SPL Meters

SPL meters help in measuring frequency weighted sound pressure levels in dB-SPL. DB is the unit for measuring sound pressure level. These are handheld devices and work very simply – all you have to do is literally point and measure, by holding at arms’ length so that you can minimize body effects on the measurements. Some people prefer to use a tripod to keep it steady. Setting front of house with SPL meter is possible. Front of house are the components related to a PA that are pointed to the audience.

There are two kinds of SPL dB meters – analog and digital. Experts prefer analog meters, as they are considered easier to use. The Radio Shack SPL Meter is a much-recommended device for its ease of operation and affordability at around $60. Usually, precision instruments tend to be quite expensive and difficult to get, making them out of reach for amateur users.

The Radio Shack SPL meter is a digital model, which is a handheld, lightweight, portable and accurate. This SPL meter can measure sound pressure level generated by any musical instrument via its built in microphone. The sensitivity range can be adjusted in the range of 50 to 126dB. This meter has a three-digit display to view the average and peak sound pressure level. A 21-bar analog bar graph visually represents the sound measured. You can measure the integrated averaging over a length of time. You can select a slow or fast bar graph response.

Radio Shack SPL meters can be tripod mounted easily. The analog line output for mic allows you to connect it to a stereo system or a personal computer. You can choose between weighted A and C measurements. A weighting is your own response, which reduces the SPL frequency response to the 500 - 10,000 Hz range where our ears are sensitive. The B weighting can measure the entire range from32 to 10000 Hz. If you want to measure HiFi, the C-weighting is suitable since its range is wider.

For sound engineering using SPL meter, we need to understand how the SPL meter operates. To operate the SPL meter you just have to select the operative range, the C weighting, set the peak hold function and response. Then you point the SPL meter to the equipment whose sound pressure level you want to measure where your exactly listening position is. This will let you know the real sound pressure.