Bat Recorder
$6.33
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About Bat Recorder
This app works in conjunction with a separately purchased USB ultrasonic microphone to record and analyze ultrasonic bat echolocation calls (and thus can be used as a bat detector), as well as other high frequency bioacoustic signals from cetaceans, insects, and other animals. It can also be used to record audible signals such as bird songs using a non-ultrasonic USB microphone.
The app supports many USB microphones (ultrasonic or not) that conform to the USB audio class specification, such as any Dodotronic Ultramic USB microphone or Hydromic USB preamplifier, the Pettersson Elektronik M500-384 ultrasonic microphone (note that the M500-384 is a different model than the Pettersson Elektronik M500), Avisoft's UltraSoundGate 116Unb ultrasonic microphone, or the non ultrasonic Samson GoMic USB microphone. The app also supports Binary Acoustic Technology's miniMIC line of ultrasonic microphones. By default, the app will use the highest sampling rate supported by the USB microphone - however, the app's Settings allows for specifying other sampling rates if the USB microphone supports this feature. Note also that the app records in 16-bit mono only.
The app can also be used to record audio from the Android device microphone or from frequency division, time expansion, or heterodyne bat detectors using an audio cable plugged into the TRRS jack. However, please note that in these cases, the incoming signal is not ultrasonic.
This app displays a real-time spectrogram (on a linear or logarithmic frequency scale) and the wave amplitude for both incoming signals, as well as for previously made recordings (saved as uncompressed, geotagged WAV files). The display can be zoomed, and the visualization can be enhanced using a variety of configurable color palettes. The app also can display a power spectrum for any point in a recording. Finally, in order to facilitate quick field measurements, the app has a 'caliper' tool, which attempts to place a frequency and time axis overlay on top of any sound feature that a user double taps on.
This app supports the ability to audibly monitor ultrasonic sounds simultaneously while recording, using real-time frequency division, heterodyne tuning (manual and automatic), or frequency low pass filtering of the incoming signal. Recorded ultrasonic signals can additionally be played back in the audible range using time expansion. Time expanded versions of recordings can also be exported.
This app also can be set up for recordings to be triggered automatically based on frequency and intensity. In addition, listening periods can be set up using a timer, and the app can send SMS messages and/or emails whenever a recording is automatically triggered.
The app can store metadata (location, recording device model, time stamp) inside recorded WAV files using either the XMP or GUANO metadata format. The app can also save recordings directly to a writable SD card if your Android device supports it, as well as export GPS Exchange File formatted tracks, useful for transects.
Please note that the USB microphones require an Android device that supports USB OTG for power. This is not a requirement for non-ultrasonic microphones plugged into the TRRS jack.
IMPORTANT note to Android 6.0+ users: The location permission and SMS permission are optional - the location permission is only needed to geotag recordings, and the SMS permission is only used to send text messages when a triggered event occurs. All other permissions must be granted for the app to run - otherwise you will get a permissions error message.
A PDF version of the Bat Recorder user manual in several different languages can be found at http://manuals.batrecorder.com.
The app supports many USB microphones (ultrasonic or not) that conform to the USB audio class specification, such as any Dodotronic Ultramic USB microphone or Hydromic USB preamplifier, the Pettersson Elektronik M500-384 ultrasonic microphone (note that the M500-384 is a different model than the Pettersson Elektronik M500), Avisoft's UltraSoundGate 116Unb ultrasonic microphone, or the non ultrasonic Samson GoMic USB microphone. The app also supports Binary Acoustic Technology's miniMIC line of ultrasonic microphones. By default, the app will use the highest sampling rate supported by the USB microphone - however, the app's Settings allows for specifying other sampling rates if the USB microphone supports this feature. Note also that the app records in 16-bit mono only.
The app can also be used to record audio from the Android device microphone or from frequency division, time expansion, or heterodyne bat detectors using an audio cable plugged into the TRRS jack. However, please note that in these cases, the incoming signal is not ultrasonic.
This app displays a real-time spectrogram (on a linear or logarithmic frequency scale) and the wave amplitude for both incoming signals, as well as for previously made recordings (saved as uncompressed, geotagged WAV files). The display can be zoomed, and the visualization can be enhanced using a variety of configurable color palettes. The app also can display a power spectrum for any point in a recording. Finally, in order to facilitate quick field measurements, the app has a 'caliper' tool, which attempts to place a frequency and time axis overlay on top of any sound feature that a user double taps on.
This app supports the ability to audibly monitor ultrasonic sounds simultaneously while recording, using real-time frequency division, heterodyne tuning (manual and automatic), or frequency low pass filtering of the incoming signal. Recorded ultrasonic signals can additionally be played back in the audible range using time expansion. Time expanded versions of recordings can also be exported.
This app also can be set up for recordings to be triggered automatically based on frequency and intensity. In addition, listening periods can be set up using a timer, and the app can send SMS messages and/or emails whenever a recording is automatically triggered.
The app can store metadata (location, recording device model, time stamp) inside recorded WAV files using either the XMP or GUANO metadata format. The app can also save recordings directly to a writable SD card if your Android device supports it, as well as export GPS Exchange File formatted tracks, useful for transects.
Please note that the USB microphones require an Android device that supports USB OTG for power. This is not a requirement for non-ultrasonic microphones plugged into the TRRS jack.
IMPORTANT note to Android 6.0+ users: The location permission and SMS permission are optional - the location permission is only needed to geotag recordings, and the SMS permission is only used to send text messages when a triggered event occurs. All other permissions must be granted for the app to run - otherwise you will get a permissions error message.
A PDF version of the Bat Recorder user manual in several different languages can be found at http://manuals.batrecorder.com.
All Application Badges
Paid
app
app
Android
4.2+
4.2+
Bug
buster
buster
Android app
App History & Updates
What's Changed
Attempted file name cache fix when transferring files to Windows thru USB.
Attempted file name cache fix when transferring files to Windows thru USB.
Version update Bat Recorder was updated to version 1.0R130
More downloads Bat Recorder reached 100 - 500 downloads
Price update Price changed from $5.99 to $6.33.
What are users saying about Bat Recorder
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
The developer sets the benchmark for response to enquiries and requests. Awesome! Although the primary focus of this app is wild life orientated, the features are unmatched. One of the best audio spectrum analyzer apps available for Android, with or without an ultrasonic microphone. Thanks Bill.
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
Running this app with a Pettersson m500-384 and a Samsung s6 and nexus 7 tablet. Everything works great so far, however I have only been using it for a week and unfortunately the weather has been too bad for bat detecting. I had 1 issue with my phone crashing when locking the screen whilst recording. Bill responded to my email very fast and the issue was resolved within 12 hours. Happy with this app.
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
This is an excellent spectrum analyzer. I particularly appreciate the developer's fast response to my request for a logarithmic scale. The application works flawlessly.
R
by R####:
by R####:
This app is perfect, looks great and runs a amazingly well (tested with the pettersson 500-384 USB mic) on Nexus 6p and Nexus 7. Bill has been extremely helpful with responses via email and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this again. £5 is a bargain!
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
This is a nicely designed app that works flawlessly with a number of different USB ultrasound microphones. The competent developer is quite responsive and added support for new microphones very quickly.
L
by L####:
by L####:
Sorry but the app authorisation has not been granted.....shame because it had good reviews.
M
by M####:
by M####:
This app is a full-spectrum recording system for a ridiculously low price. I can now hook my ultrasonic microphones up to my tablet or phone and get recordings without needing to haul out my computer. The app is simple to use and does things that I used to need a full desktop computer and thousands of dollars worth of equipment for! If you have a microphone that it supports you should have this app. Developer also very responsive and helpful. We communicated by email and he added a new feature to make the program easier to use in about a day.
M
by M####:
by M####:
This is a long-needed app to allow visualization of audio signals acquired via usb, for smartphones that have a usb host. The app has a nice interface, intuitive controls, and a very helpful user manual. Although it only works with a couple of microphones at the moment, the developer has plans to add more in the future. An easy and inexpensive way to turn your phone into a full-spectrum bat detector!
by Q####:
This is actually a lovely app, with a nice interface and the settings mostly allow me to record in the way I like to. It would be nice to have the continuous recording mode break the recording into 4 or 5 minute files, but I can get close to the same effect by using triggered recording and just hoping there is enough background to keep the device triggered. Only three stars because it only works on a few devices. Fine on my Samsung Galaxy S6 edge (Android 6) with a Petterson M500-384. Also works on a Xiaomi Redmi 2 (Android 4.3) with a 20cm OTG cable but not with 0.5 or 1m cables. On my Teclast tablet with Android 5.1 and my Oukitel K6000 Pro (Android 6) they detect and recognize the microphone (and its 'active' light turns on and off) but no data appears on the screen at all. Shame as I bought the Oukitel specially for batting as it has a nice large 6000mAh battery.