Topic: Microphone Sensitivity

[corsair]

Let's say,

If microphone A has 10mv/Pa, and microphone B has 20mV/Pa,
is microphone B more sensitive than microphone A?

Thanks!

[leegeddy]

Let's say,

If microphone A has 10mv/Pa, and microphone B has 20mV/Pa,
is microphone B more sensitive than microphone A?

Thanks!

yes. mic "B" is said to be "higher" sensitive of the two since it will output a larger voltage (mV) given an acoustic pressure. Pa=Pascal, which is a unit of pressure in the SI system.

some reading from.....

http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/acoustics_world/id/Microphones/Microphones.htm

2 Microphone Sensitivity

When choosing a microphone pressure sensitivity is an important parameter. A microphone’s sensitivity (pressure sensitivity) is defined as the voltage generated in response to a certain pressure input.

Generally the greater the pressure sensitivity the more sensitive the microphone is to quieter sounds.  Also the greater the signal will be produced relative to noise in cables, etc.

you can convert "mV/Pa" to a dB scale by using the formula 20log(voltage)

marc

[Massive Dynamic]

Something else to keep in mind is that there are different ways to measure sensitivity. Just like wattage ratings for stereo receivers, mic sensitivity ratings may not be comparable from one manufacturer to another.  I know the Peluso CEMC6 is only rated at 10mV/Pa, but it ran waaaay hotter than my Audix M1290, rated at 14 mV/Pa. Moral of the story, don't buy a mic on specs alone.

[corsair]

Something else to keep in mind is that there are different ways to measure sensitivity. Just like wattage ratings for stereo receivers, mic sensitivity ratings may not be comparable from one manufacturer to another.  I know the Peluso CEMC6 is only rated at 10mV/Pa, but it ran waaaay hotter than my Audix M1290, rated at 14 mV/Pa. Moral of the story, don't buy a mic on specs alone.

That is true...

For example, on the OKM II Rock datasheet, the sensitivity is rated at 30mV/Pa. However, when
I ran an alternate pair of mics rated at 8mV/Pa, the output shows it to be way more sensitive than the OKMs...