Bioacoustic Classes
The world of Audio Forensics and Audio Ecology
Wildlife Acoustics Slide from Dave Roberts and Ali Donargo Intro to Kaleidoscope workshop
Today was my first day participating in a Wildlife Acoustics class. It was more than I could ever imagine! The upper left picture with the guy dressed in parabolic ears (where can I get a pair) and the gigantic parabolic microphone connected to a stack of analog gear in the back of a car puts into perspective the evolution of Bioacoustics. Today’s shotgun, tree ears, and parabolic microphones will one day seem archaic in the field of nature recording.
Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter SM4
Song Meter Mini 2AA
I have always been interest in the Song Meters and Kaleidoscope software by Wildlife Acoustics The $500 to $700 cost for a 16bit recorder was not a great option for capturing 24/32bit higher fidelity pure nature sounds in the past. This year’s upcoming species count and identification initiatives changes my needs and makes the Wildlife Acoustic Song Meter a prime candidate for my research.
Analyzing sound files in Kaleidoscope Lite Software
I have been interested in working with Isotope (sonogram visualization analysis software) for several years and presently need a similar tool I can use to analyze the data sets captured during my nature recording adventures for species and habitat research. Kaleidoscope by Wildlife Acoustics is a software that is compatible with MAC, Linux, and Windows operating systems. Its’ advanced batch audio file analysis, frequency filtering/isolation abilities, meta data handling, visual interactive sonogram/oscilloscope analysis, and host of other cutting edge features are astonishing!
In today’s class, we had the opportunity to demo the free Kaleidoscope Lite version. With the amount of audio forensic proficiency that can be achieved using the free version, I am sure the Kaleidoscope Pro edition is very impressive with additional capabilities. Kaleidoscope Pro costs $399 a year. If you are planning to use files recorded on devices that are not made by Wildlife Acoustics, i.e. Song Meters, you will need to purchase the Pro version.
Bat Recording being analyzed by Dave with Kaleidoscope
The class went over the allotted time because of participants questions about audio forensics, bats, and isolation techniques. I am scheduled for 4 more classes over the course of 1 month. I have been recording sound and studying sound energy for many decades which led me to becoming a sound scientist and therapist. My new endeavors in performing species study and research with bird refuges, encourages me to evolve my knowledge base, software, and equipment needs.
Today’s class introduced the next level of analyzing audio through what is called audio forensics. The Wildlife Acoustics Kaleidoscope software provides access to additional forms of audio spectrum analysis which is a supplementary tool to using a visual graphic equalizer with wave forms, EQing/Shelving techniques, and/or VU meters in a DAW (Digital Analog Workstation). The software is an essential tool for my line of work and I am sure it will be for many others studying wildlife bio-acoustics. Click the button below to learn more about the Wildlife Acoustics product line!
