SPL Measurement

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Sound as good as you play
Member Since: Dec 23, 2008

For some time, I've been curious to know what the SPLs are during shows, whether it's me or someone else doing reinforcement. I'd like these young vocalists understand that they'll never be heard if the rest of the band is pushing 120 dBs with no help from the PA.

I don't have the cash, time, experience, or education to use an advanced RTA. However, I've seen several people recommend the $50 meter from Radio Shack.

Here's the manual:

www.radioshack.com/graphi...02055_PM_EN.pdf

Any thoughts on whether I would find this useful as a learning/teaching tool?

Based on the manual, could anyone recommend different settings for different situations I might encounter?

Thanks.

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MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008

Jan 06, 2010 03:03 pm

I use the RadShack unit often. C/Slow is the setting you're looking for 90% of the time.

(EDIT)

I've never read the manual... That thing has a few tricks up its sleeve that I should look up...

Sound as good as you play
Member
Since: Dec 23, 2008

Jan 06, 2010 03:48 pm

It's those few extra tricks that always get me in trouble.

C/Slow sounds like my speed.

Thanks.


The Czar of BS
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2007

Jan 06, 2010 08:16 pm

Yup! I think that the Radio Shack meter has been the standard for at least 20 years or so.

Just to give a little insight on the Weighting.

A weighting is for looking at your top boxes. As it is attenuated on the low end. It starts a -6 dB per octave slope @ 100hz.

C weighting is what the human ear hears. It has a -6 dB slope on the top end starting around 6k, and another slope on the low end starting around 40hz.

X weighting is just flat.

Slow speed is looking at the peaks of the music.
Fast speed is looking at the whole of the music.

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