SmarterNoise Pro vs Spectrum Analyzer+ Audio FFT

SmarterNoise Pro is the most advanced edition of the SmarterNoise recording sound level meters. SmarterNoise Pro edition is developed especially with more advanced measurements in mind, and includes many requested features such as a frequency spectrum display, export of measurement data, A-, C- or no weighting for sound level measurement, and full screen audio mode. SmarterNoise Pro edition does not contain any advertising, and performs accurately and fast. Features: • Sound level measurement in video mode • Sound level measurement in audio mode • Sound meter snapshot camera • Record video and audio files (paid function) • Recording timer • Sound level activated audio recording • Frequency spectrum display (paid function) • Peak frequency detection • A-, C- or no frequency weighting • Export of measurement data in CSV format • Full HD (paid function), HD and VGA video resolution • Three video quality settings • Archive for saved files • Sharing of saved files • Calibration • Save location of measurement (optional) • Time and date • Continuous Leq, LAeq, LCeq value • 10 second sound level average (Leq, LAeq, LCeq) • 60 second sound level average (Leq, LAeq, LCeq) • Maximum and minimum decibel level About decibels and sound level measurement The unit for measuring sound is called a decibel. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, a sound with an intensity that is twice that of a reference sound corresponds to an increase of about 3 decibels. The reference point of 0 decibel is set at the intensity of the least perceptible sound, the threshold of hearing. On such a scale a 10-decibel sound is 10 times the intensity of the reference sound. Highlighting this is important as already a few decibels higher or lower makes a noticeable difference in how noise is perceived. The preferred method to describe sound levels that vary over time, resulting in a single decibel value measuring the total sound energy over the period, is called Leq. It is however common practice to measure sound levels using A-weighting, which attenuates lower and higher frequencies that the average person cannot hear. In this case the value is called LAeq. A- and C-weighting The A-weighting is a standard, commonly used filter that attempts to alter the measured sound pressure levels to more closely match the perception of the human ear. A-weighting makes the sound level meter less sensitive to very high (over 8000 Hz) and low frequencies (below 1000 Hz). C-weighting also attenuates low and high frequencies, but the attenuation of low frequencies is much less severe compared to A-weighting. Calibrate: Calibrate the application using the calibration tool found in the settings menu. Phones and their components vary in quality and setup so you need to calibrate the app in order for the results to be relatively comparable. One suggestion is that you close the window and door to your bedroom or bathroom, turn off appliances, and once its very quiet calibrate the app so the reading is about 30 decibel.

Spectrum Analyzer+ Audio FFT shows the live frequency spectrum of any sound your iPhone microphone hears, then lets you capture a 5-second average and read the result: the strongest frequency in Hz, the top components and where the energy sits. ▶ See the spectrum live • 32 bands from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, computed with a 2048-point FFT • Four views: Bars with peak hold, Line, Waterfall and Spectrogram • Peak frequency and peak level update as you listen • Min / Max traces in the Bars view, tap a bar for a cursor readout, freeze the display to study it • Adjustable dB range from 30 to 120 dB ▶ Capture 5 seconds, get an answer Tap Capture 5 s under the graph and hold the sound steady. The app power-averages the spectrum over five seconds and shows a result card: • Strongest component in Hz, with the musical note and cents in Voice mode • Up to three top components with their levels • Share of the detected energy in the low, mid and high part of the selected range • Strongest band level and the FFT resolution of the measurement If the sound is too quiet in that range, the card says so instead of inventing a peak. ▶ Compare before and after Save a capture as a reference (up to 10). Make a change — move a speaker, add treatment, adjust a machine — capture again in the same mode and the card shows the average band-level difference in dB. References can also be overlaid on the live spectrum. ▶ Pick the job • Voice: 80–4000 Hz, shows the note of the strongest pitch • Machine: 20–2000 Hz, looks for 50/60 Hz mains hum and its harmonics • Room: 20–500 Hz, the low end where room modes build up ▶ Export and share • Export a CSV of the live spectrum or of a 5-second capture • Share a short text summary of a capture ▶ Extras • Calibration offset from −20 to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps to line up with a reference meter • Pink noise generator, unlocked for 24 hours by watching a short ad • Interface in 30 languages ▶ Good to know Levels are relative to the microphone's full scale (dBFS). A phone microphone is not a certified sound level meter, so use the numbers to find frequencies and compare changes, not for compliance measurements. Audio is analysed in memory while you listen and is not saved as a recording. For musicians checking a tone, home studio and hi-fi owners chasing a boomy note, and anyone tracking down a hum from a fridge, fan or transformer.