Virtins Vt ultramic-384 User manual

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

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.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

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

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

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.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

Applications



BIOACOUSTICS:

Detecting and recording of biological ultrasounds for bioacoustics studies on insects, cetaceans, rodents, and

bats.

Environmental studies to assess the impact of wind farms on bats.

Recording and analyzing mice ultrasonic vocalizations for pharmacological studies.

Soundtracks and special effects (such as slowing down the recorded ultrasounds).



INDUSTRIAL:

LEAK detection

Predictive motor fault monitoring

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

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

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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.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

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

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

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.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

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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.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

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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

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

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.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

When the VT UltraMic-384 is recording, it is important not to power off the device. Otherwise, all

the files stored in the SD card may be compromised.

SOLUTION

: while recording (beware of the blinking RED led) you can stop the device by pressing

the button for few seconds. Then the green led will blink and the recorded file will be

closed

correctly.

Minutes Recording Mode

In this recording mode you can do recordings with a specified length and sampling rate, with no need to do a complex

scheduling. You can also specify, in minutes from 1 to 10, the size of the file into which the recording will be divided.

For example if you need to record for 70 minutes at 48 kHz with one minute split size in a simple way please consider the

following steps:

By using a simple text editor with your PC create three files with the following extension:

70.rec, 48.spr and 1.spl

copy the files in a micro SD card

power the VT UltraMic-384, it will start recording at 48 kHz for 70 minutes, splitting the recording.

If you need different times, please change the “70” in the file name with the correct one. If you need other sampling

frequencies, please change the “48” in the file name with the preferred frequency.

Allowed frequencies in kHz are:



384



192



200



250

Allowed file name for minutes are between 11.rec and 90.rec (the range is between 11 and 90 minutes). For the split file size, the

name can be 1.spl and 10.spl (range from 1 to 10 minutes).

NOTE:

If no sampling rate is specified it will record at 384 Khz.

No scheduling must be present in the memory of VT UltraMic-384. Otherwise, the scheduling mode will be

followed instead of Minutes Recoding mode. See Scheduling Deletion.

Scheduled Recording Mode

The scheduled recording mode allows a wide flexibility in record planning. For example, you can record a bird’s song every day

from 5:00 a.m. for 2 hours at 48kHz and then bat’s calls from 10:00 p.m. for 50 minutes at 384kHz and so on. Another recording

scheme mainly used in soundscape recording can be as follow: you can record a sound for 10 minutes then keep the device off

for 50 minutes and then repeat the cycle.

There are two ways to program the device for scheduling:



By the UM384BLE CONFIG Android app



Manually editing the XML file

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

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CONFIG. TAB

Only Android devices from 4.3 are compatible with Bluetooth low power!!

UM384BLE configuration app

The UM384BLE CONFIG app allows a complex recording scheduling. Follow these

steps to set up your UltraMic-384:

- Download the UM384BLE CONFIG app from

www.dodotronic.com/download SCHEDULING TAB

Install and launch the app. The

following screen appears

CONNECTION TAB

TRIGGER

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

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 The clock battery is a coin battery inserted in the circuit and visible when opening the VT

UltraMic-384.

This battery is used only to keep the internal clock on and it cannot supply any power to

recording.

The power to turn on the microphone comes only from the USB connector!

HOW TO CONNECT VT ULTRAMIC-384 TO

YOUR SMARTPHONE

Go to the CONNECT tab on the screen and press the Scan & Connect button (the smartphone is now waiting for a

connection).

Insert a micro SD card in the VT UltraMic-384.

Power the VT UltraMic-384 via USB.

Then green led blinks rapidly until the device is connected.

The systems are synchronized and the following parameters are displayed:

SD Free space in Mbytes

Internal clock (click on the SEND TIME button to align the clock)

Voltage of the clock battery.

On the CONNECT tab the available buttons are:

Scan and Connect - press this button to connect the smartphone to VT UltraMic-384

Disconnect - press this button to disconnect the Bluetooth connection

Conf erase - it allows you to delete the configuration from the VT UltraMic-384

Send Time - it aligns the time (synchronizing) of the smartphone with the internal clock of the VT UltraMic-384

Get Mic Info - it updates the information on this page with the internal settings of the VT UltraMic-384

Audio Level - it shows the audio level in dB.

Send conf – it send the configuration parameters to the VT UltraMic-384

USB Power

In recording mode, the microphone needs to be powered

continuously. If the power is interrupted, the scheduling stops.

If the power stops while the microphone is recording, the SD

card can be corrupted with the loss of all files previously stored

in the card.

Unfortunately the commercial power banks used to recharge

smartphones, have got a circuit that stops the power at a defined

minimum level of current. This happens when the VT UltraMic-

384 in scheduled mode sleeps between two recordings and the

current falls below 1 mA. This kind of power bank must be

modified such that it can supply constantly the current even

when there is no load at all, before it can be used for VT

UltraMic-384.

Another possibility is to create a homemade power bank by using standard battery holder combined with a USB voltage

converter (easily available on online electronics shop).

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology



The SD card MUST be formatted using the SD card formatter free software every time a

new recording session is started:

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter

SD card

The SD card is inserted into the connector present in the integrated circuit board and used to record incoming data. By default,

the VT UltraMic-384 behaves as a standard USB audio microphone without the need for a driver. If a SD card is present when

the device is powered on, the VT UltraMic-384 will behave as a recorder according to the previously mentioned modes.

If a SD card is used, VT UltraMic-384 requires a card with a 2 GB minimum storage capacity. Note also that faster data transfer

speeds will result in better performance. Old or low quality SD cards could have a low transfer rate and data loss can occur

during recordings.

Please note that data transfer speed may gradually degrade

depending on the type of SD card used.

Specifically, your card performance may deteriorate if the SD

card is repeatedly written to or erased. If this occurs, try to re-

initialize the SD card using the above mentioned software.

Also note that the recorder may be incompatible with certain

SD, SDHC or SDXC cards.

If your SD card is not recognized, please remove the SD card

and then re-insert it to see if the recorder finally recognizes it.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

XML File Editing

You can use a text editor such as Notepad to

create an XML file that contains all the

information to specify an autonomous

recording plan.

Then:

Save the XML file in the root of the

micro SD card.

Open the VT UltraMic-384 and insert

the micro SD card into the slot on the

circuit board.

Power the VT UltraMic-384 (the time

stamp will be set according to time the

device is powered up). The VT UltraMic-

384 will now starts recording according

to the XML file stored information. After

the end of the recording session, the

device will go into a sleep mode until the

integrated timer wakes the device up

again for the next recording session.

ATTENTION: Please do not turn off the

power while recording, as this could

corrupt the FAT partition on the SD card

and all the stored files could be lost!

If a XML file is present in the micro SD

card, recorded files will be stored in folders

using the naming convention YYYYMMDD

where YYYY stands for the year, MM for

the month and DD for the day. Each file

in the folder will use the following naming

convention: YYYYMMDDT_hhmmss_fff.wav,

where the last part of the file name corresponds

to the starting hours, minutes and seconds

respectively and then the sampling frequency.

During recording, the red LED will blink every

8 seconds.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<filedim_measure>m</filedim_measure>

<stop_db>-35</stop_db>

<start_db>-29</start_db>

</defaultsettings>

</modetime>

</modetime>

</modetime>

</modetime>

</scheduling>

</config>

</UltraMic384>

XML file example for TIME MODE

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

XML File Explanation

XML file configuration is a straightforward operation. The text file is composed of delineating tags. Each tag defines a specific

parameter. Specifically, each parameter is surrounded by a start tag <xxx> and an end tag </xxx>, where xxx is the parameter

name.

The following parameters are currently supported:

<UltraMic384> main tag

<version> version number

<config> configuration tag

<defaultrate> sampling rate definition: 1=384kHz

(default)

2=192 kHz

3=96 kHz

4=48 kHz

5=200 kHz

6=250 kHz

<trigger> trigger activation: 0=off

(default)

1=ON (no filter)

2=ON with HPF (15 kHz high pass filter)

3= ON with HPF (8 kHz high pass filter)

<filedimension> is the dimension in which

the file is split to be better processed in post-

production (in minutes).

<filedim_measure> unit of measure for file split: m= minutes

s= seconds (max 55 seconds)

<devicename> this custom field can be used to set a name for a recording session.

<timeleft> is the remaining recording time in the SD card before the alert (defined by a yellow led fast blinking).

<stop_db> and <start_db> values are related to the trigger; if a signal goes over the start dB, then the recording starts and

continues until a signal is present over the stop dB.

If the signal is below the stop dB for at least 1 second then the recording is stopped.

Please, you may consider that when the signal exceeds the start dB then the record starts and the signal is immediately

monitored again.

<startdate> Date at which the recording will start

<scheduling> this tag defines the start of the scheduling tag.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<filedim_measure>m</filedim_measure>

<devicename>UM_CONTIN</devicename>

<stop_db>-45</stop_db>

<start_db>-39</start_db>

</defaultsettings>

</moderepeat>

</scheduling>

</config>

</UltraMic384>

XML file example for REPEAT MODE

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

<setdatetime> defines the date and time clock. This tag is mandatory to synchronize the clock of the microphone with all the

scheduling.

TIME MODE

<modetime> in time mode the single programmed event is repeated daily

<start> start defines the starting time of a recording event (i.e. 19:00)

<duration> duration defines the length of the recording expressed in hours and minutes i.e. 05:00

<samplingrate> sampling rate definition: 1=384Khz, 2=192Khz, 3=96Khz, 4=48Khz. 5=200Khz, 6=250Khz. This tag overwrites

the <defaultrate> tag and it is specific for the single event.

REPEAT MODE

<moderepeat> the event is repeated continuously starting when the VT UltraMic-384 is powered on.

<record> this is the time in hours and minutes for recording.

<pause> this is the pause between two records.

Comments can also be added using the following tag: <!-- xxx →>, where xxx represents the comment itself. Comments are

ignored by the VT UltraMic-384.

How to load the XML file:

Copy the XML file named ultramic384.xml in the root directory of a micro SD card

Insert the SD card into the VT UltraMic-384.

Power the microphone (the yellow led is ON)

After few seconds the green led will blink very fast.

All the LEDs blink sequentially

This sequence indicates that the new scheduling is stored in the memory of the VT UltraMic-384 If you check the SD card the

file ultramic384.xml is renamed in ultramic384.old

If something is gone wrong, then the file is renamed ultramic384.err and the old scheduling is deleted. If the scheduling is not

loaded at all then the file name ultramic384.xml remains unchanged.

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology



Every time the file is renamed in ultramic384.err the previous configuration stored into

the microphone will be deleted!

Scheduling Deletion

The VT UltraMic-384 stores the recording mode and ALL programming instructions into the internal memory. Even if the VT

UltraMic-384 is disconnected from the USB all these values are retained into the memory supplied by the internal watch battery.

If you want to delete the scheduling there are three ways to do it:

Remove the backup battery, every

scheduling is deleted herein, included

the internal clock.

Use the Android app and once

connected click on CONF. ERASE.

The clock is maintained.

Save the following xml file and

store it into the VT UltraMic-384 as

previously explained for normal

scheduling:

Contrary to the standard scheduling

programming, the ultramic384.xml file will

be renamed to ultramic384.err and the

scheduling will be deleted.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!-- THIS FILE MUST BE SAVED AS ultramic384.xml

Configuration file to blank timer and date time

on device -->

</defaultsettings>

</scheduling>

</config>

</UltraMic384>

XML file example to DELETE THE SCHEDULING

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

 The VT UltraMic-384 has no internal filter, and a voltage applied to IN+ and IN- will result

in a DC sampling proportional to the voltage itself. This can be very useful to capture very low

speed signals, such as vibration or infrasound.

Amplification Settings

The integrated switches control the amplification level. By unscrewing the back of the device near the USB cable and then pushing

on the aluminum tube you can access to the circuit board.

Turning on the switch n° 1 will result a 10 x amplification. (Default with the FG sensor) Turning on the switch n° 2 will result a

100 x amplification.

Be sure to grease the o-ring when reassembling the device.

UltraMic-384 circuit board

NUMBER

FUNCTION NOTES

+5V Directly connected to USB port

IN- Negative differential input

IN+ Positive differential input

MICROPHONE Decoupled with a capacitor

NC Not connected

GND GROUND

VT UltraMic-384 Hardware Operation Manual

Virtins Technology

The filename FIRMWARE.ENC is mandatory! A different filename will not update the firmware.

Firmware Upgrade

Download the upgrade file (if any) FIRMWARE.ENC. Store the file in the root directory of a micro SD card. Insert the SD

card into the VT UltraMic-384.

Power the microphone, the yellow LED is on for some second and then the green LED will blink up to the end of the firmware

updating.

Remove the SD card.

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