miniDSP Launches Next-Gen UMIK-2 Omni-Directional Acoustic Measurement Microphone

(October 20, 2020) Billed as a “substantial upgrade in performance and functionality,” miniDSP says its new UMIK-2 microphone offers the same ease of use as its UMIK-1, but with more bells and whistles.

The all-new UMIK-2 ($195) is miniDSP’s latest plug-and-play measurement device. Much like the UMIK-1, each UMIK-2 features a two-meter long USB Type C connection cable, an individual calibration file to ensure measurement accuracy, and full compatibility with Room EQ Wizard (REW) and Dirac Live Version 3 or later. Measurement capabilities are anchored by a larger 1/2” microphone capsule and 32-bit analog-to-digital converter, which combine for lower noise and lower distortion. Additionally, sample rates are selectable from 44.1kHz to 192kHz.

The UMIK-2 doesn’t require a driver with macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. However, Windows users are supplied an ASIO driver for easy integration with most measurement and recording applications.

Buyers can pre-order the UMIK-2 through miniDSP’s webshop; shipping is slated to being during the first week of November 2020. Detailed information about the microphone can found in the UMIK-2’s data sheet and user manual.

 

[Sonnie]

I'll have to have me one... of course.

 

[tesseract]

I'm wondering what the performance upgrades are. Dirac 3 functionality is nice.

 

[DanDan]

I suspect they took the capsule from the PMIK, which is a standard size, so our Calibrators fit it. Better S/N ratio. 32 Bit Converters are a strange concept to me, but hey that's the way things are going.
I wish they would stop supplying the absolutely pointless, albeit cute, tabletop tripod. And the way too short 2m USB cable. A 5m cable would be useful.
The price point now puts it in competition with studiosixdigital and Isemcon mics. That would be an interesting shoot out- review. I volunteer!

 

[Todd Anderson]

That cable is painfully short! Good news is that longer cables are crazy cheap.

 

[DanDan]

Crazy expensive here. Shipping... postage to our little outpost is x4/5 that of within the EU in general. You have no idea how disempowering that is.....
Many simple cheap products are simply not available at all, they just won't ship! Aaaaaarrgh, I truly miss living in San Francisco.
I wish you all, who could easily have been my neighbours, all of the luck in my heart in the coming months.

 

[Bernard]

I suspect they took the capsule from the PMIK, which is a standard size

Hello,
What does a 1/2-inch capsule provide compared to a regular 1/4-inch one?

 

[DanDan]

The diaphragm is much bigger so it captures more sound generating a bigger signal voltage. Much better Signal to Noise Ratio. To be honest, REW intrinsically ignores such noise so I doubt if that is much of an advantage.
I would be curious as to phase issues. I asked Mathias at Dirac if a better quality mic would deliver a better DL set of filters. I was referring to my DPA and Bruel&Kjaer mics, lab standard.
He said, probably, and that some of his friends certainly claimed that. So hopefully this Mk2 has improvements across the board. I would still look carefully at the uTestmic from studiosixdigital and the Isemics though.

 

[tesseract]

Who uses that tripod, really?

 

[DanDan]

I use mine for a vintage talkback mic. It seems so odd to provide something quite substantial but entirely useless for the purpose at hand, meanwhile not supplying a cable long enough for purpose.

 

[AustinJerry]

Ordered here as well.

 

[Mike-48]

I wish they would stop supplying the absolutely pointless, albeit cute, tabletop tripod. And the way too short 2m USB cable. A 5m cable would be useful.

Agree on all three points. The tripod becomes another piece of unused stuff one has to deal with -- donate or discard. And I've yet to use the UMIK-1 without a USB extension cable, which always seems to come unplugged at the wrong time. (Finally, I attached it with tape, better but still not foolproof.)

I have three measurement mics now, and no two has the same combination of barrel diameter (for stand mounting) and USB connector. Is that just the nature of life?

 

[AustinJerry]

Who uses that tripod, really?

You guys are completely wrong. When I gain-match my subs, or when I want to do a near-field sub measurement, I place the mic on the tripod , which allows the tip of the mic to be right in front of the dust cap. Sure, I could use the boom mic stand if I rotated the boom 180 degrees so the mic is close to the ground, but the little tripod is so much more convenient. I guess none of you do these types of measurements...

 

[Sonnie]

You guys are completely wrong. When I gain-match my subs, or when I want to do a near-field sub measurement, I place the mic on the tripod , which allows the tip of the mic to be right in front of the dust cap. Sure, I could use the boom mic stand if I rotated the boom 180 degrees so the mic is close to the ground, but the little tripod is so much more convenient. I guess none of you do these types of measurements...

I've done near-field, but I have two boom mic stands, so I use the other one, which is setup for that. Never thought about the small tripod, but it would work.

 

[DanDan]

To be fair, cute little tripod. To be clear, please give us a 5m USB cable! Shame the little PMIK didn't please the market. A fine device IMO, great for body worn Noise Survey in a Night Club.... and I'm glad to see some of it continued in the UMIK-2

 

[robkh1984v2]

Any real advantages of using the UMIK-2 over ambiMIK-1 for Dirac Live or are they for totally different use cases?

Use cases: Dirac Live 3.0 on DDRC-24 and C-DSP 8x12 DL.

 

[DanDan]

Different uses. The UMIK-2 has a Frequency Correction file which makes it close to LAB flat.

 

[SirDodo]

My first post - I'm new to REW (I plan to install it today). I'll be using it to correct my entertainment room for stereo listening - my hearing is sensitive and the room overemphasizes higher frequencies.

I'd like to ask you a question: I purchased a UMIK-1 a few weeks ago and still have a week to return it. I could apply the money toward a UMIK-2 , which I would do if it were useful. The tradeoffs are beyond my newbie knowledge, but posts at Audio Science Review lead me to think that the 1/4" capsule of the UMIK-1 is better for my needs than the 1/2" capsule of the UMIK-2 because it will better capture a broader range of frequencies.

I presume that the UMIK-2 is as easy to use with REW as the UMIK-1.

Do you agree that I should stick with my UMIK-1? Or would you recommend that I exchange it (and some cash) for a UMIK-2?

 

[DanDan]

Welcome Sir. The UMIK-1 has been a great friend to us, as are MiniDSP.. I have no hesitation in recommending you stick with it. Take your time with REW, it too will become a lifelong friend to you.

 

[tesseract]

You guys are completely wrong. When I gain-match my subs, or when I want to do a near-field sub measurement, I place the mic on the tripod , which allows the tip of the mic to be right in front of the dust cap. Sure, I could use the boom mic stand if I rotated the boom 180 degrees so the mic is close to the ground, but the little tripod is so much more convenient. I guess none of you do these types of measurements...

From my review of the JTR Speakers Captivator 118HT

 

[PoloOle]

That cable is painfully short! Good news is that longer cables are crazy cheap.

Do you have a link to a working longer cable? I tried a USB 3 extension cable and it didn't work.

 

[Mike-48]

Is the UMIC-2 available from dealers in the US? Unless I overlooked something, none of the dealers listed by miniDSP offer it on their Websites.

Just in case I don't win the giveaway....