Hardware Recommendations
Any of the items below can now be purchased with SpectraPLUS.
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information
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order online!
There are a large selection of sound cards on the market. It is not practical for us to test the performance of each and every model but test results for some recommended sound cards are shown below:
Manufacturer:
E-MU
Systems
Model:
Tracker Pre
Features:
- Up to 24bit/192kHz Stereo A/D
- Dual Channel Balanced I/O
- 48V Phantom Power
- High Quality Mic Preamps
- Ground Lift Switches
- Excellent Performance
- Gold Plated Connectors
- Small Package
- Fully USB Bus powered (external power supply is optional - for use as a standalone mic preamp)
For electrical and acoustic signal measurements this box does it all!
Test Results (loop back self test):
- THD:
0.004 % (16 bit)
0.0005% (24 bit) - Frequency Response:
20Hz - 20kHz (0.00/-0.01dB)
5Hz - 85kHz (0.00/-1.00dB)
Click
here to download a test report (PDF)
Manufacturer:
CEntrance
Model:
MicPort Pro
Advantages:
- Direct connection to mic (Female XLR)
- Microphone Preamp
- 48V Phantom Power
- VERY Compact and portable
- Headphone Monitor output
- Fully USB Bus powered (no external power supply needed)
Disadvantages:
- Single channel only
This device gives you a single XLR microphone input with preamp and 48V phantom power with a USB connector on the backside. No need for an external power supply or external preamp. If you are making acoustic measurements and using a phantom powered condenser microphone and require extremely portable operation this device is an ideal solution!
Test Results:
- THD:
0.01 % - Frequency Response:
20Hz - 20kHz (-1.8/+0.0dB)
20Hz - 45kHz (-1.8/-1.0dB)
Click here to download a test report (PDF)
Manufacturer:
Audix
Model: TR-40
Specifications:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 19kHz +1/-3dB
- Sensitivity: 14mV/PA (-37dBV/PA)
- Type: Condenser, Omni-directional
- Capsule Diameter: 1/2" (Audix spec sheet incorrectly states 1/4")
- Max SPL: 128 dB
- Phantom Power required: yes
Manufacturer:
ACO Pacific
Model: 7052PH
Includes:
- 7052 mic capsule
- 4048 phantom powered preamp
- Windscreen
Specifications:
- Frequency Response: 3Hz - 20kHz +/-2dB, Type 1.5
- Frequency response data provided for each individual microphone
- Sensitivity: 22mV/PA (-33dBV/PA)
- Type: Free Field Electret Condenser
- Titanium Diaphragm, Omni-directional
- Capsule Diameter: 1/2"
- Max SPL: 148 dB
- Phantom Power required: yes
- Very stable over time and temperature
Manufacturer:
Lutron
Model: SC-942
Specfications:
- Frequency: 1 kHz
- Level: 94 and 114 dB
- Accuracy:
+/-0.8 dB @ 94 dB
+/-1.0 dB @ 114 dB
IEC942 Type 2 - Power: 9VDC
- Supported Mic Diameter: 1/2" or 1"
Manufacturer:
ACO Pacific
Model: 521
Specifications:
- Frequency: 1 kHz
- Level: 94 and 104 dB
- Accuracy:
+/-0.3 dB @ 23C
+/-0.5 0 to 50C
IEC942 Type 1L - Power: 9VDC
- Supported Mic Diameter: 1/2"

