2. About the Song Meter Mini 2
The Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini 2 is a bioacoustics recorder designed for recording birds, amphibians, terrestrial mammals and other wildlife that vocalize within the typical range of human hearing.
Its IP67-rated weatherproof enclosure and exceptionally long battery life mean it can be left unattended in the field for extended periods to collect audio recordings of nearby wildlife. Its flexible scheduling system means you can tailor your deployment to record only periods of peak activity or to stretch the recorder's battery life over extended deployments.
The Song Meter Mini 2 is primarily configured through the Song Meter Configurator mobile app via Bluetooth. This free companion app is available for iOS and Android devices, and it provides a simple interface for configuring the recorder's audio settings. The app receives periodic status updates from Song Meter recorders within Bluetooth range (typically 10-20 meters). This allows you to check on your recorders even when they are out of direct reach.
The Song Meter Configurator app also allows you to create and manage configuration files, which can be used to program any Song Meter Mini 2 with settings you can determine ahead of your deployment. This makes it easy to maintain consistent settings across multiple recorders or multiple deployments in any given project.
The Song Meter Mini 2 records audio in the widely supported .wav format, meaning recordings can be reviewed and processed in almost any audio software, including Wildlife Acoustics' Kaleidoscope Pro sound analysis software.
Battery Configuration Versions
The Song Meter Mini 2 can be purchased with one of two options for battery power:
The Song Meter Mini 2 AA can run on either four or eight AA batteries.
Alkaline, NiMH, and Energizer® Ultimate LithiumTM batteries can be used. All installed batteries must match. See Types of AA Batteries for more information.
The Song Meter Mini 2 Li-ion can run on between one and six 18650 lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. See Lithium-Ion Battery Requirements for details on choosing compatible batteries.
Note
These are two separate versions of the Song Meter Mini 2. Neither version can be converted or reconfigured to use the other type of battery.
The type of battery used significantly affects deployment time. As a general rule, 18650 lithium-ion batteries hold significantly more energy than AA batteries, and they are, by definition, rechargeable. Using six, high-quality 18650 lithium-ion batteries will enable the longest possible deployments with the Song Meter Mini 2.
Other than the differences in battery compatibility, the AA and Li-ion versions of the Song Meter Mini 2 are identical in functionality.
Important
Lithium-ion batteries are not to be confused with Energizer® Ultimate LithiumTM (lithium/iron disulfide) batteries.
18650 lithium-ion batteries are larger and put out a much higher voltage than all types of AA batteries. 18650 lithium-ion batteries therefore cannot be used interchangeably with any AA battery.
For specifications regarding batteries and deployment times, see: Batteries and Power.
Comparing the Song Meter Mini and Song Meter Mini 2
The Song Meter Mini 2 builds on the first-generation Song Meter Mini by taking into account the feedback we have received from users running all types of deployments since the original product's launch in 2020.
The first- and second-generation recorders share much in common, and users coming from the original Song Meter Mini will find the new Song Meter Mini 2 to be very familiar. However, there are several major improvements worth highlighting, as well as functional differences that we recommend keeping in mind, particularly if you have a mixed fleet of first- and second-generation recorders.
The Song Meter Mini 2's enclosure has been completely redesigned. It is now more robust and easier to use.
While the first-generation Song Meter Mini's enclosure was comprised of a separate base and lid, the enclosure of the Song Meter Mini 2 is joined by a permanent hinge, and the new, lockable latch can be more easily operated with one hand. The latch can be locked close using an appropriately sized padlock, without requiring an additional security bracket.
Note
The optional Security Bracket accessory for the first-generation Song Meter Mini is not compatible with the Song Meter Mini 2. Instead, the enclosure itself can be locked shut using a padlock.
The seal around the edges of the enclosure has been improved, and the enclosure (excluding acoustic stub mics) meets IP67 standards. This means it can withstand temporary submersion in water up to a depth of one meter without water intrusion. Note that installed acoustic stub mics can be damaged by underwater submersion, but they are protected against rain.
The back of the Song Meter Mini 2 features a tripod-style, ¼”-20 threaded mounting point. This enables you to mount the recorder using many accessories designed for trail cameras and similar devices.
For more detailed information on the new enclosure, see Song Meter Mini 2 Hardware.
The original Song Meter Mini had one built-in AA battery tray, allowing the use of four AA batteries by default. The optional Lithium-ion Lid accessory replaced the standard lid with a compartment for up to six 18650 lithium-ion batteries, installed in pairs.
The Song Meter Mini 2 now comes in two entirely separate versions, AA and Li-ion, each with a permanently installed battery tray for its respective battery type. See Battery Configuration Versions for more detail.
Note
The Song Meter Mini 2 is not compatible with the Lithium-ion Lid accessory for the first generation Song Meter Mini.
AA Batteries
The Song Meter Mini 2 AA can be used with either four or eight AA batteries. With eight AA batteries installed, you can record for twice as long as the original Song Meter Mini could with AA batteries. Ribbons built into the AA battery trays allow you to remove batteries much more easily.
Four or Eight: Maximum AA Voltage is the Same
AA batteries in the Song Meter Mini 2 AA are wired in two parallel sets of four batteries. This means that the recorder's Status screen will show the same voltage reading whether four or eight brand-new batteries are installed. The voltage reading on a recorder with eight batteries will decline at half the speed compared to a recorder with four batteries.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
The Song Meter Mini 2 Li-ion can be used with any number of 18650 batteries between one and six. Unlike the first-generation Song Meter Mini's Lithium-ion Lid accessory, 18650 batteries do not need to be installed in pairs.
Change in Voltage Reading
The original Song Meter Mini's Lithium-Ion Lid used pairs of 18650 batteries in parallel with other pairs of batteries. The new Song Meter Mini 2 Li-ion uses individual 18650 batteries in parallel with each other. This means that the voltage reading on the Song Meter Mini 2Li-ion's Status screen is half that of the original Song Meter Mini, despite having the same possible deployment time.
For example, with six fully charged 18650 batteries, a first-generation Song Meter Mini will display a voltage of 8.4 V, while a Song Meter Mini 2 will display a voltage of 4.2 V. Both recorders have the same total energy available despite the difference in voltage reading.
The Song Meter Mini and Song Meter Mini 2 run the same firmware versions, meaning both will be improved by the same new features and bug fixes as we release firmware updates.
Both recorders can also share configuration files. A configuration file exported from a Song Meter Mini can be imported into a Song Meter Mini 2, and vice-versa. This provides a simple way to maintain consistent settings across a mixed fleet of recorders.
Note
Configuration files that include the use of an optional second microphone cannot be completely imported into a recorder that does not have the second microphone installed. Relevant settings will be altered to only use the available microphone.