Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

BEDROCK SMXX series

While the SM90 is certified as class 1, the Bedrock SM30 and SM50 are both certified as class 2 for SPL measurements. The microphone makes up the majority of the difference. The SM30 lacks speech intelligibility test methods, but the SM50 and SM90 share the same modules and options.

According to IEC-61672, both meet class 1 requirements. In addition, the AM100 boasts a more sophisticated touch screen, a more durable (alloy and ABS) enclosure, and better specifications overall (computational power, battery life, storage) than the SM90. Other features of the AM100 include an integrated signal generator, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a second input channel.

For all of its instruments, Bedrock Audio continues to create and release new modules. These are available for free, so there’s no need to purchase them. To get the most comprehensive set of modules available right now, just update the firmware to the most recent version.

We welcome any recommendations you may have for additional features. Kindly contact [email protected] to inform us. We have a lengthy “wish list” of features, but we don’t have much time to implement them. We begin with the features that seem to be most desired by our users, so whether (and when) we get around to working on the module of your choice also relies on how frequently or infrequently your request occurs. Consider having us create a unique firmware version of a feature for you if you absolutely MUST have it implemented as soon as possible, particularly if you are using (or want to purchase) many instruments. This might not cost as much as it seems. Please get in touch with us to talk about the options.

SMXX charging and power

A battery package with a 10.5 Wh capacity is included with the SMxx. For this kind of battery, that is already the maximum capacity that is produced. The internal battery may not have enough capacity if you need to measure for an extended period of time, especially if the display is always on. If so, we advise use a “power bank” or external USB battery pack.

The LED on the device’s side blinks green or orange while it is charging. This LED isn’t charging if it’s not blinking. Press the power button to activate the LCD display so you can see the screen as it charges.

There are times when the battery gauge loses its ability to detect the battery’s potential level of charge. This occurs particularly if you frequently charge the device insufficiently, meaning you don’t let it charge until it ends the charge cycle on its own. After a while of charging, your battery will actually retain power, but the battery gauge is unable to determine how much, so it shows “empty” as a precaution. Allow the device to charge until it is fully charged (for example, overnight) to resolve this. This may take five to six hours.

The charge circuit cuts off if it senses that the charger’s charge current is insufficient. Third-party or broken USB cables are nearly always the cause of this. Actually, 90% of SMxx support calls are caused by this. Since many low-quality third-party USB cables are just unable to withstand the high charge currents, please always use the original USB cable that came with the device. Additionally, whenever possible, use the original charge.

Maintenance and Calibration

Like most sound level meters, the SMxx requires calibration at least every two years, but many users would rather have the device calibrated once a year. For service and calibration, or to find out which local qualified calibration service provider is closest to you, get in touch with us.

Using the SMxx’s “calibration” menu and a calibration tone from an external calibrator, you can (and most likely should) check and adjust for the sensitivity microphone. Sound pressure level measurements may become less accurate due to variations in temperature and air pressure as well as some “drift” in sensitivity over time. A class 1 and a class 2 calibrator (BAC1 and BAC2) are available from Bedrock Audio. Once every one to two years, you should send the device back to the factory or a qualified service partner for a more comprehensive checkup, in addition to using a tone calibrator to check and adjust it yourself.

A slightly moist (not wet) microfiber cloth is what we advise using to clean the device. The device should never be cleaned with harsh solvents or cleaning agents. The device’s coatings and plastics will melt when exposed to certain solvents, like acetone. Our warranty does not cover this.

Connecting via USB

This appear to be an issues with some installs of windows, particularly Windows 7. The following usually fixes the issue:

– The SMxx should be assigned a drive letter. Find the drive, and right click. Choose “properties”

– Go to the hardware tab. Click on the “properties” button

– Click “change settings” 

– Go to the “policies” tab

– select “Better performance” instead of “Quick removal”

 Alternatively, if you know your way around Windows, go to the device manager and find the Bedrock Mass Storage device. If you double-click it, the “policies” tab is the second tab in the window.

Using Microsoft Excel tools to work with exported data

We are unable to provide an exhaustive list of MS Excel versions due to the large number of them (and for various platforms, with different pluggings, VBS support, etc.). Every time we update the Excel sheets, we test with the most recent versions and aim to maximize compatibility. Compared to Windows, Excel on Mac is typically more prone to problems. Keep in mind that you must have Visual Basic macro support installed.

Verify that macros are enabled and that Visual Basic support is installed. When a dialog box advising you about using macros appears, select “enable macros.” Accept any security warnings that appear as a yellow bar at the top of the screen.

When you are asked to select files for opening, select multiple files by holding down CTRL and clicking on the files you need (or keep SHIFT pressed to select a contiguous series of files).

The Excel tool’s operation is described in the workbook’s first tab.

The output files’ file format is typically unaffected by firmware updates. Just use the most recent firmware and the most recent version of our Excel files. Get the most recent Excel tools from this website’s “Support“ section.

Updating the SMxx firmware

Verify that you downloaded a legitimate update file from our website and that you copied the file to the device’s UPDATES folder.

This indicates that you are uploading a file in the wrong format or that the update file’s checksum is off. The package was probably corrupted during the USB copying process. Try copying once more, and if it still doesn’t work, try a different Mac or PC. Please refer to the details under “Connecting via USB” above if you are using a Windows 7 computer.

An update package for a different kind of device has been downloaded. Packages can only be installed by the SM50 for the SM50, the SM30 for the SM30, and so on.

It can take over an hour to complete large updates. This is typical. When updating, please keep the device powered by an external source.

Rarely, during the update process, the display processor might become locked (for example, because of power spikes). In certain situations, the device will boot up normally if you try touching the display. In other situations, power cycling—holding down the power button for ten seconds—helps. Touch the screen if an error message appears. The update package can then be copied again by attempting to connect via USB. Please get in touch with support if following these steps doesn’t resolve the issue.

Speech Transmission Index Measurements

A measuring tool or analyzer, like the Bedrock SM50, is the first thing you’ll need. This is the device used to calculate the STI. A source of the STI test signal is also required. The STIPA test signal that is used with the SM50 is provided on a flash drive; the test signal is typically provided as a digital audio file or CD. It is necessary to replay this test signal and play it back to the input of the channel being tested (for example, by playing it to the public address system’s line input). The STI describes how intelligibility is affected by the tested channel, which includes everything between the test signal source and the STI analyzer.

Your application will determine that. A calibrated source, such as a talkbox or a calibrated artificial mouth, is required to play back the STIPA signal to the microphone if your test channel starts with one. The STIPA signal’s spectrum must correspond to the level and spectrum specified in the standards. Using a loudspeaker and an equalizer, this can also be accomplished without a talkbox.

STIPA is an implementation of the Speech Transmission Index (STI) originally developed for Public Address (PA) systems. So STIPA is a specific method to measure the STI; the results are called STI values, not STIPA values.

The 14 modulation frequencies used to calculate the STI in each octave band are sampled in a full STI measurement. In order to cover the full modulation spectrum across all octave bands, STIPA is based on only two modulation frequencies per octave band, but these modulation frequencies vary between bands. Although the SM50 and SM90 have full STI measurements, other manufacturers do not currently provide them, despite the fact that STIPA may not be sufficient in certain situations.

Yes, provided that both the analyzer and the test signal adhere to IEC-60268-16’s fourth edition. Some older STI measuring devices are not included in this (verify the IEC standard’s edition/revision number). The Bedrock SM50 meets all of the most recent requirements.

Reverberation time measurements (RT60)

In accordance with ISO-3382, we support both the interrupted noise method and the impulse method. Please confirm that the mode you selected for your test stimulus is correct.

We suggest a starter gun or “clapper” for the impulse method. We suggest an external power loudspeaker that plays back a (white or pink) noise signal for the interrupted noise method. Although a spherical loudspeaker is ideal, other loudspeakers can also produce good results if they are properly maintained.

The TalkBox’s sound power is not enough to satisfy the decay curve’s dynamic range requirements, unless you’re in a small, quiet space. A powered external loudspeaker is what we advise. Through the XLR line-out, you could use the TalkBox as a source of noise for this speaker.

BTB65 Talkbox

Only on gadgets with USB ports and serial numbers that start with a C or a D. If you need to update your firmware, please get in touch with support.

Not right now. At a later time, we would like to release a tool that will enable users to upload their own audio files via USB.

Any question? please let us know
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