Hi there,
What can I say about these acoustic recorders?
They're from Wildlife Acoustics and Titley, so you can rely on the quality and the results.
Of the Wildlife Acoustics models, the SM4 will produce the best results, but the Mini isn't far behind (though with only one channel as standard - optional second microphone is available). The Micro is a smaller and more affordable option for those who don't need deployments longer than 150 hours.
Titley's Chorus is a tough little recorder that comes with one acoustic microphone, but you can add an additional acoustic microphone or an ultrasonic microphone to record bats at night and birds/frogs during the day. Recording for up to 40 nights full spectrum ultrasonic or 300 hours of acoustic recording, and with built-in GPS so you can use it for transects.
I want you to be 100% happy with your purchase so call me on 0333 9000 927 for advice.
Warm Regards,
Martin.
Recording Technology: 16-bit PCM .wav files
Channels: 1 built-in
Sample Rates: The recorder supports the following sample rates in samples per second: 8000, 12000, 16000, 22050, 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000, 96000
Built-in Microphone
Directional Characteristic: Omni-Directional
Sensitivity: -10.0 ±4 (0 dB=fs/Pa@1kHz)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 70 dB Typ. at 1kHz (1 Pa, A weighted)
Max Input Sound Level: 104 dB SPL Typ.
Power Options: 3 AA Alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries
Run-Time: 150 hours (typical at 24kHz) with 3 AA Alkaline batteries
Storage: 1 micro SDHC/SDXC flash card slot
Dimensions: Height: 4.0" / 101 mm; Width: 2.9" / 74 mm; Depth:1.1" / 28 mm
Weight: Without batteries: 0.16 lb / 73g; With batteries: 0.43 lb / 195g
Enclosure Material: Polycarbonate
Enclosure Environmental Protection: Weatherproof, but requires adding desiccant for each deployment to prevent condensation.
Warranty: 1 year (2 years if bought from me)
The smallest, lightest and most affordable wildlife audio recorder from Wildlife Acoustics, the new Song Meter Micro gives scientists a simple, yet innovative, tool for recording birds, frogs and other vocal wildlife.
From conducting species inventory and presence/absence surveys to detecting endangered species and monitoring habitat health, the Song Meter Micro captures quality recordings at a breakthrough price.
Recording Technology: 16-bit PCM .wav files
Channels: 1 built-in (2 with optional second microphone)
Recording Bandwith: 20Hz – 48kHz
Sample Rates: The recorder supports the following sample rates in samples per second on one or two channels: 8000, 12000, 16000, 22050, 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000, 96000
Built-in Microphone
Directional Characteristic: Omni-Directional
Sensitivity: -11.0 ±4 dBfs/pa @ 1kHz, 0dB gain
Signal to Noise Ratio: 80 dB Typ. at 1kHz (1 Pa, A weighted network)
Max Input Sound Level: 105 dB SPL Typ.
Power Options: 4 AA Alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries; 2, 4 or 6 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries using optional lithium lid accessory
Run-Time: 4 AA Alkaline: up to 240 hours; 6 18650 Li-ion batteries: up to 1,200 hours. NOTE: Run times can vary depending on the characteristics of specific brands and models of flash cards, the kind and quality of batteries used, temperature and configuration. We recommend SanDisk brand SDHC/SDXC cards.
Storage: 1 SDHC/SDXC flash card slots (Class 4 or greater). *Supports up to 1TB SDXC cards (will support 2TB SDXC if/when available). *We recommend using SanDisk SDHC/SDXC cards. You can buy them from us.
Dimensions: Height: 4.9" / 123 mm; Width: 6.6" / 168 mm; Depth:1.4" / 36 mm
Weight: Without batteries: 0.42 lb / 190g; With 4 AA batteries: 0.64 lb / 290g
Enclosure Material: Polycarbonate
Enclosure Environmental Protection: Fully weatherproof
Operating Temperature: -4°F to +185°F or -20°C to 85°C
Warranty: 2 years (3 years if bought from me)
The Song Meter Mini gives scientists a simple, yet innovative, tool for recording birds, frogs and other vocal wildlife.
From conducting species inventory and presence/absence surveys to detecting endangered species and monitoring habitat health, the Song Meter Mini captures quality recordings at a breakthrough price.
Recording Format
Two-channel, 16-bit PCM .wav files or compressed .w4v files
Sample Rates
The recorder supports the following sample rates in samples per second on one or two channels: 8000, 12000, 16000, 22050, 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000, 96000
Built-in Microphones (2)
Directional Characteristic: Omni-Directional
Sensitivity: -35 ±4 dB (0 dB=1V/pa@1kHz)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 80 dB Typ. at 1kHz (1 Pa, A weighted network)
Max Input Sound Level: 126 dB SPL Typ.
Run-Time
510 hours (typical at 24kHz stereo) with 4 D-cell Alkaline or 310 hours with NiHM batteries
Power Options
Internal power using 4 D-size alkaline or rechargeable NiHM batteries
External power via optional SM3/SM4 Power Cable
Storage
2 SDHC/SDXC flash card slots (Class 4 or greater)
*More than 1 terabyte total capacity using 2 512GB SDXC cards
Compression is available to further increase storage capacity
*We recommend using SanDisk SDHC/SDXC cards. You can buy them from our store.
Dimensions
Height:8.6" / 218 mm
Width:7.32" / 186 mm
Depth:3.1" / 78 mm
Enclosure Material
Polycarbonate
Enclosure Environmental Protection
Fully weatherproof with integrated humidity control
Operating Temperature
-4°F to +185°F or -20°C to 85°C
Warranty
3 years - 4 years if bought from me!
The Song Meter SM4 gives scientists a simple, yet innovative, tool for recording birds, frogs and other vocal wildlife over long periods.
From conducting species inventory and presence/absence surveys to detecting endangered species and monitoring habitat health, the Song Meter SM4 captures quality recordings during long deployments.
File Output: Full spectrum (.wav), zero crossing (.zc) and GPS track (.gpx)
Channels: Mono/Stereo acoustic, or mono ultrasonic
Sample Rates: 500, 320, 192, 96, 48, 44.1, 32, 22.05 ksps
Microphones
Directional Characteristic: Omni-Directional
Acoustic: Included (additional mic optional)
Ultrasonic: Optional
Power Options: 4 AA Alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries
Run-Time: Up to 40 nights* ultrasonic, up to 300 hours acoustic
Storage: 1 x SDHC/SDXC memory card (up to 1TB)
GPS: Built-in, daily GPS fixes, transect mode
Dimensions: Height: 7.3" / 194 mm; Width: 4.8" / 123 mm; Depth: 2" / 50 mm
Weight: Without batteries: 400g
Audio Output: Frequency division (ultrasonic) and stereo reproduction (acoustic) through headphones
Software: Free to download Anabat Insight
Optional Accessories: Ultrasonic microphone, additional acoustic microphone, lockable security box, flexible-gooseneck microphone extender
Operating Temperature: -4°F to +185°F or -20°C to 85°C
Warranty: Detector: 2 years (3 years from me); Microphones: 1 year
*Battery life estimations based on 10% bat activity at 25°C and 10 hour nights using 4 (Alkaline) AA batteries
Recorders to be left out on site and producing full spectrum files.
Hand-held recorders that can record full spectrum files and most of them log GPS co-ordinates.
Hand-held recorders that can record birds, frogs and other audible species. Some also record bats.
Comment from a client:
"My bat detector microphone failed during a dawn survey and knew that I had a group of dusk surveys starting in two days time. I was not in a good place as I did not have a spare, but my equipment was less than a year old.
After my survey I contacted Martin by email and he called me back on the same day, a few hours later, after a quick nap. He told me he did not have a part in stock, but had already contacted the supplier on my behalf.
The next day I received a replacement part, free of charge and express delivered from Switzerland. I thought it was amazing, and could not believe it was resolved so quickly.
Due to Martin's exceptional service I was good to go with the surveys, and I really would like to thank Martin and Wildlife Countryside Services for making the dusk surveys happen."
David Kent
© 2015 Bat Detectors UK, part of Wildlife & Countryside Services