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| Need sound pressure level recording software I want to measure the sound level (aka noise levels) in dB in a room on an ongoing basis and automatically e-mail .csv files of the measurements so they can be plotted. A nice add-on would automatically plots the levels for various daily periods, but I can probably use macros for that in Excel or a statistics program.
I'm thinking this would run on an old Windows XP or Windows 7 PC with a remote mic, either analog or USB connection. It would be helpful if the software were incapable of making actual recordings.
I've used the app Sound Meter on Android, which is a good manual solution. The problem seems to be that it's dependent on the built-in microphone, and cell phones don't seem to have good enough dynamic range to be useful.
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USNG:
16TDN2870
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 ArthurSWatch Those Blinking LightsPremium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON | What's the purpose of taking these measurements?
What's your budget?
How high a level are you measuring?
If you are providing data that has any legal or governmental purposes, be prepared to spend some considerable money on professional calibrated equipment. You will be laughed out of the room within anything less.
If you're doing this for your own personal benefit, then get yourself a calibrator, cheap test mic, USB preamp, and software such as this:
»www.10eazy.com/ |
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Reviews:
·Time Warner Cable
·AT&T Midwest
·voip.ms
| said by ArthurS:What's the purpose of taking these measurements?
What's your budget?
How high a level are you measuring?
If you are providing data that has any legal or governmental purposes...
...
If you're doing this for your own personal benefit, then get yourself a calibrator, cheap test mic, USB preamp, and software such as this:
»www.10eazy.com/ Thanks for the software link. That looks like a good start.
No legal or engineering requirements. I just want to establish a historical baseline and eventually try various tactics to reduce the noise level. Right now I have nothing more than "It's too noisy".
Using the Android app, the max value on the chart is 86 dB, so over an hour, it's mostly pegged. That tells me the mic can't handle anything higher. I'm guessing the averages are not much higher, but there are impulses that probably run well over 100 dB. Is 130 dB too much to ask from a cheap microphone?
My budget is, an old PC and a few bucks for this and that.
Cheap preamp with XLR and 1/4" jacks
»www.amazon.com/Behringer-302USB-···5EHILV4/
For the mic then I just need an XLR or 1/4" with a high enough top end. Took a quick look at cheapies on Amazon but didn't find one that lists a dB range. Would this one work? »www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-EMM-···2KI8X40/
Also ran across this one and wondered if it might pass anything higher than 86 dB to the Sound Meter Android app: »www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-iMM-···ADR2B84/
I don't see any calibrators in my price range.
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ArthurSWatch Those Blinking LightsPremium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON | Yeah, the preamp and first mic you listed should do fine and good up to 120 dB SPL. I find that the mini "test" mics that plug into the earphone jack of a phone to be very inadequate for test and measurement work, mostly due to the constraints of the audio input stage of the phone. You're no better off than using the built-in microphone of the phone itself. A gimmick IMHO.
If you're looking for a cheap calibrator, you can find a used one on eBay very easily. As long as you're within a dB or two, you should be ok.
If you have an iPhone or iPad, here are two companies that make great software that might do some of what you desire to do:
»www.studiosixdigital.com/
»www.faberacoustical.com/
I own and use both. |
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| Thanks for those links as well. I do appreciate it!
Yes, I have all the i-stuff so I will check that out when I have more time. Studio six hardware looks great. |
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