: Named after Alexander Graham Bell, a decibel is literally one-tenth of a "Bel". The Bel itself was found to be too large for common precision.
Because the scale is logarithmic, you cannot simply add decibel numbers together. Decibel
: Many free apps are available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. While convenient for general checks, they may lack the calibration required for official evidence. : Named after Alexander Graham Bell, a decibel
: Dedicated Sound Level Meters (SPL meters) use calibrated microphones to provide high accuracy for workplace or legal standards. : Many free apps are available on the
: If one sound is significantly louder than another (by 10 dB or more), the quieter sound barely affects the total decibel reading. Measuring Decibels
: A decibel always requires a reference point. In acoustics ( dB SPL ), the reference is
, the threshold of human hearing. In digital audio, (Full Scale) measures signal level relative to the maximum a system can handle before clipping. Examples of Common Decibel Levels