The Ultimate Long-Haul Acoustic Recorder
COMING: Early 2026
The top-of-the-line recorder for professional ecologists studying wildlife that vocalize within the audible range.The all-new SM5 can record birds in the canopy, amphibians in the understory, and much more—and it does so while delivering the best battery performance on the market.
Featuring a redesigned enclosure that accommodates both lithium-ion and alkaline batteries, and a port for external power (such as solar), the SM5 delivers two-channel acoustic recording in a kit that’s made for long-term deployments.
Eighteen years of proven field experience and listening intently to customer feedback have all been leading to this: now hear more, haul less, and streamline your workflow with the Song Meter SM5.
Key Features & Benefits:
Key Features
Deploy for longer, power your way.
Class-leading battery performance for when deployments run long. Choose lithium-ion or alkaline batteries, thanks to a re-engineered, flexible enclosure that accommodates either, or opt for solar (or another external source) to power your setup. Compatible with our solar Power Kit.*
Rugged setup, field-ready performance.
All-new, reimagined IP67 weatherproof enclosure and microphones (with integrated mic tester) for a reliable setup in any terrestrial environment.
Microphone options for flexible listening.
Record with stub mics, cabled mics, or a combination thereof for multi-taxa surveys spanning varying heights and distances. Comes with two built-in acoustic stub mics and the ability to add up to two cabled SMM-A2 mics for mono or stereo recording.*
Onboard GPS, real-time metadata.
Built-in GPS/GLONASS antenna precisely records your time and location, enabling time synchronization within 30 microseconds across multiple recorders. Use this data to perform localization calculations and accurately pinpoint where an animal was calling.
Bluetooth®-enabled, hassle-free configuration.
Now compatible with the Song Meter Configurator app for easy wireless programming via your iOS/Android device. Change settings, create schedules, and get estimated deployment timelines.
Future-proof design, remote access.
Brand-new expansion port for cellular remote access accessory (coming late 2026), enabling data download, recorder status checks, and settings adjustments. This feature will also support customer-created electronics for edge analysis.
*Cabled mics, Power Kit, and other accessories are sold separately.
Technical Specifications:
| Acoustic channels | 2 (mono or stereo) |
| Built-in microphones | 2 (stub mics) |
| Built-in mic tester | Yes |
| 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); Up to 700 hours (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 | Acoustic cabled mics (SMM-A2, SMM-A1) Acoustic stub mics |
| 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 in191 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) |
| Price | $799 USD (including built-in stub mics) |
| Warranty | 3 years (including built-in stub mics) |
