Jump to content

Home brewed mic for Iphone Timegrapher app?


bsoderling

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

 

I’m a fan of the timegrapher app for Iphone and have been using it for a long time, with reasonable result for my needs.

 

My assumption is that the weak spot is the mic where you are using the built-in mic in the head set that comes with the phone.

 

My question is if there’s any experience out there from building/adapting an alternative mic to plug into the head set input on the phone.

 

I have seen many posts where people have designed pc s/w and built mic’s that plug into your pc and I would guess one could do the same with the Iphone.

 

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It’s funny your should post this now. I have just uploaded my latest video on my channel and it’s about the iPhone app vs iOS app.

App came off interestingly should we say.

Due to some of the feedback and my own curiosity I am going to do one short video test using my lapel mic that I would use for my voice. Also to remove the caseback.

I will test first on the timegrapher and then on the app and then compare.
Here is my video





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well...strange things happen all the time.

Truly inspiring and I must agree with your fundamental conclusion, if you want something that works simply and flawlessly out of the box, the Weishi is definitely not over priced.

But still...there’s something about exploring the underlying reasons and possibly try to improve what you have. Kind of the same sentiment that makes watch work interesting...

Some quick feedback from my experiences that might be interesting for others.

- I find it consistently easier to get good readings with an open case and the mic directly over the escapement. Again I guess that has to do with limitations of the mic (and possibly the signal conditioning that follows).

- I usually step back on the sensitivity to the point where I get no readings (or zero sensitivity) and then step up to where I get the most stable plot and reading. Sometimes this is significantly lower than the default 12 setting.

- I tend to always use the noise cancellation option in the settings menu. Especially when it’s hard to get an amplitude reading this allows to increase the sensitivity without getting rubbish data.

- It’s difficult to get completely clear lines, there will always be some outliers. To me this indicate that the s/w that detects the relevant points in the signal isn’t smart enough to sort these out as erroneous. Alternatively it’s the signal conditioning/filtering that could be better.

- Fundamentally I wouldn’t trust the average readings produced when the plot looks like as with your 2nd watch. Garbage in => garbage out and averaging shouldn’t make it more reliable (unless there is actually more going on that we don’t see that removes outlier data)

To conclude, it would be great with a follow up where you try to tweak the performance a bit. But I realize I’m probably a bit too nerdy here... :-)

And I still wouldn’t be surprised if a better mic and some analogue filtering could do magic with the performance of the app.

I know there are posts on that subject on the forum and I’ll see what I can dig out there.

And you got yourself a new follower on youtube... :-)










Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suppose the main issue is the app, not so much the mic.

I posted about unsatisfacting results with different Iphone apps here in the forum (maybe post was deleted by a kind moderator). I used special piezo mics as well  as direct signal input with different volumes-

Frank

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well...strange things happen all the time.

Truly inspiring and I must agree with your fundamental conclusion, if you want something that works simply and flawlessly out of the box, the Weishi is definitely not over priced.

But still...there’s something about exploring the underlying reasons and possibly try to improve what you have. Kind of the same sentiment that makes watch work interesting...

Some quick feedback from my experiences that might be interesting for others.

- I find it consistently easier to get good readings with an open case and the mic directly over the escapement. Again I guess that has to do with limitations of the mic (and possibly the signal conditioning that follows).

- I usually step back on the sensitivity to the point where I get no readings (or zero sensitivity) and then step up to where I get the most stable plot and reading. Sometimes this is significantly lower than the default 12 setting.

- I tend to always use the noise cancellation option in the settings menu. Especially when it’s hard to get an amplitude reading this allows to increase the sensitivity without getting rubbish data.

- It’s difficult to get completely clear lines, there will always be some outliers. To me this indicate that the s/w that detects the relevant points in the signal isn’t smart enough to sort these out as erroneous. Alternatively it’s the signal conditioning/filtering that could be better.

- Fundamentally I wouldn’t trust the average readings produced when the plot looks like as with your 2nd watch. Garbage in => garbage out and averaging shouldn’t make it more reliable (unless there is actually more going on that we don’t see that removes outlier data)

To conclude, it would be great with a follow up where you try to tweak the performance a bit. But I realize I’m probably a bit too nerdy here... :-)

And I still wouldn’t be surprised if a better mic and some analogue filtering could do magic with the performance of the app.

I know there are posts on that subject on the forum and I’ll see what I can dig out there.

And you got yourself a new follower on youtube... :-)










Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk



Thanks , detailed reply!
All makes sense.
Don’t worry there will be a short follow on to the first video . Probably within a few days. I will try to see how I can better the reading after getting a datum reading off the TG .



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

Saw your new video and it’s pretty much in line with my experience. On some watches it works better on some not so good.

Interesting alternative mic trial. The mic does have an influence but it will be a tough task to find one that really makes a change in the positive direction without lots of trial and (mostly) error.

Looking forward to coming videos!




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Dell fancy a challenge🤣   https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285785684626?itmmeta=01HT29WVJY21Q94C73GYHGBTFX&hash=item428a277a92:g:15YAAOSwNRVmBAUz&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0DIe4QLQBW66rSyIMiyBuk8GY%2B86pQ%2BQnxGbcNq7egAGe5DIs9YMmiWJIbZtMSxwNJIiJxuojbq523IeUSBQ6pJEIQ0tfz2ChrBR03BksmKINyklg1IK4GAfAcYY9Hta9wVeSZSZN7ZCNAfZTgKs9c4%2BUIUZ3Qjc3QjUXDn2uPRo1FiYOEewMG5A26EXb%2BclBgrqtbOmM6P3bea%2F8ZImOAXNI1HtbmtMk84pIGoM6ISwaM1PKFuADtTFMccS5e3ZjndCbXYXHrW3CecsV0edw3M%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8q588nQYw Darwin’s theory of evolution has not been proven to be absolutely.  😀 
    • A already know the size movement I have the problem is the dial a had purchased has a dimension 20.6mm wide a want to find a watch case that going to fit the dial perfectly 
    • Hi.  I would like to take issue here regarding battery driven , watches, clocks,etc. I will and do repair these clocks in fact I have sever al in my collection as well as the regular mechanical ones. I have one on my mantle piece over 60 years old tha belonged to my wife’s Aunt,  long gone Iam afraid and it has been cleaned etc and never missed a beat and is accurate. Every one has their preduices as regards Electrical /electronic Horology but I regard it as part of the progress time line of the art of Horology and to be treated as such. Like Darwin’s theory of evolution it evolved.  Two cavemen knocking rocks together and a shard broke off , looking at it he worked out if it was stuck on the end of a stick he would have a spear. Likewise his pal seeing what he was up to picked up a piece  and did the same, now that’s evolution. Some clockmaker decided to build a clock that ran with a battery and no spring to wind up and break, progress and both the mechanical and battery driven clocks evolved, the battery ones got better to the point that if it broke you changed the complete unit. Likewise watches did the same but both can be repaired by people who approach Horology with an open mind without preduice.  We all have our likes and dislikes bu I for one would never dismiss any technology because I don’t like it.   The mobile phone is a good example of modern technology at work as is the automotive industry. There buttons and switches in my car I don’t use because to me they are not nesessary but I still drive the car.
    • I haven't gone through all the reading of what it might be or not. The first thing I would do if nothing obvious stands out is replace the mainspring, you have to start at the source of the power. Nine times out of ten that is the problem.  
    • Haha. You're just in a wicked mood today John 😅
×
×
  • Create New...