Sound Meter 1.3.0: Octave Spectrum, A/C/Z Weighting, CSV Export

What's changed

Say the upstairs neighbor is loud every evening, and you want numbers you can show the building office instead of "it's really loud." Sound Meter - Decibel 1.3.0 for Android is built around that kind of task. Here is what the release notes list:

• 1/1-octave spectrum with peak hold: you can see which frequency band is loud, not just one overall number.
• A / C / Z and Fast / Slow weighting: the main reading follows the weighting you pick (dBA / dBC / dBZ), so it is easier to match the kind of noise you are checking.
• True RMS level: the meter now calculates the level from the actual microphone input, which makes the reading more accurate.
• L10 / L50 / L90 and Leq on records: each saved session carries statistics that describe the noise over time, not only a single peak.
• Search, sort and CSV export for records: you can find a past measurement faster and take the data out of the app, for example to attach to a complaint.
• Material 3 redesign with tablet and landscape layouts: the screens are laid out for larger and wider displays too.

What kind of app this is

Sound Meter - Decibel uses your phone's microphone to measure ambient noise in real time, records it, and shows how long a given exposure is considered acceptable.

Main features

• Real-time measurement with a circular gauge, a live chart, and min / max / average values.
• 1/1-octave live spectrum with peak hold.
• Sessions saved together with a WAV recording, plus L10 / L50 / L90 and Leq for each record.
• Noise exposure card based on the NIOSH recommendation (85 dBA for 8 hours), showing the permitted exposure time.
• Per-device calibration, custom warning thresholds, and 18 UI languages.

Update now

A suggested way to use it: measure at the time the noise usually happens, then open the saved record and check Leq and L10 / L50 / L90. Export the history as CSV if you need to hand it to someone. The same flow suits people who want to check hearing exposure at a venue or workplace, or who want to look at the noise level of their sleeping space. Phone microphones differ, so check the calibration setting in the app before you rely on the numbers. The app is free with a banner ad, and a one-time purchase removes ads.

Open the app details on the blog for the installation links and update to 1.3.0.