AES E-Library

Calibration of Microphones, Vibration Pickups, and Earphones

Microphones, earphones, vibrators, and vibration pickups are needed for precise measurements on sound waves and vibrations in the audio-frequency range. Condenser microphones are calibrated with a reciprocity technique; the response to sound pressure is obtained over the range 10 Hz to 20 kHz by means of 20 cm/3 and 3 cm/3 couplers, and the response of a condenser microphone-preamplifier combination in a plane wave of sound is measured up to 20 kHz. The reciprocity technique is also used to calibrate vibration pickups in the range 10 Hz to 2 kHz. At higher frequencies up to 10 kHz, an optical interferometer is used for calibration of vibration pickups. An essential element of the instrumentation is a modulated photometer. Earphones used for measurement of hearing are calibrated on the NBS type 9-A couples, in which the sound pressure is measured between 100 Hz and 10 kHz with a reference standard condenser microphone. Vibrators for measurement of hearing by bone conduction are calibrated with artificial head-bones, the latter incorporating calibrated vibration pickups.

Authors: Cook, Richard K.; Edelman, Seymour; Koidan, Walter
Affiliation: National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
JAES Volume 13 Issue 4 pp. 290-296; October 1965 Import into BibTeX

Click to purchase paper or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member and would like to subscribe to the E-Library then Join the AES!

This paper costs $20 for non-members, $5 for AES members and is free for E-Library subscribers.

Learn more about the AES E-Library

E-Library Location: (CD aes2)   /jrnl5367/1965/6585.pdf

Start a discussion about this paper!