<p>I looked up the Bible of Underwater Acoustics (Urick 1983) and found the following overview
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/p7jhb.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/p7jhb.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>There are 12 methods mentioned with 27 references!</p>
<p>Anyhow, the simplest method is to compare the sensor in question with a calibrated one. In underwater you compare the recording with the direct measurements of a calibrated hydrophone.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-02T17:09:30.850Z
2022-07-02T18:16:49.893Z
2022-07-02T18:16:49.893Z
WMXZ
<p>From a terrestrial sound perspective, I've seen analogous calibration methods to those pointed out by @WMXZ. See chapter contents from [i] below.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/NgNpb.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/NgNpb.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>On a regular basis though, I've only so far seen the substitution method (measuring the playback sound with a quality calibration mic, and then switching it with the target mic and comparing the recorded signals.</p>
<p>References</p>
<p>i) Wong, G.S. (2014). Microphones and Their Calibration. In: Rossing, T.D. (eds) Springer Handbook of Acoustics. Springer Handbooks. Springer, New York, NY.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-03T06:59:59.437Z
2022-07-03T06:59:59.437Z
Thejasvi
<p>You can either:</p>
<ol>
<li>Trust the cal sheet of the microphone</li>
<li>use a pistonphone to check sensitivity at one frequency (typically 250 or 1000 Hz)</li>
<li>do a relative calibration where you measure a sound field with a known microphone and then insert your unknown microphone in the same sound field to work out its sensitivity.</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-05T10:47:19.627Z
2022-07-05T10:47:19.627Z
Marinebioacoustics Aarhus Univ
<p>I have come across many terms to describe different types of recorder calibrations (e.g., end-to-end calibration, point calibration, factory calibration) and the whole topic of recorder calibration was very confusing for me when I started in bioacoustics. I had a hard time finding beginner-level (i.e., not highly technical, jargon-filled) material describing calibration, and even now, I still at times question whether I'm using the correct terminology.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone would be able to provide a concise summary of the different types or methods of recorder calibration and perhaps when they might be more or less recommended.</p>
<p>I also wonder if the calibration categories and recommendations tend to be similar for air and underwater recordings. (For me, I have only worked with underwater recorders, so I'm not very familiar with air recording methods.)</p>
<p>Thank you for any help you can offer!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-02T23:08:21.383Z
You must have read my mind -- I was just googling this very thing!
angie_zorka
<methods><calibration><terminology>
Distinguishing between types of recorder calibration
# Distinguishing between types of recorder calibration

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-07-02)

I have come across many terms to describe different types of recorder calibrations (e.g., end-to-end calibration, point calibration, factory calibration) and the whole topic of recorder calibration was very confusing for me when I started in bioacoustics. I had a hard time finding beginner-level (i.e., not highly technical, jargon-filled) material describing calibration, and even now, I still at times question whether I'm using the correct terminology.

I was wondering if anyone would be able to provide a concise summary of the different types or methods of recorder calibration and perhaps when they might be more or less recommended.

I also wonder if the calibration categories and recommendations tend to be similar for air and underwater recordings. (For me, I have only worked with underwater recorders, so I'm not very familiar with air recording methods.)

Thank you for any help you can offer!

**Tags:** methods, calibration, terminology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You must have read my mind -- I was just googling this very thing!  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-07-02. Score: 6

I looked up the Bible of Underwater Acoustics (Urick 1983) and found the following overview
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/p7jhb.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/p7jhb.jpg)

There are 12 methods mentioned with 27 references!

Anyhow, the simplest method is to compare the sensor in question with a calibrated one. In underwater you compare the recording with the direct measurements of a calibrated hydrophone.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-07-03. Score: 2

From a terrestrial sound perspective, I've seen analogous calibration methods to those pointed out by @username_2. See chapter contents from [i] below.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/NgNpb.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/NgNpb.png)

On a regular basis though, I've only so far seen the substitution method (measuring the playback sound with a quality calibration mic, and then switching it with the target mic and comparing the recorded signals.

References

i) Wong, G.S. (2014). Microphones and Their Calibration. In: Rossing, T.D. (eds) Springer Handbook of Acoustics. Springer Handbooks. Springer, New York, NY.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2022-07-05. Score: 1

You can either:

1. Trust the cal sheet of the microphone
2. use a pistonphone to check sensitivity at one frequency (typically 250 or 1000 Hz)
3. do a relative calibration where you measure a sound field with a known microphone and then insert your unknown microphone in the same sound field to work out its sensitivity.


---

