The Song Meter SM5BAT Ultrasonic Recorder is a professional wildlife recorder designed for simultaneous bat and acoustic wildlife monitoring. Featuring four independent recording channels, the SM5BAT can record ultrasonic bat activity and audible wildlife such as birds and amphibians at the same time, making it an ideal solution for multi-taxa surveys.
Built on Wildlife Acoustics' latest recorder platform, the SM5BAT combines low-noise microphones, advanced triggering technology, GPS synchronisation, flexible power options and a rugged IP67-rated enclosure for long-term deployments in challenging field conditions.
The recorder is supplied with one built-in ultrasonic microphone and one built-in acoustic microphone. Additional microphone ports allow further expansion using compatible acoustic and ultrasonic microphones, providing flexible deployment options for a wide range of ecological survey applications.
Key Features
- Four independent recording channels
- Two ultrasonic channels and two acoustic channels
- Simultaneous ultrasonic and acoustic recording
- Supplied with one built-in ultrasonic microphone and one built-in acoustic microphone
- Compatible with SMM-U1 and SMM-U2 ultrasonic microphones
- Compatible with SMM-A2 cabled acoustic microphones and acoustic stub microphones
- Low-noise microphones for detecting quiet and distant calls
- Advanced triggering technology designed to record more bat activity
- Adjustable noise-scrubbing technology to help remove false triggers
- Built-in GPS for location tagging and precise time synchronisation
- GPS synchronisation within 30 microseconds across multiple recorders
- Bluetooth® enabled for wireless configuration using the Song Meter Configurator app
- Can also be configured directly using the onboard buttons and display
- IP67-rated weatherproof enclosure and microphones
- Compatible with external power supplies and solar power systems
- Expansion port for future accessories and custom hardware integration
Long Deployment Performance
The SM5BAT supports a range of battery configurations and external power options, making it suitable for both short-term surveys and extended monitoring projects.
- Up to 170 ten-hour nights of single-channel ultrasonic recording using eleven 18650 lithium-ion batteries
- Up to 90 ten-hour nights of single-channel ultrasonic recording using four D alkaline batteries
- Up to 165 ten-hour nights of dual-channel ultrasonic recording using eleven 18650 lithium-ion batteries
- Up to 85 ten-hour nights of dual-channel ultrasonic recording using four D alkaline batteries
- Supports 1–6 or 11 x 18650 lithium-ion batteries
- Supports 4 x D alkaline batteries
- Compatible with external power sources and solar power systems
Technical Specifications
- Ultrasonic Channels: 2 independently triggered
- Acoustic Channels: 2 (mono or stereo)
- Built-in Microphones: 1 ultrasonic and 1 acoustic
- Additional Microphone Ports: 2
- Simultaneous Acoustic & Ultrasonic Recording: Yes
- Recording Formats: Full-spectrum WAV and/or Zero Crossing (ZC)
- Ultrasonic Sample Rates: 256, 384 and 500kHz
- Acoustic Sample Rates: 8, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz
- Storage: Dual SDHC/SDXC card slots
- Maximum Storage Capacity: 2 x 2TB cards (4TB total)
- Built-in GPS: Yes
- GPS Time Synchronisation: Within 30 microseconds
- Battery Options: 1–6 or 11 x 18650 lithium-ion batteries, or 4 x D alkaline batteries
- External Power Compatible: Yes
- Solar Compatible: Yes
- Enclosure Material: Polycarbonate
- Weatherproof Rating: IP67, including built-in microphones
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to 85°C
- Dimensions: 191 x 175 x 64mm
- Weight: 1109g (with 11 x 18650 batteries) / 1134g (with 4 x D alkaline batteries)
- Warranty: 3 years, including built-in microphones
Configuration & Scheduling
The SM5BAT can be configured using the free Song Meter Configurator app for iOS and Android devices, allowing settings, schedules and deployment estimates to be created wirelessly. The recorder can also be configured directly using the built-in controls and display, so a smartphone or tablet is not required.
Both quick-start and fully customised recording schedules are supported, allowing the recorder to be tailored to a wide variety of survey requirements.
Please Note
The SM5BAT is supplied with one built-in ultrasonic microphone and one built-in acoustic microphone. Additional microphones, batteries, SD cards, external power cables, Wildlife Acoustics' Power Kit and other accessories are available separately.
|
Ultrasonic channels |
2 independently triggered |
|
Acoustic channels |
2 (mono or stereo) |
|
Built-in microphones |
2 (1 ultrasonic + 1 acoustic) |
|
Built-in mic tester |
Yes |
|
Simultaneous ultrasonic/acoustic recording |
Yes |
|
Recording formats |
Full-spectrum WAV and/or ZC |
|
Sample rates (ultrasonic) |
256, 384, 500kHz |
|
Sample rates (acoustic) |
8, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz |
|
Advanced recording technology |
Low-noise microphones Advanced triggering |
|
Battery life: two-channel, multi-band triggered ultrasonic recording (more detailed)* |
Up to 150 ten-hour nights (11 x 18650 Li-ion); Up to 70 ten-hour nights (4 x alkaline D cell) |
|
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 4 x D alkaline |
|
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 |
Ultrasonic cabled mics (SMM-U2, SMM-U1) Acoustic cabled mics (SMM-A2) |
|
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 5.3 x 2.5 in 191 x 134 x 64 mm |
|
Weight (with batteries) |
2.44 lb / 1109 g (11 x 18650); 2.5 lb / 1134 g (4 x D alkaline) |
|
Warranty |
3 years (including built-in 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.
