Rational "Gearology"
This section of our site is dedicated to helping answer that oft asked question, "What gear should I buy for my measurement rig?" It sounds like a simple enough question but in reality the best answer for each person who asks it will always turn out to be a little different, based on a number of factors. So in order to arrive at a really sensible answer, we first need identify some of those factors and look at how they may pertain to your own particular needs.
Gearology 101: Making Rational Gear Choices
Introduction
Over the years, the process of purchasing an acoustical test and measurement system has evolved dramatically. In the past, (the gud ol' days), the predominance of hardware-based platforms made that purchase process relatively simple and straightforward. The only significant decision to make was the choice of platform itself. Microphones were included (or at the very least strictly specified,) and the microphone preamplifiers and signal routers were all part and parcel of the hardware interface. From that simplicity came consistency and reliability, and in the measurement world, those are highly prized attributes. But of course, that simplicity came at a price — oftentimes (prohibitively?) expensive — and in packages that were cumbersome at best.
The advent of software-based measurement systems, coupled with the rapidly increasing availability of (quality?) computer audio I/O, fundamentally changed the nature of the pro-audio measurement rig. Not only did it bring the cost of entry down dramatically, it increased rig portability and flexibility by orders of magnitude. Now it was possible for the average audio engineer to own a powerful analyzer and, if they were so inclined, one that could be transported in a backpack or computer bag.
Gear choices for today’s measurement rig — microphone, preamp, computer — are largely based on the user's preference and performance requirements rather than the manufacturer’s directive. With current measurement software, employing the best microphones and ultra-low noise preamps, one is able to perform exacting, lab-quality measurements with incredible resolution and accuracy. But is it necessary for all or even most users to commit to purchasing an arsenal of DPA 4007s and studio-quality preamps? Let’s face it, part of software’s mass appeal is its relatively low cost. Surely there must be a means to assemble a measurement rig that does not require a trip to the loan officer.
Sooo... "What gear should I get for my measurement rig?" The answer, of course, really begins with the question, "What gear do you need?"
