NEW: Song Meter® SM5BAT
The Everything Recorder
COMING: Early 2026
A must-have for professional ecologists, the all-new SM5BAT captures it all: bats, birds, and everything in between—all at once. And it does it while delivering the best battery performance on the market.
Completely reimagined and reengineered, the SM5BAT integrates Wildlife Acoustics’ advanced technologies to deliver four independent recording channels (two ultrasonic + two acoustic) while offering a range of power configuration options, including solar, lithium-ion, and alkaline batteries.
Eighteen years of proven field experience and listening intently to customer feedback have all been leading to this: hear more, haul less, and streamline your workflow with the SM5BAT.
Key Features & Benefits:
Key Features
Four channels, zero compromises.
Two bat recorders and a stereo bird recorder allow you to perform multi-taxa surveys with one, do-it-all device. Includes two built-in microphones—one ultrasonic and one acoustic—that allow you to record bats and birds at the same time. Add a second ultrasonic mic for two independently triggered bat channels.
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 acoustic and ultrasonic mic tester) for a reliable setup in any terrestrial environment.
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 programming via your iOS/Android device. Select 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.
Advanced recording technology
Low-noise mics detect even quiet and distant calls; advanced triggering records more bats; and “noise-scrubbing” technology removes false triggers (sound files without bats) if they occur.
The result? You record more bats and less noise, and save time in analysis.
*SM5BAT comes with one built-in ultrasonic mic and one built-in acoustic mic. Cabled mics, stub mics, Power Kit, and other accessories are sold separately.
Technical Specifications:
| 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 microphonesAdvanced triggering Noise-scrubbing (adjustable) |
| 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) 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 5.3 x 2.5 in191 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) |
| Price | $1,049 USD (including built-in mics) |
| Warranty | 3 years (including built-in mics) |
