Decible Meter. Anyone have any recommendations?
I am looking for a decibel meter to measure the sound level differences between different shrouds and with out a shroud. I have found several models and learned a few things from members of other forums. Any feed back you guys have is welcome. I am looking to spend under $100. So far I have found a couple that say they can pick up a firearm and also a few apps for smart phones and computers.
If any one has one that actually works let me know.
Thanks all!
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I ended up downloading 2 apps one is sound meter from above and the other is called sound level meter. Both have my office right about 62 db which is believable. A clap about 10 inches in front of it is between 94 and 97 db. I figure if it catches a clap which is pretty sharp and quick it should be able to catch a shot. The sound level meter app has a button that allows screen shots Which will be cool. SO I can take an actual pic of the screen with the running chart on the bottom almost like an ekg print out that will let you see the spikes. SO all in all not a bad little investment for FREE!
Also ordered the lyman digital trigger pull gauge. Now just need to get home and put the gun together!
WIll post all results. I always keep detailed notes on my stuff and usually post them on here and a few other forums. Really looking forward to getting back and putting my condor together. I have so many new parts for it that I could probably build another gun. WIll post before and after #’s pics and sound levels plus trigger pull weight before and after the trigger spring install. Will be fun!
Pls post the results here. Will be interesting to see the difference
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Thanks for all the replies and info. Posted this question on 3 forums and most replies are the same. Will get one of the apps tonight and get one of the decible meters just to see how close they are. Will be interesting.
Have a good one all!
I bought a pair of real meters off of eBay. TH=hey work great, but aren’t the same as a $10,000 meter used in the studios by professionals.
those apps for the phones won’t give you a true reading. I tried them against my meter and they weren’t in the ball park!
Here is what I have. They are cheap but do work well enough to measure distances between guns when suppressed or not!! http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00L7CC4M2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
Here’s another one from Smart tool App
For a comparison this will do imho. And it’s free
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Sorry for the poor quality photo. This is a free cell phone app! Works okay for comparison purposes.
Wildfire :5:
If you are just using the numbers for comparisons and not needing laboratory standardized calibration grade accuracy, why not just giving one of the better quality smartphone apps a try.
I have found many different styles of sound pressure decible meters and audio frequency spectrum analyzers too.
Many useful ones for the Android can be found on the Google Play Store for free.
I have used several free audio measurement apps in the past and would expect that they would perform fine for meaasuring a controlled baseline and then comparing your various designed changes against the original.
I use a paid app that is touted as a “professional” tool, its called “FFT”. (I use it when working part time on sound reinforcement systems repair and maintenance)…
This app isnt an actual Db meter but actually is a spectral analyzer. It does measure amplitude and can freeze or lock the display peaks or maximum levels.
I believe viewing the sound output on a spectral display would be much more useful at comparing or testing the design parameters and effectiveness than simple sound pressure levels. Because it isnt just the sound pressure energy level that makes or breaks the effectiveness. Hearing isnt that simple or statically defined. It is how our sensory as humans or maybe even a specific game animal species may actually percieve the amplitude or loudness of a given sound.
Our ears dont percieve all pitches or frequencies of sound at the same sensitivity . You may make a design change that sounds quieter but maintains the same sound pressure level, however the pitch or frequency may have changed to a higher or lower frequency that our hearing is less sensitive.
Also you may cancel sound by introducing sound pressure waves of equal amplitude at the same frequency but at exactly the opposite phase creating a noise canceling effect.
Similiarly you may have sound pressure peaks at several different but complimentary frequencies that are resonant and might actually be percieved as louder, even though the sound pressure is the same or even less than measured.
With a spectral analyzer these measurements can be viewed and taken into consideration.
Spectral analyzers were once expensive labratory proprietary devices. Today they are available with software and any computer with a soundcard or even todays multimedia personal device like Iphone or Android smartphone or tablet. Why spend $100 for a simple standalone meter. When you can use free software to accomplish more?
Unless of course you need scientific standardized institute of standards laboratory measurement….. :7:
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The Lyman digital trigger gauge is very accurate! I use that all the time. I measured against my old NRA trigger pull gauge. It had matching results.
I still advise getting the cheap little meter. a Cell phone, no matter who makes it, is no a calibrated instrument.