VIRTINS VT UltraMic-384 User manual

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual
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Virtins Technology
VT UltraMic-384
Ultrasonic USB microphone and recorder
with Bluetooth for an easy configuration via Android smartphone
Note: VIRTINS TECHNOLOGY reserves the right to make modifications to this manual at any time without notice. This manual
may contain typographical errors.

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Summary
Table of Contents
Summary ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Features .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Applications ................................................................................................................................................... 4
The Circuit ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Disassembly ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Versions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Waterproof ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
USB Microphone ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Unattended Recorder ....................................................................................................................................... 10
One Hour Recording Mode.......................................................................................................................... 10
Minutes Recording Mode ............................................................................................................................ 11
Scheduled Recording Mode ......................................................................................................................... 11
UM384BLE configuration app .................................................................................................................... 12
USB Power .................................................................................................................................................. 13
SD card ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
XML File Editing ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Scheduling Deletion ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Amplification Settings ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Firmware Upgrade ........................................................................................................................................... 20
Simplified Flow Code ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Led messages ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Technical Specifications .................................................................................................................................. 25
Recording Times .............................................................................................................................................. 26
Customization .................................................................................................................................................. 26
VT ULTRAMIC-384 Bottom Recorder .......................................................................................................... 27
Examples .......................................................................................................................................................... 33
1 BAT CALLS ............................................................................................................................................. 33
2 BIRD, INSECT AND BAT CALLS ......................................................................................................... 37
3 SOUNDSCAPE ........................................................................................................................................ 38
4 CALLS RECORDING ............................................................................................................................. 39
5 MONITOR PREDICTIVE ....................................................................................................................... 38
FAQ ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 40
TIPS and TRICKS ........................................................................................................................................... 41
Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................... 42
Safety Precautions ........................................................................................................................................... 43

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BODYFRONT
REAR CAP
BLUETOOTH
PUSH BUTTON
CIRCUIT
CR1220 CLOCK BATTERY
MICRO SD CARD
SWITCHES
CAP
Overview
The VT Ultramic-384 is a high quality - professional digital audio and ultrasonic microphone that can work as both:
-
Ultrasonic USB microphone
-
Unattended audio and ultrasonic recorder
The VT Ultramic-384 has an integrated analog-to-digital converter able to achieve a 384 Khz data sampling rate; this mean that
you can record sounds up to about 190 Khz.
The USB 2.0 full speed port allows an easy connection to your PC, iOS, Android smartphone or tablet and to embedded Linux
systems.
When used with an external USB battery, the VT Ultramic-384’s low power, integrated 32 bit microcontroller makes it the
perfect device for long term autonomous recording. Only 30 mA @5 Volts of power are required when operating at full speed.
Features

A high performance - omnidirectional audio and ultrasonic microphone

USB 2.0 full speed connection using a driverless - standard audio class UAC 1.1 interface for an easier communication with
host devices

Hardware amplification gain is settled via two switches

Easy disassembly to access the SD card slot, the backup battery, the pre-amplification switches and button.

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Applications

BIOACOUSTICS:
o
Detecting and recording of biological ultrasounds for bioacoustics studies on insects, cetaceans, rodents, and
bats.
o
Environmental studies to assess the impact of wind farms on bats.
o
Recording and analyzing mice ultrasonic vocalizations for pharmacological studies.
o
Soundtracks and special effects (such as slowing down the recorded ultrasounds).

INDUSTRIAL:
o
LEAK detection
o
Predictive motor fault monitoring
o
Detection of high-frequency noises emitted by switching power supplies, LCD screens, or the turbines of car and
truck engines, energy saving lamps.
The Circuit
Backup and clock battery
Amplification
switches
Push
button
Bluetooth SD card PROGRAMMER
CONNECTOR
USB CONNECTOR
+5V
D-
D+
GROUND
INPUT CONNECTOR
+5V
INPUT –
INPUT +
MIC
Not connected
GROUND
+1.5V

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Take care with the O-Ring!!! A bad insertion can cut the sealing, vanishing the waterproof protection.
Disassembly
To disassemble the VT UltraMic-384,
you can simply
unscrew the back ring and keep the metal
tube with one
hand and push the plastic component.
To reassemble the VT UltraMic-384
you can push back the
plastic into the metal tube.
1
2
3

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Screw the top cap
Membrane inserted
Insert the membrane in the cap
Place the membrane
Black ring face up
The membrane can be easily
unmounted unscrewing the
top cap
Unscrew the top cap
Membrane mounted
Membrane mounting

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The front membrane greatly decreases the sensitivity in ultrasonic range so provide a
shelter from rain and unscrew and remove the front membrane to have a better sensitivity.
Versions
Three VT Ultra-Mic384 versions are available:
-
VT Ultra-Mic384 USB MICROPHONE
-
VT Ultra-Mic384 BOTTOM RECORDER
The different versions have the same circuitry and as a consequence the same functionality.
VT UltraMic-384 USB MICROPHONE
The easiest way to detect and record ultrasound, all integrated in a delrin container and aluminum tube.
VT UltraMic-384 BOTTOM RECORDER
The hydrophone version. The bottom recorder is essentially an UltraMic installed into a plastic case specifically designed to
support high pressure for deep sea recordings.
Waterproof
VT Ultramic-384 is a waterproof IP67 microphone when the front cap is tightly screwed. The USB connector is – not a
waterproof device, therefore it must be protected from humidity and dust. The microphone sensor is protected by a PTFE
membrane glued to the black front cap.
Even if the membrane is very thin it will block a part of ultrasonic sounds. If you don’t need the waterproof protection or if you
have provided a custom shelter for VT UltraMic-384 from rain, then unscrew the front cup so you’ll get all the sensitivity of VT
UltraMic-384.
While the VT UltrMic-384 is water resistant and designed to operate in an outdoor environment, it is strongly recommended that
the VT Ultramic-384 be protected from the direct rain or snow. In addition, please note that it will be difficult for the sound to be
captured by the sensor if the windscreen or the sensor becomes wet.
Finally, please ensure that the USB cable leads down from the device so that any water is channeled away from the microphone,
minimizing the chance of water infiltration through the grommet.

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USB Microphone
VT UltraMic-384 is commonly used as a USB ultrasonic microphone. You simply
have to:
-
Remove the internal SD card
-
Connect the USB connector to your PC, smartphone or tablet.
The use of standard USB audio class allows the microphone to be used as a standard Plug & Play device with no driver
installation required.
… WITH YOUR PC
Insert the USB connector of the microphone to the USB connector of your PC and launch the Multi-Instrument software.
… WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET
Use a USB OTG adapter and connect the VT UltraMic-384 to your Android smartphone. Download the compatible software
such as BAT RECORDER app and open it.
Connect your headphones to listen the ultrasound translated in audio range. The online user guide will lead you to understand the
available features.
Smartphone and VT UltraMic-384 with the microphone metal holder.

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dB
Frequency in Hz * 1000
… WITH YOUR iOS DEVICE
With the lightening USB adapter, connect your microphone to your iPad, iPod or iPhone. Download the compatible software
such as ULTRASONIC ANALYZER app to capture the ultrasound.
Frequency response

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In both One Hour Recording Mode and in Minutes Recording Mode no scheduling must be
present in the memory of the VT UltraMic-384. Please check the memory and erase it as explained
in the SCHEDULING DELETION chapter.
Unattended Recorder
The VT UltraMic-384 is also an embedded recorder and nothing else is required but an external USB power supply and a
formatted SD card.
There are three ways of recording:

ONE HOUR RECORDING MODE

MINUTES RECORDING MODE

SCHEDULED RECORDING MODE
One Hour Recording Mode
This is the simplest way to use it as an autonomous recorder. No scheduling is needed.
This mode allows you to make a single, one hour length recording each time the microphone is powered on. After one hour the
file is closed and the VT UltraMic-384 will go into a low power mode.
How to setup the autonomous one - hour recording mode:
-
Open the VT UltraMic-384 by unscrewing the back.
-
Insert a formatted SD card into the slot on the circuit board.
-
Reassemble the device.
-
Power the device via an USB power supply such as wall adapter or a USB power bank.
Then the device starts recording at 384kHz sampling rate. Every 8 seconds the RED led emits a blink indicating the beginning of
recording. If you want to stop the recording press the button for a few seconds. Consequently the green led blinks rapidly to
indicate the stop of the current recording.
Every time VT UltraMic-384 is powered on, it creates a new folder - sequentially named using the format PWRxxxxx - where
xxxxx is a sequential number. A maximum of 6 files is saved in the folder, each file up to 480 Mbytes in size (approximately 10
minutes recording).
If you need another hour recording, then repower the device again.
Note:
- As an alternative, you could use an external timer connected to a USB wall mount adapter so that the timer powers the
microphone for a periodic one - hour recording.