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Guitarfreak 23 March 2009

Is there one that exists for a decent price? And why are there such big differences in price? It's a meter...It's a single function device, so why do some go for $30 and some for $150?

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Guitarfreak Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:29

Wow, so I guess a meter isn't always a good meter? Then again music is a fluid science not a mathematical one. I've heard of software that could do the same thing. Does anybody know how reliable these are and what is needed?

I am just trying to get a feel for the SPL in my room when I record guitar. Whether or not I am endangering my hearing or not and etc.

BTW: No I don't crank the amps up as a starting point for recording, but loud enough. (I've read the Slipperman article, so I use that as a foundation.)

Any advice?

dvdhawk Mon, 03/23/2009 - 21:18

You should be able to find a fairly reliable one for $50 or thereabouts.

I've had an old analog one from Radio Shack that I got back in the early 80's - It still works like a champ. I have a cute cheap little digital $30 - one of the ±3.5dB deals. And I have a Phonic PAA3 that I use a lot in my day to day work.

If I could just have one, it would be the analog.

http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=sound%20level%20meter&origkw=sound%20level%20meter&sr=1

http://www.phonic.com/en/testers/paa3.html

Lavry Black DA11

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?FTR=&search_type=main&WebPage_ID=3&searchFilter=sound+level+meter&x=0&y=0

The problem you'll have with any software meter is, what would you calibrate it to? You need a calibrated mic and specifically calibrated amp.

Do your ears ring after you've been playing guitar for a while? If they do, it's a warning.
Safe exposure is a combination of sound level and duration. It's cumulative, so the older you get the worse it will get.

Here's a graph of OSHA's recommended maximum exposure:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme-ihp.aspx

ALSO: If you play live, I'm a big fan of the Westone or Etymotic Research ER15 custom molded earplugs. They're not cheap, but I'd probably be deaf as a post if I hadn't started wearing them almost 20 years ago.

Link555 Tue, 03/24/2009 - 06:48

Read a bit about A-weighting.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-weighting

Most cheap meters have A and C weighting.

If the source does not have a lot of low end engery, like your guitar, A will work just fine.

The better meter offer more weighting options with a tighter tolerences. You can spend more the 5k on a SPL meter if you want.

Many Software pacakges are great, but you will need a flat mic,neutral preamp, and neutral ADC to ensure your signal going to the software is accurate.

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