Handheld Binaural
Recorder
NOTE: The Handheld Binaural Recorder is no longer in production but is an example of the innovative products developed by ViAcoustics.
ViAcoustics' Handheld Binaural Recorder is a portable recording system capable
of making 16 bit/44 kHz or 24 bit/96 kHz, high fidelity digital recordings for
listening or post-process acoustic/sound quality analysis. The
Handheld Binaural Recorder is a perfect entry level data acquisition and
recording system for use with the
Nelson
Acoustical Engineering Sound Quality Analyzer software.
The unit
pictured here is using a HP Ipaq 5550 PDA in a dual slot expansion pack
with auxiliary battery to control the battery
powered A/D converter and microphone signal conditioner. The A/D converter
communicates with the PDA via a Compact Flash adapter. A set of high
end binaural microphones made by
DPA are used by
mounting them on a
Jecklin
type disk
to achieve the binaural imaging.
The Handheld Binaural Recorder
can be operated as a handheld recording
device, using the pistol grip adapter, or mount the unit on a tripod,
using the threaded adapter on the base of the handle. The Handheld Binaural Recorder runs entirely on
a 9V batteries in the A/D converter and PDA power, making it a truly
portable solution.
The unit is capable of making recordings up to
several hours in length depending on the exact configuration of the PDA
expansion pack and amount of memory installed. The ability to
collect long recordings can be very useful in post process acoustical
analysis, as short segment of the sounds to be measured can be clipped
from the longer recording, allowing users to work around transient and
other ambient events that occur during a measurement. This can be
a very powerful technique for those who don't have access to acoustic
test chambers to control external interference with measurements.
The Handheld Binaural Recorder can be configured into several form factors. The A/D converter can be inserted into a belt clip adapter and worn alongside a standard PDA case. In that case, the input to the A/D converter can come from the line output from an external microphone preamp or the A/C output of a sound level meter.
The Handheld Binaural Recorder can make level calibrated recordings for post process analysis in one of several manners.
-
When purchased with the integrated DPA
microphone system, the input gain controls come pre-marked with
approximate recording "normalization" levels that are compatible with
the format used by several sound quality analysis packages, such as
those provided by Head Acoustics and Nelson Acoustical Engineering.
-
A standard sound level meter calibration
tone can also be made at the beginning of the recording for more
precise level calibration.
- When used in conjunction with a handheld sound level meter, sound pressure levels associated with each recording can be documented on the fly by simply speaking the current meter reading level onto the recording.
The ViAcoustics Handheld Binaural Recorder (HBR) is capable of making very high fidelity recordings with extremely low background noise levels with very little effort. It has primarily been designed to make product or automotive noise emission measurements that can be analyzed with the Nelson Acoustical Engineering Sound Quality Analyzer or other psychoacoustic analysis applications. Click here for some examples of product noise recorded with the HBR.
While the HBR has been designed primarily for use in product, equipment and automotive noise control recording applications, the device also makes excellent music recordings. At 16 bit/44 kHz (CD quality) or 24 bit/96 kHz (DVD) quality, the HBR makes true digital audio WAV files that can easily be copied, edited, distributed or stored. It is amazingly easy to create very high quality audio recordings of live music events with little or no effort. When using the Ipaq dual slot expansion pack with auxiliary battery and a 2-5 GB disk drive, it is possible to record 3-6 hours of live music by setting the device on a mic stand and making a few taps on the screen. Click here for several examples of music recordings made with the HBR.
The ViAcoustics Handheld Binaural
Recorder System includes the following:
-
16bit, 44kHz and 24 bit, 96 kHz A/D converter with microphone signal conditioning
-
Compact Flash input module for A/D converter
-
1 MB Compact Flash memory installed in PDA Expansion Pack
-
Recording and playback software applications for the Ipaq PDA
-
Matched pair of DPA 4060 omni-directional microphone
-
Binaural recording disk with integration microphone holders
-
Pistol grip handle
-
Cables, connectors, system integration and calibration by ViAcoustics
The ViAcoustics Binaural Handheld Recorder can be purchased from ViAcoustics at a cost of $4,995.00 plus shipping and handling. An optional carrying case is available for an additional $200.00.
When packaged with the Nelson Acoustical Engineering Sound Quality Analyzer software at $4,995, the Handheld Binaural Recorder can be purchased at a $1,000 DISCOUNT for only $3,995.00.
Handheld Binaural Recorder Data Sheet (192k PDF file)
