Song Meter SM5 Acoustic Recorder
The Song Meter SM5 Acoustic Recorder is a professional wildlife recorder designed for long-term monitoring of species that vocalise within the audible frequency range, including birds, amphibians and other acoustic wildlife.
Built for extended field deployments, the SM5 features a redesigned IP67-rated weatherproof enclosure, two-channel acoustic recording, built-in GPS, Bluetooth® configuration, and flexible power options. It is supplied with two built-in acoustic stub microphones and can also be used with optional cabled microphones for more flexible survey setups.
The SM5 can be powered using 18650 lithium-ion batteries, D alkaline batteries, or an external power source such as a compatible solar power system, making it suitable for both short-term and long-duration monitoring projects.
Key Features
- Professional two-channel acoustic recorder for audible wildlife monitoring
- Supplied with two built-in acoustic stub microphones
- Supports mono or stereo acoustic recording
- Compatible with optional SMM-A1 and SMM-A2 cabled acoustic microphones
- IP67-rated weatherproof polycarbonate enclosure
- Built-in GPS for recording time and location data
- GPS time synchronisation within 30 microseconds across multiple recorders
- Bluetooth® enabled for setup using the Song Meter Configurator app
- Can also be configured using the on-unit buttons and screen
- Supports quick-start and custom recording schedules
- Compatible with external power and Wildlife Acoustics’ Power Kit
- Expansion port for future custom hardware and accessories
Power Options & Battery Life
- Up to 900 hours of stereo recording with four alkaline D-cell batteries
- Up to 1,710 hours of stereo recording with eleven 18650 lithium-ion batteries
- Battery tray supports 1–6 or 11 x 18650 lithium-ion batteries
- Battery tray also supports 4 x D alkaline batteries
- External power compatible
- Solar power compatible
Battery life figures are based on recording at 24kHz sample rate with the two built-in acoustic microphones. Battery performance may vary depending on settings, conditions and battery type.
Technical Specifications
- Acoustic Channels: 2, mono or stereo
- Built-in Microphones: 2 acoustic stub microphones
- Additional Microphone Ports: 2 ports for optional SMM-A2 cabled microphones
- Microphone Compatibility: Acoustic stub microphones, SMM-A1 and SMM-A2 cabled acoustic microphones
- Recording Format: 16-bit WAV or compressed W4V
- Sample Rates: 8, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz
- Storage: 2 x SDHC/SDXC card slots, up to 2TB each, 4TB total
- Built-in GPS: Yes
- GPS Time Synchronisation: Within 30 microseconds
- Configuration: Song Meter Configurator app for iOS or Android, or on-unit buttons and screen
- Enclosure Material: Polycarbonate
- Weatherproof Rating: IP67, including built-in microphones
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to 85°C
- Dimensions: 191 x 175 x 64mm
- Weight: 1113g with 11 x 18650 batteries, or 1138g with 4 x D alkaline batteries
- Warranty: 3 years, including built-in stub microphones
Configuration & Scheduling
The SM5 can be configured using the Song Meter Configurator app on an iOS or Android phone or tablet. Settings, recording schedules and estimated deployment timelines can be set through the app. The recorder can also be configured directly using the built-in screen and buttons, so a phone or tablet is not required for basic setup.
Please Note
Cabled microphones, batteries, SD cards, Wildlife Acoustics’ Power Kit and other accessories are sold separately.
|
Acoustic channels |
2 (mono or stereo) |
|
Built-in microphones |
2 (stub mics) |
|
Additional microphone ports |
2 (for SMM-A2 cabled mics; sold separately) |
|
Recording format |
16-bit WAV or compressed W4V |
|
Sample rates |
8, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz |
|
Battery life (stereo)* |
Up to 1,330 hours (11 x 18650 Li-ion); |
|
Built-in GPS |
Yes |
|
GPS time sync |
Yes, within 30 microseconds |
|
Memory/storage capacity |
2 SDHC/SDXC up to 2 TB each (4 TB total) |
|
Battery tray capacity |
1-6 or 11 x 18650 lithium-ion; or |
|
Solar power compatible |
Yes, Wildlife Acoustics’ Power Kit and others |
|
External power compatible |
Yes |
|
Cellular remote access capability |
Yes, accessory coming late 2026 |
|
Microphone compatibility |
Acoustic cabled mics (SMM-A2, SMM-A1) |
|
Configuration options |
iOS or Android phone or tablet (Song Meter Configurator app) or on-unit buttons/screen |
|
“Quick start” & custom scheduling |
Yes |
|
Enclosure material |
Polycarbonate |
|
IP67 weatherproof |
Yes, including built-in mics |
|
Operating temperature |
-4°F to +185°F or -20°C to 85°C (batteries may have a narrower operating temperature range) |
|
Dimensions (h x w x d) |
7.5 x 6.9 x 2.5 in 191 x 175 x 64 mm |
|
Weight (with batteries) |
2.45 lbs / 1113 g (11 x 18650); 2.5 lbs / 1138 g (4 x D alkaline) |
|
Warranty |
3 years (including built-in stub mics) |
Delivery & Returns
Shipping is calculated at checkout based on order weight, product type and delivery postcode. Prices exclude VAT.
Delivery times
| UK mainland | 1 to 3 working days for orders placed before 2pm |
| Scotland, Northern Ireland & UK offshore areas | 2 to 5 working days for orders placed before 2pm |
| Europe | 3 to 5 working days for orders placed before 2pm |
| Rest of world | 7 to 14 working days for orders placed before 2pm |
Delivery costs
UK mainland: delivery starts from £7.92.
Highlands and Islands: delivery starts from £25.
Northern Ireland: delivery starts from £20, rising to £90 for orders up to 60kg.
Larger orders, pallet deliveries and some offshore or international deliveries may require a quote.
For European orders, please visit wildcare.eu, call +33 (0)4 65 65 00 05 or email [email protected].
Need it by a certain date?
Please tell us when ordering. For urgent orders, call 01451 833181.
Returns
If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 5 working days.
A Returns Number may be required before sending goods back. Call 01451 833181 or email [email protected].
Please see our full returns policy for more information.
