Test the Internal Microphone Using an Example Recording

About this task

One way to test the internal microphone of the Song Meter Micro 2 is to make a recording of someone speaking, then listen back to the recording on a computer to verify that the voice was recorded reasonably clearly.

Procedure

  1. Insert a microSD card into the recorder's microSD card slot.
  2. Pair the Recorder with the Song Meter Configurator App.

    Configure and Unpair icons will appear next to the recorder's name.

  3. Tap the Configure icon for the paired Song Meter Micro 2 in the Recorders screen.
  4. Change the recorder's settings to values appropriate for this test.
    1. Change the Sample rate to 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz.

      Lower sample rates are unable to record the highest-frequency components of the human voice and can cause the test recording to sound muffled.

    2. Change the Gain setting to 6 dB.

      With higher gain settings, speaking close to the microphone at typical volume can result in a distorted recording, making it difficult to gauge microphone condition.

    3. Select the preset schedule Record birds/frogs 24 hours a day.

    Ten seconds after your last settings change, the Recording LED will begin blinking green to indicate the Song Meter Micro 2 is recording.

  5. Make a test recording.
    1. When the Recording LED begins blinking green, hold the Song Meter Micro 2 approximately one meter from your mouth, with the MIC vent facing you.
    2. In a quiet environment, speak clearly at a normal volume. Just a few words is enough.
    3. Set the ON/OFF switch to OFF before removing the microSD card.
  6. Listen to the test recording.
    1. Connect the microSD card to a computer.
    2. Open the recording in an audio playback program.

Results

The recorded voice should be clear and intelligible.

If the voice sounds distorted, make sure the Gain on the Song Meter Micro 2 is set to 6 dB, and that the recorder was held at least one meter from the person's mouth. Sounds that are too close, too loud, or recorded with the Gain set too high will create distorted recordings.

If the voice sounds muffled, make sure the MIC vent on the front lid is unobstructed, and make sure the Sample rate is set to 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz.