(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best sound measurement tools

I'm 35 - pro mastering engineer, and a tinnitus sufferer. I know this might seem impossible, but in time you will adjust and it will go away. A couple things I wish I had told myself at 21.

1. Buy ear plugs and put them in your car, jacket pocket, pants, back pack. I like the Hearos Extreme ones. Wear them whenever you're in ANY sort of loud environment.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Hearos-Xtreme-Protection-Plugs-14-Pair/dp/B00M0P6FX4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519348869&sr=8-6&keywords=hearos+extreme+protection
   
   
2. Buy these, or something like them, and wear them (instead of the earplugs) if you're doing anything around the house that might be loud. Mowing the lawn, building something, even vaccuming.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AFOJ3HG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   
3. This is HUGE. Buy an SPL meter (I'll link to a cheap one below) set it up at your listening position and adjust your listening level so that it doesn't go above 85dba during the loudest passages of mastered tracks. Don't use youtube, spotify, or any other loudness normalized playback medium to do this. Buy a song off itunes (that isn't labeled 'mastered for itunes') or better yet - play back a CD.
   
   Mark that volume level on on your level control and NEVER go above it. 85 dba SPL is safe for 8 hours a day - anything more than that, or longer and you could potentially cause permanent damage. If your ears feel stuffed or tired it's because you're listening too long, too loud, or both.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EZZ8B5Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   I understand that you may be recording or mixing material that is lower than mastered material and will sound quiet at the 85db setting you'll have marked off. In that case, make a second mark on your volume control that corresponds to 85db at mix level, or better yet - keep the SPL meter in front of you. This serves a dual purpose, as it doesn't only protect your ears, but it helps you hear constantly. Your sensitivity to different frequencies chances (quite a bit) with listening level. So establishing a (safe) standard will allow you to mix faster, better, and much more confidently.
   
   Typed that pretty fast while working, so sorry for any typos.
   
   Good luck!
   
   edit: for some reason all my points are coming up as #1 ... odd.
   

I posted a similar question a few days ago and got good recommendations a lot of which were more advanced than what I was looking to get to start learning the basics. One simple spl meter that was recommended was RISEPRO Decibel Meter, Digital Sound Level Meter 30 – 130 dB Audio Noise Measure Device Dual Ranges HT-80A https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EZZ8B5Q It arrived over the weekend and it actually helped with blending my desktop speakers with a new sub more than I thought it would. I'm sure someday I'll eventually upgrade to something that integrates with software but for now I'm learning fine with this. I got it for $22.

That's a solid recommendation. How did you go about setting the levels of your sub vs your monitors?

Edit: Something Like This?

This is the one I have. It’s a bit pricier but is an absolute tank with quite a massive feature set.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2RLJ32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6EI3Cb1XR9R8X

All you really need is cheap SPL Meter

Amazon Link

I use one of these at my listening position:
https://smile.amazon.com/Galaxy-Audio-CM130-Sound-Pressure/dp/B0002GWFG4/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=decimeter&qid=1550436912&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1

I set it to "slow" and "c weighted". It's centered, pointing straight forward, at my listening height and distance (about 30" away from the monitors). The room is partially treated and 11ft x 14ft.

I start with -20dB of pink noise in my daw (with DAW master at 0.0dB) and the monitor volume knob at 12 o'clock. I then turn my interface up to get to 60dB. I then check the level of each speaker until they are identical and still 60dB in stereo. So I guess maybe I'm actually calibrating to 80dB? Can't remember if the 80dB standard incorporates the -20dB pink noise part. I got this all from a book ages ago.

Then after that I calibrate using Sonarworks. Then I calibrate again to 50dB and call it good, unless my sub needs to be adjusted. Then I turn that up or down and recalibrate for optimum low end accuracy and extension. But my initial 60dB is done without the sub (which is low passed to 80Hz).

The reason I start at 60dB is to maintain enough headroom for Sonarworks calibration. It requires a fairly low noise floor and my monitors at 50dB just didn't cut it. The calibration tones need to be somewhat loud for the process to be accurate.

No. No app will tell you true SPL. Get a meter. https://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-Audio-CM130-Sound-Pressure/dp/B0002GWFG4

Hello! You should not worry about your volume levels within reasonable hours. I play in bands and studios and have not often had any problems. I'm also a professional audio engineer. Try to be very reasonable with your neighbor until it is obvious they are manipulating you and not able to be pleased. I very seriously doubt you could ever reasonably get ticketed. Consider getting a cheap DB meter to if you need hard data to back up where your music is. Hearing music outside of your house is really no big deal. It's still your land. If it's disturbingly loud outside where your property is, then you may have a problem. Measure decibels from your property line.

​

Sound damping may help some. The biggest benefit of sound dampening your basement is that your music will sound better. Look at rugs/some wall treatment or curtains. And then do some cheap corner bass traps. Bass traps being the most important because of the length of the sound waves. Bass is much harder to dampen because it requires a deeper dampening device to be done well.

​

https://www.amazon.com/RISEPRO-Decibel-Meter-Digital-Sound/dp/B01EZZ8B5Q/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=decibel+meter&qid=1574642863&sr=8-4

It's still very possible to get hearing damage and build up pain even if the immediate volume isn't painful. It sounds like you need to reduce your volume a lot.
I recommend getting a cheap decibel meter and closing your headphones around it. If it measures anything higher than 80-85, you're being unsafe.

>I don't know what that means.
>I know what the disease is.

Well then maybe you should specify what you are talking about, so you don't use pronouns, so someone outside your head can tell what you're talking about.

>I know what the disease is. Dogs don't get diagnosed with alzheimer's you walnut.

Don't call me a walnut when you are the one who has the understanding problem. Just because a dog can't be diagnosed with alzheimer's doesn't mean. It is immune to the disease. There's only 1% difference between your dna and the dogs dna. You have all the same organs, the brain works the same way. If a dog is coming close to dying of old age it will probably also develop alzheimer's. All living things on the planet with similar anatomy will too. Also it actually might be possible that a vet might be able to diagnose a dog with alzheimer's after all.

https://www.thespruce.com/dementia-in-dogs-1117412

Welp looks like it's dementia.

>Literally no one else in the country has a law about the volume of a dog bark.

1. you don't know that. Laws can change county to county, so unless you've been to every single county, you can't actually make that claim.
   
   
2. just because everyone is doing something doesn't make it right. For example everyone in america is killing themselves with carbs. Well it must be right cuz everyone is doing it.
   
   And everyone in the 70s used asbestos for everything. Welp everyone is doing it, must make it good and correct! good job!. Walnut.
   
   >Can you imagine the inspector for that job?
   
   
3. find the address that recieved the complaint.
   
   
4. put feet up against fence
   
   
5. take three steps back
   
   
6. take out the noise measuring tool.
   
   
7. press button on tool.
   
   
8. see what the peak decibel is.
   
   
9. issue a fix it ticket, or walk away and do nothing based on the reading.
   
   Holey moley! where are we going to find the einstains to do this job?! It's way too difficult! we haven't got the capable individuals that can keep up with these rigorous instructions! We better give up, it's impossible I say! it's just too damn hard!
   
   >The cost to regulate that would be enormous.
   
   Yeah, it would just be too expensive to have three employees per state saving people's lives by fining people that are creating noise. Oh wait, the fines can pay their salaries. Ignore that, this is too damn difficult, it's impossible I say!.
   
   >random dogs with a microphone
   
   I think you need to explore life more, and then you'd know about things like this
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EZZ8B5Q/
   
   being in existence that are used in general purpose. Too bad you don't get out more often huh. But these things are great for measuring everything. You can use this too prove that the neighbors are too loud, or people use them at construction places to check if ear protection is needed.
   
   >If you get scared enough by a dog bark to crash, you're jumpy.
   
   Yes, let's make factual statements about things that we don't know about for things that we weren't there for. Great idea! And like the other five great idea makers before, If there is a 100 db noise, from four feet away, and there is zero warning for the noise, any human will flinch. The repercussions of that flinch is entirely circumstantial. I'd like to invite you to have a megaphone strapped to your back that would be wired to go off randomly, and we can see how unjumpy you really are.

I am running a 3.2 setup. Post calibration they were set to -1.5 for L/R and -3.5 for center, and -11.5 for each sub. I just happened to pull out the SPL meter to check things out, and noticed all levels read low (considering I've read 75dB is what they are supposed to be set to ).

This is what I am using:

Galaxy Audio CM130 Sound Pressure Level Meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002GWFG4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

get a logging noise meter. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S0I60A?psc=1 This was you have proof of actual levels at your property line. If the cops get involved it will make you look super pro and hopefully the neighbor will look dumb and get future complaints ignored. Cops don't like showing up/getting involved with petty shit. Data doesn't lie.

The co-op and the city both have noise ordinances. If the co-op doesn't. Her claims mean nothing. Go to the board and ask for the noise ordinances, also check your rules guide book. Also find the city noise ordinance.

Buy a noise meter. You can leave it in a USB charger.

Then if your asshole neighbor complains again. Just check your levels on your computer, print it out, and hand it to the Co-op board and claim you are being harassed by your neighbor. And suggest you will go to the police if the harassment continues.

Excessive noise, if it really is excessive, is more of a civil matter than a criminal one. As such, your best bet is to take them to small claims court. It's cheap to do so, but I highly doubt the police or the city will do anything about it. Be sure to keep a record of any and all complaints you are making, as it will show that this has been ongoing and that you've tried to remedy it.

You may have to set up a decibel meter to help prove your case. Judges don't like to take things at people's word. If you have something that can objectively state how much noise is being generated (ie a graph of time vs. noise level) then they are much more likely to take you seriously.

Also be aware that that sound meter, and others, will have a low frequency cut-off around 31 Hz. If the noise is low frequency bass coming through the walls, a sound meter might not pick it up. For reference, the lowest note a bass guitar can produce is 42 Hz.

http://www.courts.state.va.us/resources/small_claims_court_procedures.pdf

sure, loudness of any kind is measured in decibels. you can buy a decibel meter, and look up the noise ordinance for your community or city, then measure the decibels in your yard or house to see if your neighbors are violating the law. you might be able to sue them if that's the case (using recordings from your decibel meter as evidence), especially if the police can't seem to fix the problem, but i'm no lawyer.

you can also use the decibel meter to measure the loudness of your own siren. if they're not breaking the law with their music (just being inconsiderate and annoying) and you have the headroom to add a siren on top of whatever they're playing without breaking the law, then use the decibel meter to see if the siren and music are both lawful together. if so, you will at least have your CYA in order should the police show up.

you might annoy your other neighbors though, and i do like the idea of enlisting their help in fighting the noise menace next door. and getting into a war with the next door neighbor could be dangerous, if you don't know what kind of people you're living next to. just something to keep in mind.

Very timely. I've been complaining to every "authority" I can find about these jackasses for a while. Honestly these jobs (apartment manager, property manager, security manager, police chief) operate on the principle of "squeaky wheel" escalations as much as any other job, so the more you can complain, the better. It's a particularly terrible infringement if you have autism or PTSD.

I've spoken with McLean PD about it and this is a very transient crime, so if the officer is not on site to note the violation, he can't just dispatch to drive over and hunt the guy--I mean they sometimes do, but it's inefficient because sometimes these people just stop in to bang their shitty small-dick-mobiles off the walls of the buildings, and then these thin-penised men leave.

I've already shouted at these guys a few times (I'm usually indoors) and my gf confronted one recently and he about damn near had a meltdown at the idea that he was doing anything wrong. I can't fathom that there are people so stupid around here that they believe that drowning out people's conversations and scaring their kids is "doing nothing wrong."

Here is a short list of potential places you can complain:

• McLean PD
  
• Senator Saslaw
  
• Virginia Senate District 35
  
• Edens Management
  
• Fairfax County Zoning and Noise
  
  Other Links:
  
  [Fairfax County Noise Ordinance] (https://library.municode.com/va/fairfax_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=THCOCOFAVI1976_CH108.1NOOR)
  
  [Section 108.1-4-2. - Sound generation] (https://i.imgur.com/hUCkUCj.png) Specifically addresses and states that it is unlawful to produce continuous sound in excess of 65dB or impulse sound in excess of 100 dB in a mixed use area, and [every single one of these sports cars] (https://www.supercars.net/forum/threads/supercar-noise-level.96526/) exceeds the continuous decibel limits defined by FFX CO, making these vehicles effectively ILLEGAL in mixed use areas, but the enforcement is lacking.
  
  As a citizen, if you are walking near these machines often (I am not) think about purchasing an [SPL meter] (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2RLJ32/) and recording the measurement, and include the car tag in the video, and then send it off or tweet it at McLean PD. These meters are not particularly hard to operate, are kind of fun, and are cheap.
  
  Also we want to remember this is hard for the cops, without tech, because it's wack-a-mole. In some places, police and admins are testing out [ACOUSTIC CAMERA TECH] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_camera#Applications) both of the mobile variety (like LIDAR with mics) and also stationary. In the UK some red light cameras are being retrofitted to include acoustic cameras. The sooner this can happen the better because fartbutt engines seem to be really trending among the asshole community.
  
  And in terms of specific CALL outs, [this douchebag] (https://i.imgur.com/L27vvXP.jpg) is a repeat offender over several months, it's not just revving, this car hums along at a level that exceeds allowable levels for mixed use communities, by DEFAULT. It belongs only on highways, NOT in a mixed use neighborhood, ever. Impress women the old fashioned way, by not being a douchebag.
  
  And if you're one of these guys reading this--women think you're a pathetic turd, not a cool man. Sorry.