Useful low-cost measurement equipment?

[GranteedEV]

For video I really want a decent colorimeter. I've considered the obvious ones but really I'm always checking ebay for a used X-Rite DTP-94.

For audio, here is what I've ordered:

Dayton EMM-6 Measurement Microphone ($40 + $30 shipping) with parts express calibration file

M-audio MobilePre USB Sound Card/Preamp ($70 used off ebay + $20 shipping)

If I wasn't such a cheapwad I may have got the Dayton Omnimic kit instead as it appears very functional.

Perhaps this summer I will purchase the Dayton WT3 Woofer Tester.

Is there any off-the-shelf "dummy load" for testing an amplifier? I think I could make one with a bit of thought but who wants to... think?

What is a good tool for measuring LOW spls - IE noise floor?

What software do you fellas use?

What else is useful for measurement equipment. Is an SPL meter still valuable if you've got a measurement mic?

 

[sholling]

I'll be watching this thread because I'm curious. For now I have a Nady USB adapter with phantom power supply on order.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Speaking of low-cost... Hard to beat flat 20hz-20Mhz Mic for about $10 or a bit more if you build pre-amp yourself.
I found several projects:
http://www.vikash.info/audio/measurement_mic/index.asp
http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/Articles/diymic/diymicmain.htm

and Grand Daddy of them all - from "horse mouth" - http://www.linkwitzlab.com/sys_test.htm

Condenser capsule itself is easily can be found here:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=P9925-ND

 

[jostenmeat]

For video I really want a decent colorimeter. I've considered the obvious ones but really I'm always checking ebay for a used X-Rite DTP-94.

Stop reminding me that I don't have one!

According to Curt Palme's site, this is a list from worst to best:

1. Spyder 1/2/3 (not recommended)
2. EyeOne Display 2
3. EyeOne Display 2 PRO
4. X-Rite DTP-94
5. X-Rite DTP-94 PRO
6. X-Rite Chroma 5
7. X-Rite Chroma 5 PRO
8. X-Rite EyeOne Pro
9. X-Rite Hubble
10. JETI Specbos 1201/1211

Number 8 and 10 are spectroradiometers. #10 is a mega reference tool; it's good enough to calibrate other meters.

I have no idea where X-Rite's ColorMunki fits in, as the last time I looked into this topic, a couple of people had very good things to say about it.

The spectroradiometers will degrade less over time (no filter), will be more likely to be accurate (if only because a colorimeter can be poorly made), and can be used with any display. The issue is that it's not as good with low light, and so it isn't always the best choice for contrast and gamma, well at least for the i1Pro. However, going by my noobie impressions, getting greyscale/color is the most important, and most difficult, thing to do in terms of calibration. I am happy with my contrast, but not yet satisfied with the former.

Let me know, please, if you find any great deal for any particular meter that you think holds very high performance/price ratio.

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11436

 

[fightinkraut]

I'll be following this as well, within the last week I've purchased a calibrated EMM-6 from Herb at Cross Spectrum (great transaction!), an E-MU 0404 for phantom power/MIDI interface and a Behringer DSP1124P for sub EQ.

Plan on learning to use REW with the aforementioned.

Always interested in low cost equipment that performs better than expected!