Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Song Meter SM5 User Guide

Core Product: SM5
Accessory

About the Song Meter SM5
Comparing the SM5 to Earlier Song Meters
Changes from the SM4 to the SM5
Changes from the Mini 1/2 to the SM5
Product Safety Information
D Battery Safety
18650 Lithium-ion Battery Safety
Safe Disposal
Quick Start: Record Birds at Dawn and Dusk
Song Meter SM5 Hardware Features
Basic Setup
SD Card Requirements and Recommendations
18650 Lithium-Ion Battery Requirements and Recommendations
Powering the SM5
Install One to Six Lithium-Ion Batteries
Install Eleven Lithium-Ion Batteries
Install D Batteries
Power the SM5 with the Wildlife Acoustics Power Kit
Power the SM5 with a Third-Party External Battery
Basic Setup Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Install the Song Meter Configurator App
Install or Update the Song Meter Configurator App on iOS
Install or Update the Song Meter Configurator App on Android
Change the Language of the Song Meter Configurator App
Check the SM5's Status over Bluetooth Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Pair the SM5 with the Song Meter Configurator App
Restore Factory Default Settings Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Format an SD Card using the Song Meter Configurator App
Update Firmware Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Configure a Single SM5 Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Create, Use, and Share Configuration Files Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Create a Configuration File in the Configurator App
Save a Recorder's Configuration to the Configuration Library
Apply a Configuration File Using the Configurator App
Send a Configuration File via Email
Estimate Battery Life and SD Card Usage Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Basic Setup Using the Built-In Interface
Navigate the Built-In Interface
Restore Factory Default Settings Using the Built-In Interface
Format an SD Card Using the Built-In Interface
Update Firmware Using the Built-In Interface
Check the Installed Firmware Version Using the Built-In Screen
Download Firmware Updates from the Wildlife Acoustics Website
Update Firmware Using the Built-In Utilities Menu
Quickly Update Firmware on Boot
Select a Preset Schedule Using the Built-In Interface
Customize a Schedule Using the Built-In Interface
Synchronize Date, Time, and Location to GPS/GLONASS Using the Built-In Interface
Manually Set Date, Time, and Location Using the Built-In Interface
Export and Import Schedule and Settings Using an SD Card and the Built-In Interface
View and Exit the Status Screens on the Built-In Display
Main Status Screen Contents
Acoustic Channels Status Screen
Begin a Recording Schedule
Using the Desktop Configurator
Install the SM5 Desktop Configurator
Install the SM5 Desktop Configurator on macOS
Install the SM5 Desktop Configurator on Windows
Install the SM5 Desktop Configurator on Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Configure the SM5 Using the Desktop Configurator
View and Copy Settings and Schedule from an Audio Recording
Estimate Energy Usage with the Desktop Configurator
Settings Reference
Acoustic Settings
Acoustic Sample Rate
Acoustic Compression
Left and Right Acoustic Gain and Preamplifier
Left and Right Acoustic High-Pass Filter
Maximum Acoustic Recording Duration
Channel Setting
Example Channel Mappings
Battery Type Setting
Time and Location Settings
Latitude and Longitude
Time Zone
GPS Sync Frequency
Recorder Name
Folder Mode
Delay Start
Activity LED
Bluetooth Beacons Setting
Display Brightness
Designing Custom Schedules
Capabilities of a Single Schedule Block
Schedules with Multiple Blocks
Choosing Between Delay Start and Date Range
Example Schedule in Depth: 30 Minutes Before Sunset to 30 Minutes After Sunrise
Deploying the SM5
Pre-Deployment Checklist
Beginning Deployment Checklist
Mid-Deployment Refresh Checklist
Post-Deployment Checklist
Song Meter SM5 Mounting Points
Secure the SM5 with a Cable Lock and Padlock
Use "Instant Record" to Take Voice Notes and Test Microphones
Transect Recording
Record a Transect Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Record a Transect Using the Built-In Location Logging
Time Synchronization and Acoustic Localization
Deploy SM5 Recorders for Acoustic Localization
Maintaining the SM5 and Its Microphones
Acoustic Stub Microphone Maintenance
Uninstall Acoustic Stub Microphones
Install Acoustic Stub Microphones
Replace Foam Windscreens
Install a Protective Cover on an Acoustic Stub Microphone
Replace the Clock Battery
Prepare the SM5 for Long-Term Storage
Measure Acoustic Microphone Sensitivity
Run the Internal Microphone Test Routine
Audio Recordings and Other Output Files
SD Card File Structure
Retrieve Data from the SM5's SD Cards
Audio Recording Files
GUANO Metadata Fields
Test the Effects of W4V Compression
Summary File Format
Format an SD Card using a Computer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the SM5 define sunrise and sunset?
Troubleshooting
SD Card Shows Used Space After Deleting Files
SD Card Contains Fewer Folders than Expected
Built-In Display Does Not Turn On
Error: Dropping Audio
Warning: Wrong Microphone Type
New SM5 Does Not Power On
Generate Recorder Diagnostics Files
Generate Recorder Diagnostics Using the Built-In Interface
Generate Recorder Diagnostics Using the Song Meter Configurator App
Generate Song Meter Configurator App Debug Log
Specifications
Physical Specifications
Audio Specifications
Acoustic Stub Microphone Specifications
GPS/GLONASS Specifications
Bluetooth Specifications
Clock Specifications
Power Consumption and Battery Life
Power Source Specifications
Song Meter Configurator Mobile App Requirements
Declaration of Conformity
Prohibition Against Eavesdropping
Warranty
Patents
Copyright Notices
Contact Information

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