programs to measure spl?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=114543
Printed Date: July 02, 2025 at 11:54 PM

Topic: programs to measure spl?

Posted By: whitemike0110
Subject: programs to measure spl?
Date Posted: June 18, 2009 at 2:41 PM

Is there any programs or software online i can get for free to measure Decibels or somthing, i have a microphone that i can hook up to my computer but i wanna see what my system is hitting.
Thanks

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Hello.

Replies:

Posted By: wolfox
Date Posted: June 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM

Google up a copy of Spectrogram 16. It will perform SPL checks once you calibrate the software, and it is free. I use it to tune up installs/set crossovers, etc. when cabin gain is a concern. It also has the added benefit of being a whoop-tail-offa-donkey easy to use spectrographic analyzer with different real-time plot abilities and record to disc capabilities. Key it up on a laptop and plug in your mic on a stand poking in through a window to avoid vibrations caused by mechanical contact.

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Life is too short to build slow computers or weak audio!

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 18, 2009 at 7:23 PM

You will be limited to the capability of the microphone you use, of course. What are you trying to measure?

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Posted By: whitemike0110
Date Posted: June 18, 2009 at 8:36 PM

I'm not trying to measure anything for a serious matter, i thought it would be cool if i could roughly see how many db's my system was hitting.
Just for fun

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Hello.

Posted By: tommy...
Date Posted: June 20, 2009 at 8:37 AM

Im sure theres a local shop that could assist you...Or head to a show and register the car... I dont know how accurate the mic you have will be...But a show is usually 15-25 buck-a-roo's!

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M.E.C.P & First-Class
Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!

Posted By: tommy...
Date Posted: June 20, 2009 at 8:40 AM

Wolfox, what kind of mic do you use in your application?? How Accurate is it...?

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M.E.C.P & First-Class
Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!

Posted By: wolfox
Date Posted: June 22, 2009 at 9:36 PM

Sennheiser Evolution Series E-855. It's a dynamic, super cardioid capsule in a near bulletproof surround and body. I used it for many years in digital recording - sound quality (though I know there will be argument on that point) is on par with Scheuman(sp?) studio phantom powered jobs.

I *never* managed to bottom it out, once even taking a recording with it right at the exhaust on a hot-rodded truck to make one of those fake "Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAAAAAY!" motocross ads for my now defunct radio network. The mic is designed with excessive sound pressures in mind, yet manages a superb clarity and crispness that made it SPOT on for my recording needs in and out of the studio.

Doing in cabin SPL and petrographical analysis with it is NOT going to harm it in the least. You may read the corporate psychobabble here:

Sennheiser USA - Evolution e-855

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Life is too short to build slow computers or weak audio!