Wildlife Acoustics SM4M User Manual
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Song Meter SM4M
BIOACOUSTICS RECORDER
Last updated on September 7, 2017.
page ii
BIOACOUSTIC MONITORING SYSTEMS
CONTENTS
1! Overview 1!
1.1!Use%of%this%Guide%..................................................................................%1
!
1.2!Introduction%to %th e %S M4M%....................................................................%1
!
1.3!Submersible%and%Deep%Water%Models%..................................................%2
!
1.4!Acoustic%and%Ultrasonic%Models%...........................................................%2
!
1.5!Hydrophone%Options%............................................................................%3
!
1.6!SM4M%Visual%Tour%................................................................................%3
!
1.7!Pressure%Release%Valve%........................................................................%5
!
2! Setup 6!
2.1!Storage%and%Transport%..........................................................................%6
!
2.2!Installing%Batterie s%...............................................................................%7
!
2.3!Turning%Power%ON%and%OFF%..................................................................%8
!
2.4!Inserting%and%R e moving%SD%Me mory%Cards%...........................................%8
!
2.5!Estimating%Battery%Life%.........................................................................%9
!
2.6!Estimating%Memory%Requirements%.......................................................%9
!
2.7!Deploying%the%Recorder%......................................................................%11
!
2.8!Anchoring%Solutions%...........................................................................%15
!
2.9!Retrieving%and%Servicing%the%Recorder%................................................%17
!
3! SM4M Specific User Guide Notes 19!
3.1!Setting%Gain%.......................................................................................%19
!
3.2!Deactivating%Scrubber%on%Ultrasonic%Models%......................................%19
!
3.3!Recording%Behavior%............................................................................%20
!
3.4!Measuring%Hydrophone%Sensitivity%.....................................................%20
!
4! Specifications 21!
4.1!Physical%Specifications%.......................................................................%21
!
4.2!Power%Specifications%..........................................................................%21
!
4.3!Memory%Card%Specifications%...............................................................%22
!
4.4!Audio%Specifications%...........................................................................%22
!
4.5!Hydrophone%Response%and%Noise%Charts%............................................%23
!
5! Warranty and Disclosures 24!
Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 1
1
Overview
1.1 Use%of%this%Guide%%
The SM4M is built upon the Song Meter SM4/SM4BAT platform. The Acoustic
Model features the SM4 recorder and the Ultrasonic Model features the
SM4BAT recorder. This document is a supplement to the SM4/SM4BAT User
Guides. It is not intended as a stand-alone document and describes only
information specifically related to the SM4M Marine Recorders. The SM4 or
SM4BAT User Guide should be read first to fully understand the device’s features
and capabilities.
Revised and Translated User Guides
Wildlife Acoustics’ User Guides are regularly updated and improved. New
versions can be downloaded from
http://www.wildlifeacoustics.com/support/documentation. The SM4/SM4BAT
User Guides are also available from the same webpage in Spanish, French,
German, Chinese and Japanese translations.
Tutorial Videos
Visit http://www.wildlifeacoustics.com/support/tutorial-videos to view tutorial
videos for the SM4 and SM4BAT.
Contacting Support
For issues or questions not addressed in this guide, contact the Wildlife
Acoustics Support Team:
■
Email: support2017@wildlifeacoustics.com
■
North America (toll-free): 1-888-733-0200
■
Outside North America: US+1 978-369-5225 (Toll charges may apply.).
1.2 Introduction%to%the%SM4M%
The Song Meter SM4M is a submersible bioacoustics recorder designed for
short or long term deployments in fresh or salt water. It is a cost-effective and
reliable solution for the underwater monitoring of dolphins, whales, and other
marine wildlife as well as ocean noise or anthropogenic sounds.
Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 2
Like the SM4 and SM4BAT recorders, the SM4M features flexible scheduling, low
power consumption and 16-bit digital recording. The SM4M can be deployed
for days, week or months in any marine environment.
1.3 Submersible%and%Deep%Water%Models%
The SM4M is available in two housings: Submersible or Deep
Water.
The Submersible is rated to 500 feet (150 meters). The depth
rating degrades with time, the 500 feet rating assumes a ten-year
deployment life The housing will accept 32 D-sized batteries.
The Deep Water is for deployments requiring greater depth or
longer battery life. It is rated to 2,625 feet (800 meters) and will
accept 64 D-sized batteries. The recording electronics are identical.
1.4 Acoustic%and%Ultrasonic%Models%
The SM4M is available in two versions: Acoustic or Ultrasonic.
The Acoustic version is designed to be used with the Acoustic Hydrophone
option for monitoring non-ultrasonic marine mammals and quantifying ocean
noise. It can record sounds up to 48 kHz. It is a two-channel recorder so it can
additionally be fitted with a High-SPL Hydrophone to simultaneously record
very loud sounds such as pile drivers. Alternatively, it can be ordered with only a
High-SPL Hydrophone.
The Ultrasonic version is designed to be used with the Ultrasonic
Hydrophone option for monitoring echolocation calls of marine mammals. It
can record sounds up to 200 kHz. The hydrophone and electronics can also
record low frequency sounds but with slightly more recording noise than the
Acoustic version with the Acoustic Hydrophone.
Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 3
1.5 Hydrophone%Op tions%
Three hydrophone options are available for the SM4M: Acoustic, Ultrasonic, and
High-SPL.
The Acoustic Hydrophone is used to record whale songs, dolphin whistles,
and/or ambient noise levels, from infrasonic into ultrasonic frequencies.
The Ultrasonic Hydrophone increases the recording bandwidth of the system
to allow recordings not only from ultrasonic dolphin and porpoise echolocation
calls, but also ultrasonic anthropogenic sounds as well.
NOTE: For low noise applications, choose the Acoustic Model. The Ultrasonic has a
higher noise floor which can mask quieter noises. See the Specifications section for
more information.
The High-SPL Hydrophone is specifically tailored to recording and quantifying
high sound pressure levels such as those produced by pile drivers and air guns.
When combined with any of the other hydrophones in a dual hydrophone
configuration, the unit can record quiet or distant sounds from any source
including marine life with one hydrophone, and at the same time accurately
record and quantify very loud sounds from anthropogenic sources with the
High-SPL.
The sensitivity of each hydrophone is calibrated to a 0.1 dB resolution by the
hydrophone manufacturer. This value appears on a tag attached to the
hydrophone cable and is reported as the average value over the band from 200
Hz to 1.6 kHz in increments of 100 Hz.
Hydrophone%Recording%Bandwidth%and%Dynamic%Range%
Hydrophones
± 5 dB Recording
Bandwidth (Hz)
Dynamic Range (db
SPL)
Standard Acoustic
2 – 48,000
78 – 165
Ultrasonic
2 – 192,000
81 – 165
High-SPL
2 – 48,000
150 – 240
1.6 SM4M%Visual%Tour%
The housing contains a large board with electronics and batteries that slides free
of the enclosure for servicing. The Deep Water model also contains a second
board that is attached to the first to hold additional batteries.
WARNING: Do not allow water, moisture, dirt, or debris of any kind to come in contact
with the internal parts of your recorder.
Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 4
At the top of the board are the SM4 or SM4BAT module which contains the LCD
display, user interface buttons, SD card slots, power switch and GPS accessory
port.
1
Storage Case: Rugged storage case protects the equipment
and offers convenient handles and wheels for reliable
transport.
Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 1 Overview
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 5
2
Desiccant: Your unit ships with 5 packs of desiccant.
Apply a desiccant pack inside the unit before each
deployment.
3
Silicon Lubricant: Apply to the O-Rings and flat surface
points inside the top cap.
4
O-Rings: O-Rings protect seals against water.
5
Spanner Wrenches: Set of two identical wrenches allow
installation and removal of the threaded top cap.
1.7 Pressure%Release%Valve%
A pressure release valve is installed on the top cap next to the hydrophone. The
pressure release valve prevents dangerous pressure build up greater than 10 PSI
within the enclosure by releasing air though the valve. No maintenance is
required to the valve and it should not be removed. It should be verified that it is
hand tight before deployment.
Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 6
2
Setup
2.1 Storage%and%Transport%
The SM4M ships in a rugged case suitable for storage and shipment.
The case has wheels on one end for ease of travel and two latches which can
accept locks for security. The spanner wrenches, O-rings, lubricant, desiccant,
and other needed supplies can also be stored inside.
Song Meter SM4M User Guide Supplement 2 Setup
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc. page 7
2.2 Installing%Batteries%%
You c an us e s ta nda rd D si ze d a lk al ine o r NiMH batteries. Always use a minimum
of 8 batteries. Though the SM4M will power with only 4 batteries installed,
battery life will be shorter because of the voltage drop from the diodes that
protect each group of 4 batteries.
Prior to installation, we recommend that you test all batteries with a high-quality
pulse load battery tester such as the ZTS MINI-MBT.
NOTE: Do not mix batteries of different types. Do not mix old and new batteries.
1. Remove the top cap.
2. Pull the battery board from the housing using the large finger hole at the
top of the board.
3. Press STOP to stop the current recording schedule. This step may be
unnecessary if the batteries are depleted or the memory cards are full.
4. Remove the old batteries.
5. For SM4M Submersible models, insert at least 8 and at most 32 new size D
batteries of the same type. For SM4M Deep Water models, insert at least 8
and at most 64 new size D batteries of the same type.
Batteries must be inserted in the proper groupings which are labeled A through
H on the battery board. All four battery holders corresponding to a letter must
be populated. Letters C and F have two on the back and two on the front. If not
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