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I am completely lost when it comes to microphones. I've searched the forums and I keep finding that the best microphone to use with tuning software in one with flat response.

I really don't want to study microphones; I'm just looking to use one. There are piano-related subjects that i have looked into at great depth over the years. Then, there are areas in which I'm really just interested results. life is short.

Is anyone here using a microphone that is :

1) Working well with both Verituner and Entropy software

2) Cheap

3) Rugged?

Thanks,
-Joe

If there's a built-in microphone in the device you're running the software on, hang on to your money for a while and give the built-in a try. It may work well enough. If you can run the free Audacity sound recording and editing program on the same device, try recording with it and playing back. That'll give you a confidence check that sound is getting into the computer.

I've been happy with the Dayton Audio iMM-6 calibrated measuring microphone. Plugs right into my iDevice of choice - others use a cable to get the mic closer to the string, but I've had good luck just plugging it in and placing the ipod touch on a microfiber cloth to prevent any vibrations from interfering. Entropy seems to prefer a stable consistent mic placement, so a wire may help with that...

Ron Koval

Hey John,

I have been using my built-in mike. But, i get inconsistent results with the VT software. Sometimes it's great, sometimes not. So I want to try ax external mike.

Ron,

Thanks for the tip. I see Amazon has these really inexpensively. I need to check my netbook and see if it has a 3.5 TRRS port.

Thanks !

-Joe

Hi Joe - forgot you were looking for a netbook mic.

There might be an adapter available?? With a netbook, it might be a good idea to go with a longer wire to find a consistent mic placement allowing you to place the display where it works best for you.

Ron Koval

Hi Ron,

I did get a mike. But, I decided that since this is for work, I changed my mind and decided that it would be worth a larger investment.

i went with:
http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Meteor...=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

It was $69.99.

I haven't tried it on a piano yet. But, I think it will meet my needs.

in fact, i just calibrated the VT software with it about ten minutes ago.

i had to learn a little about microphones even though I didn't want to


Using my netbook's built-in mike, I had the calibration set to
-0.13 to stop the spinner.

With the external mike, the setting is -0.06.

Not too bad for a cheap little netbook

I never thought of using a USB mic, rather than an analog-output mic. But if you know you'll be plugging it into a netbook, it makes a lot of sense.

Thanks --

When I was looking, I actually never even considered the analog vs digital aspect. I was just looking for a mike to plug into my netbook.

Unfortunately, i didn't have a chance to try it today. I spent the day doing repairs... not tuning.

I'll report back when I've tuned a few pianos with the USB mike.

Well, all microphones are analog. It just depends where the A to D conversion happens, and how much control you have ahead of it.

Just a quick update...

With an external microphone, the VT no longer seems to get "lost". I didn't realize how much time I was wasting resetting to the correct note.

Edit: Not just wasting time on the reset. Resetting the note was affecting my rhythm as I worked... It was knocking me out of my groove.
Now, I seem to be able to work with the VT mostly hands free. I can concentrate on just tuning and turning.

Additionally, before I got the external mike, the VT would seem to default from A4 to F3 immediately after I would start it, even when I was playing A4. The external mike corrected these problems.

I haven't had a chance to try it with Entropy yet.