2. About the Song Meter Micro 2
The Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Micro 2 is a bioacoustics recorder designed for recording the vocalizations of birds, frogs, and other wildlife. Its compact enclosure and budget-friendly price point make it the most widely accessible Song Meter recorder and well suited for projects requiring many recorders running in parallel.
Its IP67 weatherproof enclosure means it can be left unattended in the field for extended periods to collect audio recordings of nearby wildlife. Its flexible schedule system means you can tailor your deployment to record only periods of peak activity or to stretch the recorder's battery life over longer deployments.
The Song Meter Micro 2 is primarily configured through the Song Meter Configurator mobile app via Bluetooth. This free companion app is available for iOS and Android devices, and it provides a simple interface for configuring the recorder's audio settings. The app receives periodic status updates from Song Meter recorders within Bluetooth range (typically 10-20 meters). This allows you to check on your recorders even when they are out of direct reach.
The Song Meter Micro 2 records audio in the widely supported .wav format, meaning recordings can be reviewed and processed in almost any audio software, including Wildlife Acoustics' Kaleidoscope Pro analysis software.
Comparing the Song Meter Micro and Song Meter Micro 2
The Song Meter Micro 2 builds on the first-generation Song Meter Micro by taking into account the feedback we have received from users in all types of scenarios since the original product's launch in 2021.
The first- and second-generation recorders share much in common, and users coming from the original Song Meter Micro will find themselves well at home with the new Song Meter Micro 2. However, there are several major improvements worth highlighting, as well as functional differences that we recommend keeping in mind, particularly if you have a mixed fleet of first- and second-generation recorders.
The Song Meter Micro 2's enclosure has been completely redesigned from the ground up to be more robust and easier to use.
While the first-generation Song Meter Micro's enclosure was comprised of a separate base and lid, the enclosure of the Song Meter Micro 2 is joined by a permanent hinge, and the latch can be more easily operated with one hand.
The seal around the edges of the enclosure has been improved, and the enclosure meets IP67 standards. This means it can withstand temporary submersion in water up to a depth of one meter without water instrusion.
The back of the Song Meter Micro 2 features a tripod-style, ¼”-20 threaded mounting point. This enables you to mount the recorder using many accessories designed for trail cameras and similar devices.
For more detailed information on the new enclosure, see Song Meter Micro 2 Hardware.
The new Song Meter Micro 2 enclosure now allows for four AA batteries instead of three, and the recorder's circuitry has been made more energy-efficient. With these two improvements, the Song Meter Micro 2 can run for twice as long as the Song Meter Micro, assuming identical microSD cards and batteries, at room temperature conditions.
A ribbon built into the AA battery tray allows you to remove batteries much more easily.
The enclosure and electronics of the Song Meter Micro 2 have been redesigned to complement the microphone element and improve the recorder's frequency response. The result is a recorder that is more evenly sensitive across the vast majority of the audible spectrum.
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The Song Meter Micro and Song Meter Micro 2 run the same firmware versions, meaning both will be improved by the same new features and bug fixes as we release firmware updates.
Both recorders can also share configuration files. A configuration file exported from a Song Meter Micro can be imported into a Song Meter Micro 2, and vice-versa. This provides a simple way to maintain consistent settings across a mixed fleet of recorders.