Acoustic Recorders
Wildlife Acoustics' Micro, Mini & SM4
Titley's Chorus
Call Martin on 0333 9000 927 for a chat

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.

Scroll down to see them all or click the links above

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)

Song Meter Micro Acoustic Recorder

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)

Song Meter Mini Acoustic Recorder

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.

  • Comparable recording quality to the industry standard Song Meter SM4
  • Lightweight, at just 0.64 lb (290 g) including batteries
  • Just 4.9" x 6.6" x 1.4" (123 mm x 168 mm x 36 mm)
  • ​Weatherproof design suitable for any environment
  • ​Change settings and schedule wirelessly via Bluetooth on your mobile device
  • ​Automatically sends recorder status to the app via Bluetooth
  • ​Uses your mobile device to set date, time, time zone and location
  • ​Optional second microphone for stereo recordings (see above)
  • ​Record up to 240 hours scheduled over months with 4 AA batteries (or up to 1,200 hours with 6 lithium-ion batteries in optional lid)
  • ​Compatible with Kaleidoscope Pro software to quickly scan recordings to help find species of interest
  • ​Affordably priced at £525, including built-in microphone

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!

Song Meter SM4 Acoustic Recorder

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

Chorus Acoustic Recorder

The Chorus gives scientists a simple and rugged tool for recording birds, frogs and other vocal wildlife, as well as bats.

From conducting species inventory and presence/absence surveys to detecting endangered species and monitoring habitat health, the Chorus gives you everything you need to record wildlife, day and/or night (optional second microphone required).

An optional second acoustic microphone can be ordered below. Note that with an acoustic and an ultrasonic microphone you can record birds/frogs/etc as well as bats, but not at the same time. Scheduling is available, so please see the manual.

Available as the following options:

Chorus Acoustic is the Chorus with the acoustic microphone for recording audible sounds at £545 including UK delivery and VAT.

Chorus Acoustic Bundle also includes four AA lithium batteries and a 128GB SDXC card for £580 including UK delivery and VAT.

Chorus Ultrasonic is the Chorus with both the acoustic and ultrasonic microphones at £820 including UK delivery and VAT.

Chorus Ultrasonic Bundle also includes four AA lithium batteries and a 128GB SDXC card for £855 including UK delivery and VAT.

Select the type of bat/bird detector you're looking for below
Passive Bat Detectors

Recorders to be left out on site and producing full spectrum files.

Active Bat Detectors

Hand-held recorders that can record full spectrum files and most of them log GPS co-ordinates.

Acoustic Recorders

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