New iPhone SPL (Sound Pressure Level) Meter Apps!
I recently watched a YouTube video about Paul van Dyk's new iPhone DJ App (not available in the US yet as of this time), one feature of which was a sound meter. It actually turns out that the iPhone can be used as a fairly reliable sound meter!
I found several links to other iPhone sound meters that are currently available, so will list them below. Please keep in mind the following if you decide to get one:
- Apparently due to iPhone hardware limitations, clipping occurs when the sound level reaches 105db(C) or roughly 85db(A). As many nightclubs exceed this level, the meter may max out at 105db(C)/85db(A) when used at clubs.
- Accuracy of the meter depends on the iPhone's internal microphone. There's a calibration setting included with all of these SPL meters to adjust, but it's recommended to calibrate against a professionally calibrated meter before using.
- These meters are not up to ANSI professional standards (we're talking the iPhone here!), but I have read a number of reviews from people with $2,000+ professional meters that the iPhone reading is with 1.5-2db of the professional meter once it has been calibrated!
The great thing is that, subject to these limitations, you have an always-ready sound meter whenever you need it! Keeping in mind that they may not be super-precise, if using one of these meters at a club and the sound peaks at the 105db(C) or 85db(A) cutoff, this means that the sound level has exceeded 105db(C)/85db(A). Going back to the chart on the first page of this thread and the discussion about various earplugs, you can then find out which kind of earplugs offer the best protection.
Another thing to keep in mind is that since these meters cap off at 105db(C)/85db(A), you'll only know that the sound is louder than that. At such high volumes, the max permissible time before hearing damage occurs goes down by half for every 3db. If someone took a measurement with a professional sound meter and found the sound was 115db, for example, then the max exposure time should be divided in half approx. 3 more times to account for the difference.
Outside of a club, the meter could be used in the car, race car track, rock concert, or whatever to measure the sound.
ok, here's the list of iPhone SPL Meter apps (prices from 99 cents to $19.99, subject to change) that I have found so far:
SPL Meter
SPL Pro
SoundMeter
If you know of any more that work better, or have had experience using any of these, let me know and I will add them to the list!
Update: New developments with smartphone sound pressure level meter apps, including a study conducted by the CDC. See page 8 of this thread for details.
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Last edited by in2muzikk on Jul-28-2014 at 08:37
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