Greetings!

Okay. I am looking at the microphone that was recommended as part of the mysterious (still unannounced but highly discussed) AutoEQ feature. While I do not have the software, I assume it will be released into the wild eventually. So, a few questions:

Any particular reason that an ultra compact surfact mount mic was selected? Or was it more that this was what was lying around empeg towers?

Is the AutoEQ something that is really run once, or is it something that is more "session" or autocorrecting?

Basically, I am looking to get a microphone. I know I need something with a flat response curve and good quality going to a mono 3.5mm miniplug. But I am wondering if I should get something small (read this as "easy to loose and attempt to solder a plug onto"), get something that should be permanently mounted in the car (read this as "I will be fiddling with the AutoEQ a lot, not just during an initial setup phase") or get a professional grade mic (read this as "full size, hand held, maybe a better response curve, probably more expensive but indestructable")...

I'm not certain as to why it would have to have a flat response curve. My impression is that it is only necessary to pick up voice. So if it is tuned (for lack of a better word) to human vocal frequencies, wouldn't that be good enough? My first impression is that it would be better that way so as to "cut out" all of the non-voice frequencies that may confuse the voice recognition system.

Well, I am not thinking voice recognition at the moment. The intent is for Automatic EQ, as per Mark's photograph.

Doh.. Not fast enough...

Quote:
I'm not certain as to why it would have to have a flat response curve.

That mic is mainly for the Auto-EQ that is announced in the next release. The more flat response it will have, the better the Auto-EQ settings will be.

VR is still not on the horizon. At least, not as I understand from the little info I gathered on the BBS from guys who were at the meet.

By the way, from general discussion I assume that this is extreme overkill. Thoughts / opinions?

That'd do a beautiful job. Shame it needs phantom power.

I have already accounted for that, and for the XLR -> mini-plug converter. I might have the converter in a draw somewhere from my old concert recording days. The phantom power supply is also readily available.

I wonder if someone could get an awesome mic like that and we'll just pass it from one person to the next, doing their one-time AutoEQ and passing it on. Because, as I see it, AutoEQ will be a one-time-per-equipment-change thing.

Edit:
Ha, or one person could use it then hide it in a GeoCache somewhere. What do they call those (now disallowed?) GeoCaches that travel around? Hm.......

The mic (and associated adapter and phantom power supply) is already on its way to me in NJ. I am not really a GeoCacher, so I have no idea how that would work. But I have no objections to passing it around for people (in the empeg community) to experiment / tune with.

Before anyone sends email or PM - let's wait until it arrives before putting in a request for it.

The ECM8000 with phantom power supply should work just fine.

I suspect that auto-eq will not be a one-off for most people, since there are many variables eg which mic to use, where to place it etc, and any change to your install will require resetting the AutoEQ. Also note my comments on getting the levels right in another thread.

That's why I wanted to suggest an adequate mic that isn't too expensive so everyone who wants to use the feature can get their own. We now have a "europe" and a "US" favourite mic - I should get those details into the FAQ or something.

Also, if we ever do implement VR you'll already have the microphone! It's not on any development schedules though and presents significant technical difficulties.

Cheers, John

?!? Is there actually a "development schedule" for the car player??? Edit: I am not trying to be sarcastic or anything. I always thought car player development was a spare time thing. I did not know there was any formal framework around it.

I'm thinking of picking up this mic tomorrow.. If it doesn't work, I can return it.

Link.