AES New York 2013
Product Design Session PD6
Sunday, October 20, 11:00 am — 12:00 pm (Room 1E14)
PD6 - Razorbill: A High-Resolution, High-Capacity, Low-Power Autonomous Acoustic Recorder
Presenter:Peter Marchetto, Cornell University - Ithaca, NY, USA
Abstract:
High-fidelity, battery powered acoustic recorders are getting ever smaller and more ubiquitous. Most commercially available devices focus on increasing bit depth and sampling frequency, while de-emphasizing low power consumption. However, there is an increasing need for very long duration continuous recordings for biological and environmental studies. To fill this gap, we have developed and tested a new autonomous recorder capable of recording at a 16-bit depth and a sampling frequency of 48 kHz for over a month on only three alkaline batteries. This unit has a dynamic range of over 135 dB re 20 µPa when combined with a standard electret microphone, with a THD+N figure of <1.5 %. Data is stored on standard Secure Digital (SD) cards for easy offloading. The newest version under development will increase the recording capacity to a 24-bit depth and 96kHz sampling frequency, with the aim of maintaining the month-long duration.
