How can I easily and reliably measure sound (db)
- Thread starter mattyfez
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It's for quite a random reason, I play the guitar (acoustic) and there's a forum where there's some talk of older guitars getting louder, certain types of construction and bracing and wood type being different volumes, one guy used an iPhone app and got 92db from a guitar that's kinda known for being a bit of a cannon, would be interesting to see some comparisons.
Although I too am highly dubious about the a db meter app, especially as Ive read most 'cheap' mics can't hear anything above so many decibels, and it varies from device to device,galaxy s3 aapparently can't register anything above 82db, where as the s2 can apparently go up to 95db. Then you've got to hope the app is actually accurate.
Be nice to have an easy way for a bunch of people to test without having to fork out for any specialist equipment, as it's only a bit of fun.
Although I too am highly dubious about the a db meter app, especially as Ive read most 'cheap' mics can't hear anything above so many decibels, and it varies from device to device,galaxy s3 aapparently can't register anything above 82db, where as the s2 can apparently go up to 95db. Then you've got to hope the app is actually accurate.
Be nice to have an easy way for a bunch of people to test without having to fork out for any specialist equipment, as it's only a bit of fun.
Smart phone is crazy inaccurate.. Mine recorded 92.6db from a gas turbine. No chance
It might be accurate but from what ive read, a lot of non specialist mics such as those on phones simply can't register over a certain amount, so you probably just maxed it out.
Well this is the thing, the most pro looking app on Android has a disclaimer saying s3 which I have can only go up to like 82db or whatever, other phones such as the s2 can register a bit higher so for a remote forum comparison it's kinda flawed from the get go.
I'll try the app, but i imagine that kind of limit won't cut it. 90db is a shed load louder than 80.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?site....9.3220.YrR8Uppwc7o#biv=i|2;d|8uIYmrkMD4ld_M:
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It may not be accurate but my smartphone app helps me to adjust all my guitar and amp volume settings which it is capable of doing.
So for instance I use a James Tyler JTV-59 which emulates many famous guitars but the four I use on stage have different volumes which are noticeable.
I put my amp on clean and then using my guitars Workbench software I'm able to adjust each sound to exactly the same db and then save those four guitars into my presets.
On stage I noticed that my main 4 amp sounds weren't quite accurate (clean, distortion, lead solo and heavy distortion) so using the smartphone app I made 3 of them exactly the same db and the lead channel is 6db louder which is perfect on stage.
Last weekend all my guitar & amp sounds were bob on
Interesting stuff, I've downloaded 'sound meter' which seems accurate and very responsive at low volume, which is great for setting a base line volume for instruments, and then just turning them up relative to each other.. I can't get it to breach 84db though which suggests a hardware limitation on the microphone on the phone. The app devs have suggested the s3 mic can't cope with anything more than about that.. So sounds about right.
Useful but a big un amplified acoustic can probably hit the 90's at close range.
Hmm, maybe I'll have to choose my next phone based on mic quality lol!
In the words of homer Simpson 'doh'!
That should work perfectly! Dunno why that didn't occur to me!
So some ground rules for testing could be the phone (mic) should be placed exactly (5) feet parallel to the sound hole. And the software used for measuring should be the same.
Quite an eye opener, just tested it, 3 foot distance in a quiet room, ambient noise about 27db, strumming hard goes 'off the chart' at about 83db, so a bit more distance, maybe 6 feet think should be able to do some good comparisons!
It's surprisingly sensitive, which is good, for example if someone speaks it jumps to about 60db.
Thanks for the insight!