DrDAQ : Sound Sensor (Microphone)

DrDAQ data logger

Built in sensors for light, sound and temperature
Measures pH - just plug in any standard electrode
Complete and ready to use at a fraction of the cost of other data loggers
Output for control experiments
PicoLog (data logging) and PicoScope (oscilloscope and spectrum analyser) software included

Sound Sensor

DrDAQs internal microphone can be used in two ways, firstly to display and record sound level (sound level meter) and secondly to display the actual sound waveform.

The sound level channel works over the 55dB to 100dB range (approximately from quiet conversation to a loud motorcycle). The human ear does does not respond equally to all frequencies (it peaks at about 3kHz which corresponds to a baby crying). To allow for this non linearity, sound level has been 'A-Law' weighted to approximately match the response of the human ear. Typical uses for this channel include:

monitoring ambient noise levels in the class room (do they increase when the teacher is absent?)

monitoring traffic noise

showing how sound level decays with distance

recording the 'dawn chorus'

Unlike many data loggers, DrDAQ can take readings very quickly (up to 15,000 per second). This means that it is capable of displaying sound waveforms both in the time domain (oscilloscope view) and in the frequency domain (audio spectrum analyzer view). The waveform below shows the response to someone whistling at 1kHz.