Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter

This is a great tool for audio enthusiast and semi pro apps.. very useful. How about this developer... what if you had a filter for the audio enthusiast that instead of showing air plane, riveter, streets noise, etc, it showed whispering, quiet conversation, normal conversation, public speaking, quiet church music, typical church music, loud church music, Jazz, Orchestra, Country Music Concert, Rap Music, Rock Concert. Each of these have associated typical levels such as... 60~67 Quiet Conversation 67~70 Normal Conversation 70~72 Public Speaking 82~92 Quiet Church Music 92~95 Typical Church Music 95~102 Loud Church Music 115~125 Rock Concert Etc... you get the idea These are all subject to I individual styles and preferences but the ideas is to get close, some type of base line for people who really have no idea what they’re doing but they knobs anyway (and you know who you are). This is very common in church music and small clubs where speakers mics are either so soft people lose interest or so loud it’s annoying. Or when the band is so soft it ruins the mood or so loud it’s dangerous to your ears. Many churches have no idea what is appropriate sound levels or what is borderline dangerous. I think this might be very helpful.

I’ve used a couple sound meter apps over the last few years along with a commercial quality sound level meter. I would put this up there with the best of what I’ve used. This review is for the purchased, “pro” version of the software. That I can pay $4.99 and use the processing capabilities of my iPhone in leu of spending $150+ on a professional, stand-alone meter blows my mind. The level of detail shown in the various portions of the screen offer a broad range of information to the user. You get both numerical and graph output as well as dial analog output of minimum and maximum readings, duration, etc. One quibble is that when I pause the meter and reset it, it asks if I really want to, which is okay, but immediately restarts the sound reading, even if I don’t want it to. Also, I’d like for a reset to take the meter back to “0”. It restarts at the prior average. I would like to see these twin issues corrected, and I’d then give the app 5 stars.

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The app name is dB, dBA Noise Meter but what the developer doesn't tell us is that the app only reads Z-weighted decibels (dBZ) and not A-weighted decibels (dBA) in the free version. All the guidelines and standards say to measure noise levels in dB(A) as A-weighted decibels correspond to human hearing. So it's really misleading to the public who don't know any better. dB(Z) levels are typically 10 decibels or more higher than dB(A) so people are always getting the wrong readings, unless they purchase the A-weighted portion. No explanation is provided, it's truly a disservice to people who think they're getting a good reading of their noise environment. Remember, a 3 dB increase in level means double the energy that reaches the ear, so 10 dB at the ear is a huge difference. Developer should make this information available to the public. They benefit from their top ranking on the app store but forget they are spreading misinformation by not explaining to the public the difference between dBZ and dBA. I will gladly pay $10 for an app that provides readout in A-weighted decibels.

I am a full-time professional audio engineer. I have run sound for a virtual who’s who in rock ‘n’ roll R&B, blues, funk, Motown, bluegrass, and for the most part country. I am currently working for a band that are Sony recording artist. The decibel meter does exactly what it should and does it well. I have paid many times this price for DB meters in the past that We’re just as accurate but nowhere near as convenient. This one is always at arms length when I need it … i’ve been using it for a year or so and I am submitting this review just to let you guys know how convenient,easy and accurate this app is to use. JTJ

Years ago I lost my high tones from being in the music business, competitive shooting and hunting without ear protection, whch at the time was something not known to me. My daughter and wife finally got exasperated with my asking “Huh, what did you say?” So they had me go to an audiologist who determined I did have significant hearing loss of the high tones, literally crashing off the chart. Having compensated for 19 years, it was time for hearing aids. For $6,000, great improvement shown. I’m due for new aids, another $6K. So, for the past 10 years I have spoken with some 50-60 young folks who blast music in their vehicles. I put the DecibleX app on my iPhone and demonstrate that they are ranging from the 90s to over 120 decibels. They were unaware of the damage they were causing to themselves and in some instances their children. Everyone has been nice and thankful that I’ve brought this to their attention and saved them their hearing and some $$$. Let’s pass it on!!!