How to exactly define listening level in dB?

[Ciaccona]

Hi, thought this would be the best part of the forum to ask.

Probably a stupid question for you guys.

I've heard a lot of engineers talking about their monitoring at 80 dB or 40 dB etc., I think I listen at low levels but how can I actually measure this?

thanks in advance for your help, I'm loving this forum.

[Lagerfeldt]

Get one of these

Digital-Display Sound-Level Meter - RadioShack.com

[djwaudio]

This may help get you started.
http://www.aes.org/technical/documen...s.cfm?docID=65

Keep in mind there are different types of deciBels, so your monitoring may involve some of the below when checking your levels:

Acoustical pressure is measured in dB SPL (sound pressure level, gets it's reference from the threshold of hearing)

Analog gear usually specs in dBV or dBu (voltage reference, 0 and .775 volts respectively)

Digital is dBFS (full scale reference)

Power amps typically use dBW (level tied to Watts)

There are more that have some specific voltage nuance that escapes me, like the difference between dBV and dBv... Oh yes and dBM... but there are too many cob webs in my head to go there. Any good recording book will have a chapter on this.

...good question.

[Ciaccona]

thanks for your help!

yes, I've read loads of recording (also technical) literature and am aware of the different dBs but I've yet to find concrete advice how to practically measure the dB SPL.

thinking about it it may be that I could borrow one of these meters from one of my buddies.

do you think that most people talking about their monitoring level in dBs are actually just guessing (out of experience) it approximately?

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by Ciaccona

thanks for your help!

yes, I've read loads of recording (also technical) literature and am aware of the different dBs but I've yet to find concrete advice how to practically measure the dB SPL.

thinking about it it may be that I could borrow one of these meters from one of my buddies.

do you think that most people talking about their monitoring level in dBs are actually just guessing (out of experience) it approximately?

fwiw - I've got the exact same meter that Lagerfeldt linked to sitting on my desk. It doesn't get turned on all that often now that I generally know what meter readings at what monitor controller setting gives what loudness - but it really helps to have one when setting up and learning a room - or to make sure that you are making critical eq decisions at the approximately same consistent listening volume.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Ciaccona]

the one both of you mention is at 100 Euros here

I've found one for about 20

its got:

40 - 130 dB (A) (31,5 Hz - 8 kHz)

it also says it's got + - 3,5 dB at 1kHz and 94 dB. Does that mean it is even less precise at higher and lower levels than that?

BS15 Schallpegel-Messgerät

(German store, sorry...)

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Originally Posted by Ciaccona

the one both of you mention is at 100 Euros here

I've found one for about 20

its got:

40 - 130 dB (A) (31,5 Hz - 8 kHz)

it also says it's got + - 3,5 dB at 1kHz and 94 dB. Does that mean it is even less precise at higher and lower levels than that?

BS15 Schallpegel-Messgerät

(German store, sorry...)

Here is the English version BS15 sound level meter

It should work fine. If not return it. You want to playback some pink noise on your DAW at -20dBFS and set your monitor volume control so that the meter reads approximately 83 dBSPL. This should calibrate your system. If you want to read more and down load a very good pink noise file go to DIGIDO.COM and read what Bob Katz has to say about the whole process. You can also read about the "K-System"

Best of luck!