signal processing - How can I calculate audio dB level? ... https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2445756/how-can-i...

The short answer is: you cannot do sound level measurements with your laptop, nor with
your cellphone, etc., for all the reasons outlined previously, plus the fact your cellphone,
1 laptop, etc. use compression algorithms to assure that everything recorded is within the
hardware capability. So, if for example you measure a sound then run it through signal
processing software such as Head Artemis or LMS Test.Lab, the indicated sound pressure
level will always be in the neighborhood of 80 dB(A) regardless of the true level. I can say
this from having used cellphone or laptop audio to get an idea of a noise frequency
spectrum, while taking level measurements using a calibrated sound level meter.
Interestingly, Radio Shack used to sell a microphone intended for speech input while
videoconferencing that had very flat frequency response over a broad range, and only cost
about $15.

Share Improve this answer Follow answered May 17, 2018 at 15:42
Robert1911
11 1

I use a sound level calibrator. It produces 94 dB or 114dB at 1 KHz wich is a frecuency

where weighting filters share the same level. With calibrator at 114dB I adjust mic gain to
1 reach almost full scale input simply watching a sound card based virtual osciloscope. Now I
know Vref @ 114dB. I developed a simple software based SPL meter that can be provided
if needed. You can use REW too. You hace to know that PC hardware hardly reaches 60
dB of dynamic range so calibrating @114 dB it wont read less than 54dB, wich is pretty
high if you consider that sleeping is good with less than 35 dB A. In this case you can
calibrate at 94dB and then you may measure down to 34dB but again you will hit pc and
mic self noise wich may you prevent to reach such low levels. Anyway, once calibrated,
measures at 114dB and 94dB should read fine. Note: the lab standard pistonphone
calibrator operates at 250 Hz.

Share Improve this answer edited May 17, 2018 at 21:10 answered Mar 14, 2014 at 11:48
Follow Community Bot Antonio
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