Description

Low Frequency Detector

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"Low Frequency Detector" is a new acoustic measurement tool for detecting low frequency sounds that is hard to hear in the normal situation. It supports very lower frequency range less than 100Hz by our proprietary sound sensing technology.

This app also allows you to examine the frequency component of the low frequency sounds by 1/3 octave band analysis and FFT analysis.

The human ear is insensitive enough to become a low frequency. If you may be exposed to the noise of neighboring constructions and factories without noticing, you may have a feeling bad and a sense of oppression. In this case, you can check what type of the low frequency noise exists by simple operation of this app.

The latest version supports iOS 17 and improves stability and performance.


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Please click on the link below to access "Low Frequency Detector" product page in AppStoreTM.

It will move to another site, download from AppStore


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iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. ApStore is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Products Information

Version: 6.0
Release date: September 28, 2023. UTC
Size: 0.7 MB
Category: Utilities, Life Style
Compatibility: Compatible with iPhone. Requires iOS 16.6 or later. iPod and iPad products are not recommended.
Status: Now distributing.

Features

Optimized for iPhone, Compact code size.
Low frequency power level measurement from 5Hz to 100Hz (LF): Flat characteristic, Updating indication of measurement period 1sec.
Power level measurement in the audible band (Leq): Flat characteristic, Updating indication of measurement period 200ms.
1/3 octave band analysis (Oct)
FFT analysis (FFT)
Time course graph (TIME)
Snapshot (Snap) on the measurement display screen.
Report function (Report): Analysis report of a peak LF Level with TIME, OCT and FFT.
Measurement time : up to 60 sec.

Low Frequency Sounds

In general, the low frequency sounds is a sound wave with 1Hz to 100Hz. By depending on its frequency component and sound level, it is different the degree of influence on the human body and the noise sensation.

This app is a sound measurement tool for detecting the low-frequency sound, and it can measure the low frequency power level and perform frequency domain analysis (1/3 octave band analysis and FFT analysis).

The sound level measurement of low frequency sounds is the level difference with respect to the reference signal (1kHz sine wave), and the relative power level value is displayed.

Important initial settings (iOS permissions)

In order for this app to work properly, it is necessary to make the following initial settings related to the iOS system.


Microphone access permission setting

At the initial startup after installing the app, the iOS system asks for permission to access the built-in microphone. In this case, you need to enable access to "Microphone".

If you have not enabled this setting, this app can not work by privacy restrictions of the iOS system. Please enable the access permission on the iOS setting, "Settings > Privacy > Microphone".


Photos access permission setting

When the first time you save an image data with Snapshot, the iOS system asks for permission to access the "Photos" library. In this case, you need to enable access to "Photos".

If you have not enabled this setting, this app can not work by privacy restrictions of the iOS system. Please enable the access permission on the iOS setting, "Settings > Privacy > Photos".

Operation procedure

Measurement analysis of low-frequency sound is performed in the following step. Be sure to set the measurement conditions in Step-1 once before starting the measurement analysis.


Step-1) Calibration (Calibrate)

A reference signal (1kHz sine wave) is output to determine the reference noise level for the low frequency component. If the volume level of iPhone is set to about 20-50%, the calibration will automatically adjust it to the optimum volume level for the reference signal.

* Please adjust in a quiet environment as much as possible.

* When the iPhone volume level is set to about 20-50%, calibration automatically adjusts the volume level to the optimum level for the reference signal.

* Do not change the volume setting of the iPhone after calibration or during measurement.


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The accuracy of the reference value is displayed as a result after the calibration is finished. If you measure with "Low accuracy", the measurement accuracy may be degraded.

"Completed !" : Normal state.
"Terminated.(low accuracy)" : Low accuracy state. When used on this state, the measurement accuracy may be reduced.

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Step-2) Measurement (Measure)

Detects low-frequency sound levels from 5 to 100 Hz.

It is done by capturing the ambient sound from the microphone while playing back a reference signal and analyzing it. Take this measurement where you think the low-frequency noise is present. It stops automatically after a maximum of 60 seconds.

* In the case high power of 1kHz component is included in the measured noise source, the precision of measured value by this app largely decreases.


Step-3) Measurement display

The measurement indication can select either 1/3 octave band frequency analysis, FFT analysis, or low-frequency sound level time transition chart. These measurement analysis displays are updated in real time. In addition, after the completion of the measurement, you can show the analysis report.


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Sound Level

The sound level shows the power level (Leq) of the audible band and the low-frequency power level (LF Level) less than 100 Hz. At this time, these update period are "Leq" with 0.2 seconds and "LF Level" with 1 second.


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LF (dB) :

It is a low-frequency power level 0f 100 Hz or less. It is the unique specified value calculated base on the level of reference signal 1kHz. * This is only a reference value as it depends on the reference signal level from calibration.

Leq (dB) :

It is the equivalent sound level with the frequency weight characteristic Z (Flat) of the audible band. "Leq" contains the sound of the reference sine wave 1kHz. Therefore, it is different from the measurement value with a general sound level meter.

1/3 Octave Band Analysis (OCT)

In this analysis, the power spectrum in the low-frequency sound is displayed by the frequency component band that is divided into fourteen from the center frequency 5Hz to 100Hz. This display is updated in real time, and you can intuitively grasp the frequency component of low-frequency sound. In addition, the white line display shows the frequency characteristic with the frequency weight corrected for the G characteristic.


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FFT Analysis (FFT)

In this analysis, FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) is performed on the low-frequency sound, and the power for each frequency component is displayed in spectrum so that the instantaneous frequency peak can be observed. This display is updated in real time, and you can intuitively grasp the frequency component of low-frequency sound. In addition, the white line display shows the frequency characteristic with the frequency weight corrected for the G characteristic.


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Time course graph (TIME)

In this analysis, the time transition of the observed low-frequency sound power level (LF Level) is displayed as a graph chart. The vertical axis shows the power level and the horizontal axis updates and displays in real time.


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Report

After the completion of the measurement, you can display the report of peak LF Level analysis. It is valid when measured for more than 10 seconds.


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Time course graph : TIME

# low-frequency (LF) Level (dB) : Time course graph. It also shows the noise level judgment at the peak level.

- RED (more than 80 dB) : Very loud

- YELLOW (40 to 80 dB) : Loud (* It may contain prominent specific frequency components. It is possible that specific protrusive low-frequency components are included.)

- GREEN (less than 40 dB) : Moderated


# LF max (dB) : maximum dB value of low-frequency.

It is the maximum dB value of the low-frequency power below 100Hz during measurement. (The observed time is indicated by red line on the graph.)

* In the case of 80dB or more, it is judged unconditionally as low-frequency noise. Between 40 and 80dB, it is judged as low-frequency noise only if there is protrusive noise in a specific band. Rarely, the result report has a value larger than "LF max". Sudden noise or impulsive sounds are not considered low-frequency noise.


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Frequency response graph : OCT

# OCT Band LF max (dB): It is the maximum dB value within 1/3 octave band when "LF max" observation.

Frequency response graph : FFT

# Max Level Frequency (Hz): It is the peak frequency when "LF max" observation.

Snapshot

Tap "Snap" button to save the current measurement display to "Photos". Time information is also imported into the image.

The first time you save an image, the iOS system will ask for permission to access the Photos library.


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Information view

Tap "Info" button to display the product information and function description. The function description can be scrolled vertically.


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Release Note

Version 6.0 was released on September 28, 2023. UTC
Version 5.0 was released on November 20, 2022. UTC
Version 4.0 was released on December 1, 2021. UTC
Version 3.1 was released on February 2, 2021. UTC
Version 3.0 was released on June 19, 2020. UTC
Version 2.0 was released on December 12, 2018. UTC
Version 1.4 was released on May 18, 2018. UTC
Version 1.3 was released on April 17, 2018. UTC
Version 1.2 was released on February 25, 2018. UTC
Version 1.1 was released on May 9, 2017. UTC
Version 1.0 was released on January 26, 2017. UTC

Note

The sound measurement of the low frequency range is a level difference with respect to the reference signal (1kHz sine wave), which indicates the relative power level.
The reference signal is output during calibration and sound level measurement.
Do not change the volume level of iPhone after the calibration.
White line in the OCT and FFT modes indicates frequency characteristics in frequency weight correction of G characteristics.
Since iPhone's built-in microphone has a lower sensitivity on the very low frequency range, it is not recommended to measure a huge volume sound near a very loud noise source.
Since it takes a while for the observation value to stabilize immediately after the start of measurement, the maximum value is calculated from about 2 seconds later.
In the case high power of 1kHz component is included in the measured noise source, the precision of measured value by this app largely decreases.
Sudden noise or impulsive sounds are not low frequency noises in general.
The previous calibration information can be maintained internally.
The analysis results may vary due to individual differences in iPhone devices.
The authorization for access to the built-in microphone and Photos will be confirmed by the iOS system at first access. Please enable access to Microphone and Photos.

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