Microphone Troubleshooting and FAQs

Microphone, order code MCA-BTA, $39
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING

- Primary Test: The best sound sources to use with the microphone are tuning forks, but you may want to investigate a human voice or a whistle, electronic keyboards, and other musical instruments. Make sure the sound level is in the correct range to produce good wave patterns. If the sound is too loud, the wave pattern will be “clipped off” at the top or bottom. Move the microphone further from the sound source, or turn down the volume of the sound.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES

-TIL 656: What are the units (of pressure) for the microphone?
-TIL 662: What is the best procedure to get a clean sine wave when using a tuning fork with the microphone?
-TIL 1194: What is the best sound to use for the speed of sound experiment?
-TIL 726: Is there a problem using an MPLI microphone with LabPro?
-TIL 2310: How do I use LabQuest to measure the frequency of sounds?

SPECIFICATIONS

- new order code: MCA-BTA
- old order code: MCA-ULI (ULI only)
- Frequency range: approximately 20 Hz to 16,000 Hz, but note that the maximum data-collection rate of the interface affects the maximum frequency you can effectively sample. With the LabPro or CBL 2, the maximum sound source is 5,000 Hz. With the CBL or ULI, the maximum sound source is 1,000 Hz.

CALIBRATION

- Calibrate? No. The sensor is set to the stored calibration before shipping.
- There is no calibration process given in the sensor booklet.

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS

Sound Level Meter, order code SLM-BTA, $165