Testing Microphone Sensitivity
The Song Meter Configurator app includes a utility that can be used to test the sensitivity of a paired recorder's installed microphones.
It displays real-time measurements of the volume of each microphone's incoming signal in decibels relative to full scale (dBFS). When paired with a calibrated signal generator, this provides a simple and objective measurement of the microphone's sensitivity at one frequency.
If the optional acoustic microphone is installed, readings for both microphones will be displayed side-by-side. The ultrasonic microphone is displayed as the Left microphone, and the acoustic microphone is displayed as the Right microphone. Ultrasonic and acoustic microphones require different equipment in order to test sensitivity. See Test the Ultrasonic Microphone and Test the Acoustic Microphone for each microphone's test procedure.
In order to test a microphone's sensitivity, it is necessary to have a signal generator that produces a sound at a known frequency and amplitude, a fixed distance from the microphone. Without a consistent reference sound source, the Test Microphone readout does not provide a useful measurement of microphone sensitivity.