Application and Technical Support for Audio Precision APWIN Users

Measurement Microphone dBspl Calibration

Introduction
This TechNote describes how to set up and use the dBr unit as dBspl. Automated AP Basic macros (procedures) are available to facilitate the calibration. These macros apply to the instrument analog analyzers. Additionally, two computational methods are described to help you understand the macros, and to help you calibrate a measurement microphone without the macros.

In case your measurement microphone specifications are expressed in terms other than our example above, here are some handy cross-references: 1 N/m2 = 10 dynes/cm2 = 10 mbar = 1 pascal

Using the Macros

For System One, Two, Cascade, Cascade Plus or 2700 series, download the macro SetdBrtodBspl.apb. For ATS-2, download the macro SetdBrtodBspl.atsb. Load the macro into your control software and run it. The dialog box shown in Figure 1 is displayed. The dialog box has two sections, allowing you to enter either the microphones sensitivity from its specifications, or to use an acoustic calibrator to generate a predetermined output. Follow the instructions in the dialog box. The following examples describe the macros in full detail. Calculation Method

Background
The sound pressure level of loudspeakers and other acoustic transducers is measured in absolute terms. The standardized unit is dBspl, or dB sound pressure level. Manufacturers of precision measurement microphones supply calibration data that includes the sensitivity specification for a specific serial number microphone. A typical specification, quoted from a calibration chart for a Bruel & Kjaer Model 4136 1/4-inch microphone, reads: 80.3 dB re. 1 V/bar The specification means that with the microphone immersed in a one bar sound pressure field and the microphone output connected to a high impedance load, the microphone output would be 80.3 dBV. The specification further states that this measurement was made at 250 Hz, 760 mm atmospheric pressure, with a specified polarizing voltage, and was measured at the cathode-follower output of the microphone into a specified load. The vacuum tube cathode follower circuit (or transistorized impedance matching circuit, in newer microphones) is mounted inside the microphone assembly.

To set the reference level using the established

microphone specification, enter the microphone sensitivity into the field at step 1, shown in Figure 1. You can specify the units by using the drop-down next to the sensitivity field. in the field at step 2, then click COMPUTE. The macro enters the dBr Reference into the Analog Analyzer window and also shows it in the CURRENT

Enter the gain of the microphone preamplifier, if any,

VALUES section at the bottom of the macro dialog box.

Click one of the buttons at the bottom of the macro

dialog box to close it.

TN-28

Figure 1. Direct-reading dBspl Measurement Microphone Calibration window

Microphone Calibrator Method

In the center section of the macro dialog box, select

the Analyzer input (XLR or BNC) to which the microphone is connected. microphone. 3 list box.

Macro Description for AP Basic users

The SetdBrTodBspl.* macros are designed for use with Audio Precision PC-controlled instruments. Digital-only versions are not compatible with these macros. The main part of the macros (Sub Main) has a user interface dialog menu. It also calls for and saves two values in the Windows Registry for the Input connection used (XLR or BNC) and the last reference value. These are set as the menu default values. Dialog Function mnuSetdBrFunc runs while the dialog is up. Dialog Function sets the Audio Precision Input configuration if it is changed and also continuously updates the Channel A Level meter reading field in the dialog box (Level in dBr). The two pushbuttons COMPUTE and CALIBRATE call subroutines.
Measurement Microphone dB spl Calibration

Attach the acoustic calibrator to the measurement Enter the expected output of the calibrator in the step Click CALIBRATE. The macro enters the dBr
Reference into the Analog Analyzer window and also shows it in CURRENT VALUES section at the bottom of the macros dialog box. dialog box to close it.

Click one of the buttons at the bottom of the macro

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TECHNOTE 28

The two subroutines are both self-contained and do not require any public variables to be set. Either of these can be used as a call in user code without modification. Function SetdBrFromData is called from the COMPUTE button and requires values for two parameters: CalUnit as a number (refer to the AP Basic code for translation of the number to the unit dBV/Pa, dBV/uBar, etc.) and CalLvl as a number. CalLvl is the value of the CalUnit from the microphone specification. A third optional parameter, Gain, in dB is set to 0 (gain of 1) unless supplied. The conversion computation is done based upon the value and calibration unit used. The instrument analog analyzer channel A dBr reference field is set to the computed value at the end of the function. The value is also returned as the value for the function. Function SetdBrFromLevel is called from the CALIBRATE button and requires the value for one parameter: DBsplLvl - the dBspl level of the acoustic calibrator used. An optional parameter for TimeOut in seconds is set to 3 seconds unless supplied. The function triggers a Level meter reading with a timeout check. When the reading is ready (settled), the meter reading is recorded and the dBspl level from the acoustic calibrator is added. The resulting References dBr value is displayed in a message box. OK accepts the value. The Analog Analyzer References dBr field is set to the computed value at the end of the function. The value is also returned as the value for the function.

bar, which is 73.98 dB below one bar. In this case, adding the 80.3 dB V microphone sensitivity and the 73.98 dB difference between zero dBspl and one bar gives a 154.28 dBV result. Enter 154.28 dBV into the Reference dBr field (the result will round off to 154.3 dBV). Select dBr for the Analog Analyzer panel display and/or DATA-1 units for a sweep test, and the values will display directly in dB spl. If you use a measurement amplifier between the microphone output and instrument input, the References dBr field must be further corrected by the gain of the measurement amplifier. If, for example, a measurement amplifier is set for 60 dB gain and used with the microphone of this example, the References dBr value must be changed from 154.3 dBV to 94.3 dBV. Microphone Calibrator Method If you have a microphone acoustic calibrator, connect it to the microphone. Make certain the microphone seats correctly into the calibrator to prevent inaccurate calibration. Set the Analyzer Level to read dBr, and change the References dBr for a reading of the specified output of the calibrator. Remove the calibrator; the microphone will now read dBspl directly. Figure 2 shows an example for System Two. The microphone calibrator used for this example was set to 94 dBspl. The Level meter for Channel A is set to dBrA and the value entered into the References dBrA

Manual Method
Lacking the macros described above, you can achieve the same results by either manually computing the reference level, or by using a microphone acoustic calibrator and adjusting the system for the expected reading. Connect the measurement microphone to the appropriate (A or B) analog analyzer input. On the Analyzer panel, select the proper input. In our example, this is the Unbalanced input (AUX on System One), but in other cases it may be the balanced input (using the XLR connectors). Expand the Analyzer panel. Allow the microphone to warm up for several minutes, especially if it employs a vacuum tube amplifier. Computation Method To use the dBr unit as dB spl, the 0 dB spl value for the measurement microphone must be computed and entered into the References dBr field near the bottom of the Analyzer panel. Zero dBspl is defined as 0.0002
Measurement Microphone dB spl Calibration

Measurement reads 94 dBr (calibrator output)

-129.5 dBV entered into References field

Figure 2. System Two Audio Analyzer panel

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The microphone acoustic calibrator comprises an oscillator (usually 1 kHz) and electrostatic transducer. It provides an accurate specified sound pressure level into which the microphone is inserted for close acoustic coupling. This allows setting a reference in the system so the dBr value corresponds to absolute dBspl.

field is 129.5 dBV (the field truncated the minus sign). You may need to adjust the value entered into the References dBrA field several times before obtaining the 94.0 dBrA reading of the Level meter.

TECHNOTES are hints and information to assist Audio Precision customers to perform specialized tasks or unusual tests.

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