Overview
As of early 2026, a global memory chip shortage is expected to affect the availability and cost of SD and microSD cards. With the primary survey season approaching for many of our customers, we want to provide some advice to help you ensure you have the SD cards you need for your Song Meters.
Avoid Counterfeit SD Cards
Counterfeit cards, falsely labeled as well-known brands, can be found on large online marketplaces, particularly those that aggregate multiple sellers. Counterfeit cards may falsely advertise a larger capacity than they actually have, and they may cause performance issues and data loss.
To avoid counterfeit SD cards, we recommend purchasing your cards from a reliable source, such as Wildlife Acoustics resellers or reputable electronics retailers.
If you purchase SD cards through an e-commerce platform that hosts many different sellers, carefully check the individual seller before ordering. If possible, look for listings sold by the manufacturer themselves.
We generally recommend SanDisk SD cards, but cards from other well-known brands, such as Kingston and PNY, are also suitable.
Estimate Your Storage Capacity Needs
Some analysts expect the memory shortage to have the greatest impact on high-capacity SD and microSD cards, while lower-capacity cards may be easier to find. We recommend some basic estimation to determine if you need to prioritize buying high-capacity cards.
The table below shows how much card space is required for one hour of recorded, uncompressed audio with several common settings combinations.
| Channel Count and Sample Rate | Card Usage |
|---|---|
| 1 channel, 24 kHz | 0.17 GB/hour |
| 2 channels, 24 kHz | 0.35 GB/hour |
| 1 channel, 256 kHz | 1.84 GB/hour recorded1 |
| 2 channels, 256 kHz | 3.69 GB/hour recorded1 |
To get a more detailed estimation that accounts for your exact schedule and setting, use the free Configurator software for your Song Meter.
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W4V Compression
The SM4 family and forthcoming SM5 family can optionally record full-spectrum audio in the compressed .w4v format. This format reduces file size by 50–75%, depending on the degree of compression. W4V compression raises the minimum level of background noise in your recordings, but at mild compression settings and in typical recording environments, this effect is often indiscernible under the ambient noise of the recorder's surroundings.
Depending on the recorder model and sample rate, using W4V compression may increase or decrease your battery life. We recommend using your Song Meter's configurator software to estimate the effects of W4V compression on deployment length. We also recommend applying W4V compression to example recordings using Kaleidoscope Lite in order to test for changes in audio quality.
SD Card Performance Requirements
Unlike video cameras or game consoles, Song Meters gain no benefit from the newest, fastest SD cards. The only important performance specification is the SD card’s Speed Class.
Speed classes are indicated by a number inside a “C”, a number inside a “U”, or number next to a “V”. “C” speed classes are older and slower than “U” and “V” speed classes. The minimum speed class for any Song Meter is C4. A card marked with C4, C6, C10, or any “U” or “V” speed class is fast enough to use with any Song Meter.SDHC and SDXC Compatibility
SDHC cards have capacities between 4 and 32 GB. SDXC cards have capacities between 64 GB and 2 TB.
Most Song Meters are compatible with both SDHC and SDXC cards. There are only two exceptions:Song Meter SM2 Family (Discontinued)
The Song Meter SM2(+) and SM2BAT(+) were released before SDXC cards were available. Using SDXC cards with these models can lead to audio issues and is not recommended. For best performance, use SDHC cards with these models.
Song Meter SM5BAT
If you plan on using the forthcoming SM5BAT to record ultrasound on two channels, or if you plan on recording ultrasound and audible sound simultaneously, we recommend using SDXC cards only. Technical limitations on SDHC cards can lead to dropped audio in these more demanding use cases.
If you plan to record only a single ultrasonic channel or only audible sound on the SM5BAT at a given time, you may use SDHC or SDXC cards. Likewise, the Song Meter SM5 can only record audible sound and can use either SDHC or SDXC cards.
If In Doubt, Test Your Cards
SD cards can maintain their performance for a long time. Particularly with the expected card shortages, continuing to use older cards can be the right decision. However, it is a good idea to run a test deployment before the busy season arrives.
Particularly if your cards are more than a few years old, and particularly if you are planning a long or high-stakes deployment, it is a very good idea to run a test deployment and review your data for any signs of SD card failure, such as corrupted or missing recordings. A test deployment also allows you to double-check your settings, schedule, and the health of all your equipment.