Fresh From the Bench: Measurement Microphones from PCB Piezotronics
March 7 2017, 05:00
Stuart Yaniger reviews a complete series of professional-grade measurement microphones from PCB Piezotronics, specifically, the 378A04 free-field microphone, the 378B02 free-field microphone, the 378A21 diffuse-field microphone, and the 130E20 array microphone. This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2016.
Stuart Yaniger reviews a complete series of professional-grade measurement microphones from PCB Piezotronics, specifically, the 378A04 free-field microphone, the 378B02 free-field microphone, the 378A21 diffuse-field microphone, and the 130E20 array microphone, all using a current source rather than a voltage source, called ICP (ICP is a registered trademark of PCB Piezotronics and is a PCB sensor containing built-in electronics that can be powered by 2 to 20 mA of constant current power.) As Yaniger explains, “It’s well known that technologies designed for top-of-the-line equipment often migrate down and improve the performance of lower-cost products. What’s interesting is when the opposite occurs—a less complex and expensive technology is optimized to punch out of its weight class. In this case, it’s the upward migration of electret microphone technology to the hallowed halls where polarized condensers once ruled.”
Stuart Yaniger has been designing and building audio equipment for nearly half a century, and currently runs a technology consulting agency in western New York. His professional research interests have spanned theoretical physics, electronics, chemistry, spect... Read more
