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Hi @2234rew
As long as the mic calibration file closely matches the response of the mic, either mic will work just fine for DRC.
Kind regards,
Mitch
So, what about something like the motu ultralite mk5?@mccarty350 I agree 100%. Unfortunately, for many, there is no easy way to use an analog mic in their setup... The majority of consumer DAC's don't have a corresponding ADC (and mic preamp). Adding an external ADC with mic preamp is back to the 2 clock scenario. If 2 channel only, then one can purchase a separate AD/DA converter with mic preamp like a Scarlett 2i2 or Steinberg UR12 for a couple hundred bucks. And reliably take 2 channel measurements.
As you and others have found out, the real challenge is multichannel. Many folks have purchased DAC's like Okto dac8Pro or exaSound and other high performance multichannel DAC's that don't come with an ADC/mic preamp So no easy solution... Even some of the Pro converters only have an ADC, like the Lynx Hilo I use, so an external mic preamp is required. No big deal, except the majority of mic preamps made today are for music production and finding a "real" mic measurement preamp (like the old trusty Rane MS1) is almost impossible. For example, Earthworks made incredible measurement mic preamps (not cheap) like the Earthworks 1022 2 channel ZDT preamp. But no more. I contacted them to find out what mic preamps they recommended with their measurement mics and they answered Grace and Millenia. I have not looked into those brands as of yet.
So unless one is using a multichannel Pro DAC with a built in mic preamp, or a sound card like yours, there are many cases where using a USB mic is pretty much the only way to make it work. And that a typical USB mic costs $100 or less, is another reason why they are so popular, aside from simple plug n play.
I'm using an Asus Xonar sound card that has a mic in. I had to use a 20-some dollar phantom power supply that is inline but other than that that's about it. Indeed, I'm running 8 channels so it's been...challenging.@mccarty350 I agree 100%. Unfortunately, for many, there is no easy way to use an analog mic in their setup... The majority of consumer DAC's don't have a corresponding ADC (and mic preamp). Adding an external ADC with mic preamp is back to the 2 clock scenario. If 2 channel only, then one can purchase a separate AD/DA converter with mic preamp like a Scarlett 2i2 or Steinberg UR12 for a couple hundred bucks. And reliably take 2 channel measurements.
As you and others have found out, the real challenge is multichannel. Many folks have purchased DAC's like Okto dac8Pro or exaSound and other high performance multichannel DAC's that don't come with an ADC/mic preamp So no easy solution... Even some of the Pro converters only have an ADC, like the Lynx Hilo I use, so an external mic preamp is required. No big deal, except the majority of mic preamps made today are for music production and finding a "real" mic measurement preamp (like the old trusty Rane MS1) is almost impossible. For example, Earthworks made incredible measurement mic preamps (not cheap) like the Earthworks 1022 2 channel ZDT preamp. But no more. I contacted them to find out what mic preamps they recommended with their measurement mics and they answered Grace and Millenia. I have not looked into those brands as of yet.
So unless one is using a multichannel Pro DAC with a built in mic preamp, or a sound card like yours, there are many cases where using a USB mic is pretty much the only way to make it work. And that a typical USB mic costs $100 or less, is another reason why they are so popular, aside from simple plug n play.
Yes obviously a good choiceSo, what about something like the motu ultralite mk5?
Hah, I was replying just as you posted. I keep looking at these types of solutions, and get very tempted, but I have hard time justifying a purchase that would only be used for AL measurement and otherwise sit idle.Yes obviously a good choice
Has both mic pre input and D to A outputs
Use it for both measurements and for playback - happy days
I have 10 channel Focusrite 18i20 Gen 3 - also happy days
Measurements seem good enough, but it's always in the back of my mind that something "might" be off.
I have a couple of multichannel DACs. Exasound e38 and a Topping DM7, so I already have 1 more DAC than I need, and looking at my closet of unused stuff, my history of selling my older stuff is very poor. I'm really trying not to buy another DACYes I didn't realise time of flight issues (driver delays) were off in measurements until I stopped using the 2 clocks method and ditched ASIO4ALL - good riddance !
What is your complete playback chain - you can't use something like Focusrite or Motu in playback? Not only measurements
There is now 4th Gen Focusrite, so expect clearance sales on the still excellent 3rd gen
No they are separate balanced input and output.How do the outputs on that focusrite function. I see 8 balanced TRS? that seem to be labeled both input and output. So are those configuratble to be either?
I'm really trying not to buy another DAC![]()
Thanks for reply, and yeah I did refer to the manual. It was very helpful.It is really important to get the best out of Audiolense's true time domain correction, otherwise it is almost useless in my experience (seeing different delays)
With separate clocks for DAC and ADC, you don't really know if your time domain corrections are anywhere close to accurate
And they can vary each time you reboot the system and re-measure
Impossible for anyone to know how far the measured delays are off.The $1000 question is, do I want to spend the money on the measurement upgrade, and even if I find timings were off, would the discrepancy be enough for my ears to notice a difference with the improved filter.
I actually ended up picking one up along with ISEMcon mic. @2234rew helped to convince me to move away from the USB mic (Thanks!)A few folks in this forum use the Motu ultralight mk5 for measurements and as their main DAC. It has 10 outputs and the prices are starting to drop. They are ~650$ on eBay but you can find for less.
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In my case, I never used ASIO4ALL as my DACs ASIO driver in combination with UMIK-1's drivers "worked".Very nice purchases. you can delete ASIO4ALL forever, good riddance
In that respect, not putting down the UMIK, it seems you aquired a very high quality measurement mic. Is the Motu used only for measurements or is it now the main DAC too?In my case, I never used ASIO4ALL as my DACs ASIO driver in combination with UMIK-1's drivers "worked".
But after listening to new filters, it's obvious the new filters are different in a very good way, and I suspect it's because the timings are more accurate leading to better filters produced by AL.
Garbage in and garbage out seems to somewhat apply here.
Sorry, I missed that, but as you have found out from @2234rew it is a high quality MCH converter. And now you are getting consistent and repeatable measurements with the timing intact. It does make an audible difference. (PS. I own an mk5 as well).So, what about something like the motu ultralite mk5?
It will get a good deal of use, but can't quite do everything I would like for playback.In that respect, not putting down the UMIK, it seems you aquired a very high quality measurement mic. Is the Motu used only for measurements or is it now the main DAC too?