Omnimic V2 vs Umik-1! Why I changed

Рет қаралды 34,656

Күн бұрын

Have you ever wondered if there is a difference between calibrated microphones? After all, if they are both calibrated, shouldn't that mean they are all the same? If you think this, you'd be wrong. Take a look at why I changed from the MiniDSP Umik-1 to the Dayton Audio Omnimic V2.
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Пікірлер: 99

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

Update: The Dayton Omnimic no longer comes with the test CD or DVD. You can download the CD tracks for free here: www.daytonaudio.com/product/1052/omnimic-v2-precision-measurement-system You can also buy the hard CD or DVD from Parts Express here: bit.ly/omnimicdvd

@lio1234234 3 жыл бұрын

Omnimic Vs umik-2?

@taiyoutube7016 2 жыл бұрын

omnimic- acoustic measurement tool sofware, I don't see a download on the wed www.daytonaudio.com

@ts6640 Жыл бұрын

I believe the link you provided is broken. Of course I guess you get a pass considering the video is 3 years old!

@Jamy4ya 2 жыл бұрын

Things have changed :- New UMIK-1 comes with USB-C & Freq Response from 8Hz-to-20Khz, as I own one and not to mention the build quality is awesome as well.

@Jon-nz3dm Жыл бұрын

I was about to say, it may be listed as 20hz-20khz but it's known to measure the response well below 10hz.

@endall39 5 жыл бұрын

One correction. A calibrated mic isn’t designed to give you a “flat” response. It is calibrated to give you an “accurate” response. Getting a flat response is the tuning you do to address the peaks and valleys revealed by an accurate measurement.

@johnviera3884 2 ай бұрын

Imagine paying $300 for a flat linear microphone that needs a calibration file to be flat and linear

@JoshM7 5 жыл бұрын

I really need to get one, I know my system sounds good to my ears, but I'd love to see how it graphs and where I can improve. Thanks for the video!

@joentell 5 жыл бұрын

You've convinced me about this Omni-Mic. I like the easy to use impulse response/windowing feature. I would need to run bootcamp on my MacBook Pro or get a dedicated Windows laptop to use this.

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

That's a good point. I didn't even think about that.

@davehallock3656 5 жыл бұрын

use vmware fusion. never have to leave OSX or reboot.....

@maz4bz592 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, I purchased an Omnimic based on your thoughts here. Please would you do a follow up showing how to do high quality measurements. I seem to have some variability in my measurements which really impacts on my ability to reliably set the relative acoustic delay in XSim so that the forward lobe is straight ahead (or where I want it). Thanks!

@mthemaniac 3 жыл бұрын

Have you tried ARTA? It would be nice to find a software that could use multiple mics to take multiple measurements at the same time. Also, have you verified the accuracy of the Omnimic below 20 Hz?

@jeanpierremazare 5 жыл бұрын

How would you use the Omnimic software to help position a speaker for Home Theatre application and do you think I can use the calibrated mic that came with my Emotiva XMC-1? ( I think it's a UMIK-1). Thanks, JP

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

You definitely can use any calibrated microphone. Basically you would put your calibrated microphone at the listening position run a sweep with rew and then move your speaker and run another sweep. With the Omni mic makes it a little easier as a sweep continues and gives you live measurements. Then keep your speaker where it measures best for you and your room

@kenbrophy9547 3 жыл бұрын

What about the Umik,-2? I need a mic and cannot de ixe between the two. Also, Umik-1 FAQ page says it will measure down to 5Hz.

@kiangonthetube 3 жыл бұрын

Am a newbie at audio measurements , a comprehensive video series on how to measure all the various aspects in speaker design using the Omnimic V2 would go down a treat , can you help?

@saturnfrak 4 жыл бұрын

Just wondering why not using s/w that make this sweep in loops and check the result in ARTA? like paying that much for this feature sounds strange...

@napatencie4421 2 жыл бұрын

What about Clio Pocket? Maybe it is better than Dayton and Mini DSP? In near future i must buy something like that.

@notagunfreak8146 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, I am low on money but I still want to eq my setup, is the Dayton Audio iMM-6 Calibrated Measurement Microphone any good? Its only 20 bucks and would this mic be a good starting point? Thanks in advance! .

@amsb4dafunk406 3 жыл бұрын

I use it all the time for my dj rig. It is a good starting point, for very little money.

@tmaros163 5 жыл бұрын

Hi! What about phase measurement? Wouldn't be better to use 2-channel measurement?

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

You can do that. I'm just sitting how easy it is to decipher problem areas and fixes

@Morgooooo 5 жыл бұрын

The umik-1 has a frec response from 8hz-20khz it says even on the box wich it came! I tested it ! it is working !

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

According to mini DSP, the makers of it and there datasheet, it's 20 Hertz to 20 kilohertz. www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/umik-1. I know there's a few places you can buy it calibrated lower, for a fee. But directly from mini DSP it's not calibrated any lower than 20 Hertz

@Legendenwelten 5 жыл бұрын

@@Toid Wrong, the calibration file from MiniDSP goes down to 10Hz.

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

@@Legendenwelten I'm going to go ahead and e-mail Mini Dsp to see where the discrepancy is. I'm not sure why they would claim only 20hz and then calibrate it to 10hz. My suspicion is that is only calibrated to 20hz, but below that is a guesstimate. There is something similar with my omnimic. It's calibration file goes down to 4.6hz, but it is only calibrated to 10hz.

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

@@Legendenwelten I heard back from miniDSP. Here is what they said, "Thanks for your interest in our products. Indeed the calibration file goes down to 10Hz. The statement on the datasheet is with regards to the /- 1dB rating which was done in a lab. Measuring (and calibrating) at very low frequency is extremely hard in factory environment. For that reason, we rather be safe to state that the rated frequency response (-/ 1dB) is just for 20Hz. The mic will however measure fine all the way to 5Hz." So according to them, they cannot guarantee their +-1db past 20hz, but you should still be fairly accurate down to 5hz. Which is really good and thankfully MiniDsp clarified that.

@hhbeatmaker1 Жыл бұрын

Did Parts Express/Dayton Audio discontinue the Omni Mic?

@Toid Жыл бұрын

It appears to be on clearance. Hopefully something better is in the works

@mikem8533 Жыл бұрын

How do you get the OmniMic to work with REW? I don't think it works with REW. I was going to buy the omnimic butg everywhere I read (including parts express) it says the omnimic won't work with REW. If it does then i'd be more likely to go that route, since i could use both. REW seems to do some things that the omnimic software doesn't.

@Toid Жыл бұрын

It works fine with Rew. You just plug it in and the upload the calibration file

@mikem8533 Жыл бұрын

@@Toid thank you! I assume you’ve actually used the omnimic with REW? I have been trying to find a definitive answer for days. I saw one person on AVS forum saying it did work, but then a bunch of people saying it didn’t. I also saw someone ask in the FAQ page on parts express iirc. But a lot of the answers were old so I was hoping maybe REW had been updated to work with the omnimic. The omnimic software looks easier to use than REW, but there is a lot more help readily available for REW on the online forums and such so it would be nice to still have the option to use REW. I don’t know if OmniMic has the time alignment feature like REW. Does it? I am brand new to trying to take measurements. Would you still recommend the OmniMic over the UMIK-1?

@Toid Жыл бұрын

@@mikem8533 I have used it with REW, especially in the beginning. But honestly, I exclusively use it with Omnimic software for what I do. I’m not sure why anyone would think it wouldn’t work with REW. Any mic will work. Of course you want a calibrated microphone and for Rew to understand the calibration you just need the calibration file which is included with the Omnimic. Now it is important to note that the Omnimic software will only work with an Omnimic, as your computer has to recognize that specific microphone. As to answer your question, without a doubt I still recommend the Omnimic over the Umik.

@mikem8533 Жыл бұрын

@@Toid awesome. Thanks for the detailed reply! I really appreciate it.

@hhbeatmaker1 Жыл бұрын

@@Toid Has Parts Express discontinued the OmniMic? Can't find on website any longer .

@Malakyte-Studio 5 жыл бұрын

I wish I could find this "A vs. B" video: - actual characteristics comparison (SN/R, Max SPL, sample rate, etc...) - actual frequency response comparison with real measurements (1 given speaker with 2 mics alternatively used at the same position) - on-axis vs. 90° off axis measurements for both - a more exhaustive overall pros and cons (large body size for the Omnimic, large capsule diameter for the UMIK-1) Additionally, you may have unintentionally proven in this video how inconsistent the sweep measurements can be with the Omnimic software. We can see the graphs changing by at least 1 or 2 dB from one pass to another.

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

I don't have my Umik-1 anymore, so I can't do some of that. What you're actually seeing with the omnimic is it is getting rid of the reflections in the measurements. Its actually a lot better at giving it accurate responses do to that. You can even sum the measurements if you want the most accurate response.

@chrisperez7592 5 жыл бұрын

Actually, both the OmniMic and the UMIK-1 use a 6mm capsule. Doing an A vs. B comparison would give you pretty much the same results between the two (+/- 1 Db or so, and that is only calibration related). About the only difference might be at high SPL, according to the UMIK-1 specs the distortion is 1% THD @ 1 kHz: 133 dB, for the OmniMic it is 127 dB... I've never tested that though, I don't see how the UMIK-1 could handle higher SPL than the OmniMic unless it is a limit of the OmniMic's internal DAC.

@Malakyte-Studio 5 жыл бұрын

@@chrisperez7592 you are right but the polar piece (tip of the mic) is rather different between the two mics and will affect their 90° off-axis capability. It is known that the body of the mic has some influence on the acoustic data if you measure a loudspeaker aiming at it or with the mic positioned vertically.

@300ZCorradoVR6Z 4 жыл бұрын

You can also do real time measurement on REW using sine sweeps! I have done this before.

@BFArch0n 3 жыл бұрын

how exactly???

@300ZCorradoVR6Z 3 жыл бұрын

@@BFArch0n You can configure use the RTA and generator to do that.

@2wilbster 5 жыл бұрын

Do you still have your Umik-1?

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

I don't. I sold it a little after I bought my Omnimic.

@BFArch0n 3 жыл бұрын

Damn, wish REW would support the live response curves!

@Toid 3 жыл бұрын

I know that is a downfall of the program. It would be nice if it was an option.

@300ZCorradoVR6Z 3 жыл бұрын

@@Toid You might want to have another look at REW functions! It does that!

@Pedrodemio 5 жыл бұрын

I don't know if it's and exception but my UMIK-1 calibration goes down to 10Hz

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

@pedrodemio that is interesting. They only claim for it to be calibrated down to 20 Hertz. That's pretty cool that yours is calibrated that low

@djkikods 4 жыл бұрын

@@Toid It`s being updated , it goes 8Hz to 20kHz +-1 now

@joentell 5 жыл бұрын

The question I have is what is that awesome looking speaker behind you???? The dimensions are perfect. Those drivers look beastly! 🤯

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

Just wait until you hear them. :)

@joentell 5 жыл бұрын

I just watched. The speaker looks amazing! The measurements make me even more excited for this project. I wonder if we should let our audience name this speaker. 😊

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

@@joentell I think that's a great idea!

@HowDareYouu 5 жыл бұрын

unfortunately Omni it's also 3times more expensive. Btw, what happens if u don't have a CD player (it's 2019) can you download online the content from the CD?

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

That is a good point. It is more expensive, but over the life of using it, it would be well worth it in my opinion. Especially with the sub 20hz calibration. Yes, you can download the files. They are free to download here: www.daytonaudio.com/index.php/omnimic-v2-precision-measurement-system.html

@russellborrego1689 5 жыл бұрын

Almost all devices that play a DVD or a Blu Ray, also play a CD. Except the PS4, because Sony is a pain in the ass like that.

@noisebot11 5 жыл бұрын

you can play the frequency sweep or pink noise directly from the sound card output of your computer. Should be under the "config" menu header.

@HowDareYouu 5 жыл бұрын

@@russellborrego1689 never laptops or pc don't have cd/dvd drives anymore

@HowDareYouu 5 жыл бұрын

@@Toid ehhh... maybe I'll buy the Omni, in my country it's even more, $350 (EU)

@avia4281 4 жыл бұрын

Iam very unlucky. I have two umik-1 and both are stuck at weird levels. First umik-1 arrived lose at usb and second mic only 5 uses and after 1 year the tip is loose with stuck dB. Anyone suggest another company besides Dayton or umik-1 at under $150 range? I-am now going back to using my 13 year old radio shack model 33-4060 sound level meter.I-am also In Hong Kong with Minidsp and they do not allow client visit saying it’s only an engineer location. But they did charge me the $5 usd to ship to me in Hong Kong. I feel Minidsp products are very poor quality and glad I never purchased there avr boxes.

@tomkocur 4 жыл бұрын

If you want the definitive and ultimate solution, you should use a classic XLR measurement mic with no ADC + mic preamp and do a 2channel measurement, where one of the channels is a loopback from the amp (a small circuit to limit the voltage will be needed, but that's just two resistors and two Zener diodes). You run that into the line-in of your soundcard and use something like ARTA to get the data. This is the best way to measure the phase properly (needed for speaker design, absolutely unnecessary for room EQ) ARTA is a great software for audio measurements and comes free for regular use. I use Monacor ECM-40 and MPR-1.

@KING_DRANZER 11 ай бұрын

XLR is not at all accurate unless one is spending thousands of dollars on it.See microphones are not the issue here. Something like Earthworks M30 is dream of person entering into calibration. See a person can factor that into his overall budget but then he fails to get a suitable interface. Because no interface or measuring equipment which you can purchase at a reasonable price can get you flat response out of them. They are not flat at 20hz-20khz range let alone 0hz-40khz. So yeah it won't work in theory. You need pro grade stuff to get accurate measurement out of it. So yes. USB microphones are the best unless one got thousands to spend on the equipment.

@tomkocur 11 ай бұрын

@@KING_DRANZER why would the interface not be linear? :) Even the cheapest onboard codecs can do 20-20k at +-0.5dB; Scarlett Solo does it at 0.1dB on mic input. If you're doing room EQ - sure, get yourself a USB mic, it's practical and easy to use. They're just not enough for loudspeaker design.

@KING_DRANZER 11 ай бұрын

@@tomkocur Nah man unless we use stuff at low gain. Nothing is linear in low or even mid range. And as we turn up the gain the linearity goes down.

@tomkocur 11 ай бұрын

@@KING_DRANZER No :) There's absolutely no technical reason for the linearity to decrease with gain. And it just doesn't happen - do a measurement with gain set to low then set it to high and measure again. You'll see the same exact curve, just higher on Y axis. Been there, did that, you can try it to. Watch this for linearity measurement of Scarlett Solo, it's dead flat up to fs/2: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jLmXralons_alGQ.html

@KING_DRANZER 11 ай бұрын

@@tomkocur It does man. Depending on the interface we pick up it may go down good 1-3db in sub-bass area. And also be peaky or dip at high end. So yeah not linear. For vocals and recording etc that be fine. For room-eq even-though it be acceptable it is not ideal.

@changedahanddlessss 5 жыл бұрын

down side... usb limit is technically 14ft... which blows.. i think v2 comes with a 10ft usb cable i just ordered it. Upside... it has an audio interface in it and it was caliberated with it... Soundcards have their own eq and artifacts... so it will correct that :P fahking amped about getting my v2 kit.. just got dats bundle too

@Toid 5 жыл бұрын

Nice! I'm amped for you! That's a killer setup

@MartyM. 5 жыл бұрын

You can add a USB repeater if really necessary.

@changedahanddlessss 5 жыл бұрын

Marty McLeod That’s what I was thinking too... they even have weird USB extenders that go over ethernet. 😦🥴🤠🤠🤠

@ronchinoy 8 ай бұрын

Omni mic is no longer available my choices are Umm6 or Umic-1

@mankepoot9440 5 жыл бұрын

Since you only measure your room and not your equipment below 300 Hz (due to reflections in your room), improvements under 20 Hz are irrelevant.

@Ryezn5057 5 жыл бұрын

bingo

@NicholasStevensDrBiscuit 4 жыл бұрын

Unless you measure in your room, in which case you can still do something. If you use a minidsp 2x4 or similar for your sub, you can change the filters and see the effect.

@Xyrium 4 жыл бұрын

The Umik is soooo much more accurate out of the box than the Omni. I can't beleive you've chosen the Omni. Seems like you have a number of PE parts there....hmmmm... :)

@bossybill7437 3 жыл бұрын

All I can afford is the Dayton iMM-6. ☹️

@jackjones6936 2 жыл бұрын

CD player! Didn't that die away 20 years ago when lossless audio codecs became a thing?

@eksine 4 жыл бұрын

The poor build quality on the V2 by Dayton is not acceptable. Read the reviews on partsexpress, a $300 with that kind of flaw is a hard pass. I'll stick with the umik from cross spectrum, where they calibrate it with their reference mic

@Toid 4 жыл бұрын

Interesting. I just read the new review. I must say, I'm not sure what it's going on with his mics. I've had mine for years with no adverse issues (and mine is in constant use). I also know numerous others that use it the same way. It's definitely not normal. However, I'm happy that you're happy with your umik1 from cross spectrum. It's a good microphone.

@Renrondog 4 жыл бұрын

The Difference is about $225.

@theHerathrig 3 жыл бұрын

This not a good comparison. The Dayton mic is 4-5 times more expensive than the umik1.

@Clobercow1 3 жыл бұрын

This. $100 for a umik-1 can take you places compared to $300 on amazon for the dayton V2

@keithduffield5239 4 жыл бұрын

EEEK, the difference is not a little bit more. Its a whole brick outhouse more. Its like more than three times the price. And honestly, whats a CD player. At that price they can ship it with a USB Thumb Drive.

@Toid 4 жыл бұрын

Haha. They are both great mics. And I think that the Umik1 is perfect for most people. It all depends on how often you use it and the accuracy you need. There's been a lot of discussion that the Umik1 suffers accuracy in the high end. But if you rarely use it, that's not a big deal. For someone like me that uses it quite often, I want it to be highly accurate and for me the way the software works, works much better for me.

@34Kuro 5 жыл бұрын

get a lav mic for your videos

@minus3dbintheteens60 2 жыл бұрын

Is this a paid review?

@Toid 2 жыл бұрын

@nickloss2377 Жыл бұрын

be careful not to confuse speaker measurements and room measurements. They aren't the same. you shouldn't use this to find the best placements of speakers.. the suggestion of using the Omni mic to see real time changes in response as you move a speaker around room is flawed. the mic should be a set distance from the driver (usually 1ft to 3ft in a professional acoustical analysis...although these two pieces of software might have their own requirements on distance)... if you were to move a speaker around that microphone would have to follow in the identical position in reference to the driver.. it's much better to take two separate measurements. one of the speaker, in order to properly calibrate the sound output from the driver. you can do a separate measurement of the room using the RT60 impulse measurement. place the mic in the center of the room and clap your hands real loud. that's what you need for the room measurement. go to Bob Golds acoustics website (google it) for a wealth of tools to calculate the modes in your room.. etc

@konstantinost3185 3 жыл бұрын

Apart from the fact that this isn't a MIC but rather a Software comparison REW can do all the things you say and some more, you just have to stop been so lazy and read the REW Manual for starters, REW is more powerful, and FREE.