Sound Meter Pro

The advanced version of the SPL(sound pressure level) meter app, called Smart Meter Pro, has recently been released. While the original app, Sound Meter Pro, will continue to receive updates, it is highly recommended that new users purchase the new version.

The app uses the microphone on your device to measure the volume of noise in decibels (db) and provides a reference for comparison. The developers have calibrated the app using an actual sound meter with dB(A) on a variety of Android devices.

It is important to note that most smartphone microphones are designed to pick up human voices, with a range of 300-3400Hz and a maximum volume of 40-60dB. This means that very loud sounds (100+ dB) may not be accurately measured by the app. The maximum values for some popular devices are Moto G4 (94dB), Galaxy S6 (85dB), and Nexus 5 (82dB). However, the app can be trusted for routine noise levels between 40-70dB and can be used as a helpful tool.

In addition to measuring sound levels, the app also has a vibrometer feature that uses the phone's sensors to measure vibrations or earthquakes. The results are displayed on a reference scale based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (MMI). If the results are not accurate, the app can be calibrated to provide a maximum value of 10-11. However, it is important to note that the performance and sensitivity of Android devices can vary, so the results should be used as a reference only.

The Pro version of the app offers additional features such as no ads, integration of the sound meter and vibrometer, a statistic menu with a line chart, the ability to export data as a CSV file, and the option to adjust the duration of the line chart. The developers have also calibrated the app for more models of Android devices.

For more information, users can watch YouTube videos and visit the app's blog. The app is available for a one-time payment and does not require an internet connection to function. However, it is recommended to open the app 1-2 times while connected to Wi-Fi or 3G/4G after installation.