A decibel meter is a device used for measuring sound intensity in units called decibels. It is most commonly used in the fields of acoustics and audio engineering to measure sound levels in the environment. A decibel meter can help you determine the volume of a sound, its frequency, the frequency range it encompasses and other related information.
A decibel meter typically consists of an amplifier, filter circuits and an analog or digital display. The sound energy is captured by the meter’s microphones and then amplified, filtered and converted to a readable display. This allows the user to measure sounds accurately and in a reasonable range.
Most decibel meters use A-weighted scales for measurement. This means that the frequency response of the meter is adjusted to reflect how the human ear responds to different frequencies of sound. A-weighted scales measure frequencies from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
The most common type of decibel meter is the handheld version. Handheld meters are relatively low-cost and easily portable. They are flexible enough to measure sound in a variety of environments, and their adjustable settings allow for precise readings.
Spectral decibel meters represent a more sophisticated type of sound level meter. These kinds of meters measure sound energy at different frequencies. They allow users to measure the frequency of a sound as well as its intensity.
Anaphase decibel meters measure the rate of sound pressure change over time, as opposed to an instantaneous measurement. This type of decibel meter is most often used to measure the loudness of music at a live venue or in a recording studio. Anaphase meters are accurate and their readings are repeatable, so they can be used to compare sound levels over time.
Regardless of the type of decibel meter you choose, it is important to remember that the readings should be interpreted in relation to the environment in which they are taken. As a general rule, 30 decibels is considered quiet; 60 decibels is normal conversation; 70 decibels is loud speech; and 85 decibels is considered dangerous.
A decibel meter can be an invaluable tool for anyone interested in measuring sound levels in their environment. By taking the necessary precautions and understanding their limitations, decibel meters can be very useful for a variety of audio and acoustic applications. With the wide range of decibel meters available, it is important to research each model’s features and specifications to find the one that best suits your needs.
