Specifications

EAW Smaart 6 Operation Manual Getting Started

1.1.2 Measurement Microphone

A measurement microphone is necessary to measure anything other than an electronic de-

vice. Since the measurement mic must accurately convert acoustical pressure into voltage,

we recommend an omnidirectional mic with the flattest possible frequency response.

Condenser microphones are most commonly used for measurement applications. These

require phantom power, either from the mic preamp or an internal battery. A microphone

calibrator is also required to perform calibrated sound pressure measurements.

1.1.3 Microphone Preamplifier

A mic preamp may be required to interface with the measurement mic. It should have

a low noise floor with sufficient gain to drive the computer’s line input(s) at a useful

level. The preamp must include phantom power if a condenser mic is used. Those who

prefer a small mixer, routing device, or FOH console instead of a dedicated mic

preamplifier, make sure to disable all processing (EQ, dynamics, etc.) on the channels

used to drive the measurement system inputs.

1.1.4 Cables and Interconnections

Use only professional-quality cables, adapters, and interconnections to interface the

measurement system with the equipment being measured. If your sound card has three-

conductor 1/8-in stereo connectors, we recommend using breakout cables to convert to

1/4-in phone or XLR connectors.

Y-cables are useful for tying the measurement system into sound systems. Also, as most

sound cards use unbalanced (2-conductor) inputs, several sets of adapters that allow

balanced to unbalanced connections may be necessary.

1.1.5 Additional Useful Equipment

The following equipment may be required depending on the types of measurements you

wish to make:

Mixer/Level Adjustment Device

Although relative signal levels can be set at the computer in many cases, it is helpful to

adjust signal levels externally. Being able to quickly switch the signals reaching the

sound card’s inputs can greatly expedite the measurement process. A compact mixer

with quiet microphone inputs and built-in phantom power is ideal.

Microphone Calibrator and/or Sound Level Meter

To make accurate Sound Pressure Level (SPL) measurements with Smaart 6, the program

must be calibrated using an external reference. The most accurate way to calibrate to

SPL requires a piston microphone calibrator. Calibrating Smaart 6 to SPL can be done

fairly accurately with an SPL meter as a reference if a microphone calibrator is not

available. A high quality sound pressure level meter with an audio output can also be

an effective measurement microphone.