. While the software may be built into or included in your tools at hand (or readily available software packages), all you may need is a USB preamp/interface, a laptop and/or an iPad and you’re ready to go. Well, almost, as an uncolored omnidirectional microphone with a flat frequency response is a must for serious analysis work. With that in mind, we checked out a few affordable offerings and found a wide selection to suit any application or budget.
Audix TM1PLUS
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±2 dB)
- Max SPL: 130 dB
- Sensitivity: 6 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 28 dBA
- Powering: 24-48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Includes calibration data
- Street Price: $299
beyerdynamic MM1
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Max SPL: 122 dB
- Sensitivity: 15 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 26 dBA
- Powering: 12 – 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Includes measured frequency response curve
- Street Price: $249
https://north-america.beyerdynamic.com
dbx RTA-M
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Max SPL: 120 dB
- Sensitivity: 63 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: Not stated
- Powering: 9-52 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Designed for use with dbx DriveRacks
- Street Price: $130
Earthworks M23
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 9 Hz – 23 kHz (+1/-3 dB)
- Max SPL: 142 dB
- Sensitivity: 34 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 20 dBA
- Powering: 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Includes printed frequency response chart
- Street Price: $499
Goldline TEF04P
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±1dB)
- Max SPL: 123 dB
- Sensitivity: 9.1 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: not stated
- Powering: 12 – 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Designed for use with TEF systems
- Street Price: $435
Josephson C550H
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±2 dB)
- Max SPL: 135 dB
- Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 30 dBA
- Powering: 15 – 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Individually calibrated C555H also avail.
- Street Price: $490
Mellab MYc-3
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 10 Hz – 20kHz (±2 dB)
- Max SPL: 140 dB
- Sensitivity: 15 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 23 dBA
- Powering: 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Street Price: $325
MicW M416
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±3 dB)
- Max SPL: 130 dB
- Sensitivity: 30 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 30 dBA
- Powering: 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: ¼” capsule
- Street Price: $169
Neumann MA-1
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20kHz (±3 dB)
- Max SPL: 132 dB
- Sensitivity: 30 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 27 dBA
- Powering: 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Designed for use with Neumann KH-series monitors
- Street Price: $299
NTI Audio M4261
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 5 Hz – 20 kHz
- Max SPL: 142 dB
- Sensitivity: 16 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 27 dBA
- Powering: 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: ¼” capsule
- Street Price: $640
Peavey PVR-2
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±3dB)
- Max SPL: 132 dB
- Sensitivity: 14 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: Not stated
- Powering: 9 – 52 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: ¼” capsule
- Street Price: $149
PreSonus PRM1
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Max SPL: 132 dB
- Sensitivity: 14 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 26 dBA
- Powering: 9 – 52 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Recommended for use with StudioLive mixers
- Street Price: $99
Rational Acoustics RTA-420
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz (±3 dB)
- Max SPL: 110 dB
- Sensitivity: 7mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: Not stated
- Powering: 9-52 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Optional calibration files
- Street Price: $99
SonarWorks Sound ID Reference
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±3 dB)
- Max SPL: 132 dB
- Sensitivity: 14 mV/Pa
- Self-Noise: 24 dBA
- Powering: 48 VDC phantom
- Termination: XLR-M
- Notes: Includes two calibration files
- Street Price: $89
Studio Six Digital iTestMic 2
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±3 dB)
- Max SPL: Switchable 26-96 and 48-120 dBA
- Sensitivity: n/a
- Self-Noise: Not stated
- Powering: Via iOS device
- Termination: USB-C or Apple iOS Lightning
- Notes: Designed to interface with iPad/iPhones
- Street Price: $229
