Sonogram produced by SeaWave software & Ultramic200K

Here is one of the first Sonograms produced using SeaWave 2.0 & Ultramic200K from Dodotronic. I know for a fact, that SeaWave & SeaPro are able to produce much nicer sonograms (I've seen them myself, on the Dodotronic/Ultramic page). But, I will confess - That I haven't got around to reading the whole manual yet...

Here's one, using the default (Gray) settings:
(I don't remember which bat this was)

And, here's one using the '#12 Violet' color scheme:

I haven't studied it very closely yet, but at first glance (and upon hearing the recording) I'd say this was from a Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus).
Both of these bats were picked up at over 40 meters away, using the Ultramic200K.

New bat detector - The SSF BAT2 Detektor

There's a fairly new heterodyne bat detector out now.

It's the 'SSF BAT2 Detektor' It may be ordered from NHBS:

It seems to be a really nice detector. It is actually a dual-detector - in a way. It has both heterodyne and frequency division. But, the frequency division capability is not utilized by the User directly. It exists to provide live frequency data to a spectrum display, of sorts...

I'm glad that I've already seen a bit of feedback, from one user: A Professional/Bat Researcher - And, he stated that although he likes the SSF BAT2, it is not as sensitive as other heterodyne or TE detectors.

This is very interesting to me, as I am constantly comparing the performance of bat detectors. In fact, while we're on the subject - I'd say that is how I started collecting and reviewing bat detectors: It began, as my own personal quest; to find a detector that was able to pick up bats well, from good distances.

In any case, it would be nice to have an opportunity to test and review one!
The Site is in German, but you may easily translate, using babelfish.yahoo.com
The Web page also features a User Manual in English, in PDF format: SSF BAT2 Manual
An informative review of this unit, can be seen on this Gentleman's Blog: Davidsbatblog

I have a new favorite word: Fledermaus! I mean, they tell me - I've been bi-lingual since the age of 2 (English/Italian) but, I like the way it sounds...Fledermaus! (I know, it was also an Opera...)
I'd like to learn to speak Swiss-German...

Time Expansion Bat Detectors!

This post will deal with Time expansion bat detectors - Yay! The "holy grail" of bat detectors! OK, it goes without saying that I'm a bat detector fanatic, and collector. I have been for quite a few years now. And, I have owned many different ultrasonic detectors. I'm speaking for myself here (but I'm sure that many bat detector enthusiasts would agree) - The time expansion detector, is the one that we all hope to own one day.
As time goes by (no pun intended), and your detector collection grows, it seems that the idea of investing in a TE detector is thought of more frequently.

"What's the big deal about time expansion detectors?" I hear you say...  To put it simply, the reason why they are so desirable - Is their ability to record bats and then (have the potential to) positively identify the actual species of bat you recorded!
Let's not forget, however, that with patience and experience - One can use a good heterodyne detector, to identify a few bat species. It takes practice. If you live in Europe, I can recommend The Bat Detective CD & Booklet set, from BatBox. Check it out here: The Bat Detective

In fact, since I may not get around to writing a full review of this set - I'll say this: I recommend it very highly, I think it's awesome! And, it is nowhere near as useful to me, as it would be if I lived in Europe, so...

OK, back to time expansion - When we get right down to it, it's a matter of which one can you afford? If, you have a limited budget (as I do) then, you're always on the look-out for a new TE detector that falls within your budget.

Thankfully, there are some time expansion bat detectors that are now in their prototyping phase, that will cost just a little more than conventional detectors. This is great news! And, I will be sure to inform my readers about them, on the same day they become available!

I suppose it's safe to say, that the even better news - Is that there already is one, which is now officially on the market - Ready to order. It is the Ultramic200K, from Dodotronic, in Italy. As you know, I ordered (a prototype) as soon as it became available. I've been using it ever since, and I really enjoy it's performance. I would just like to add, that at only 200 Euros (+VAT & Shipping) - That I've been able to already start saving up for my next bat detector : )
From what I've read recently: Other owners are enjoying this mic, in the field, as well! I should also note: More than one of these Gentlemen are very experienced, and/or Professional Bat Researchers. And, they have had good things to say about this mic's performance. Excellent.

These days, what I'm looking for, in a bat detector - Is the ability to tell me, with relative certainty, which species of bat I'm picking up.
I mean, this is the ultimate goal, n'est-ce pas? 

I will cover this topic some more, in future posts.

The Wildlife Sound Recording Society

You may want to check out the Spring 2011 edition of The Journal Of The Wildlife Recording Society. 
I wrote a short article, on the subject of getting started with ultrasonic recording.
It's not sold in Newsstands (unfortunately). You must become a Member, in order to receive The Journal.  

Check it out here:
Wildlife Sound Recording Society (UK)  It's a great site to visit, in any case.
You might consider becoming a Member! (If you aren't already!) - Membership Page


I enjoy the benefits of being a Member, and getting to listen to those CDs of Wildlife recordings that show up in my mailbox...  I should warn you: You may find yourself branching out, into making all kinds of wildlife recordings! As for myself, my two favorite groups of animals to record, are still: Bats & Bugs (Singing insects).

Article I wrote for Invertebrates Magazine...Just the first page

Just the first page...

New Ultrasonic Microphones from Avisoft Bioacoustics

USG 116Hnb kit with EP3 electret and USG 116Hn kit with CM16/CMPA microphones from Avisoft Bioacoustics

Many of you may already be familiar with Avisoft Bioacoustics, a manufacturer of high-end bioacoustic recording equipment. I've had the exciting opportunity to test and review two of their brand new, low cost 'Nano' units. Although they may still be considered far from beginner's units (especially with regards to price), I believe experienced Sound Recordists will really like these new kits. Although we've all heard it many times, it bears repeating here: "you get what you pay for" And, this is certainly the case when it comes to these new offerings from Avisoft.
In this case, to give you an idea, of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into each of these units; I'll put it this way: If Sound Devices made bat detectors, they would probably look like these!
Two new kits have just been released, from the Folks at Avisoft. One is the USG 116Hnb kit with EP3 electret microphone, the other is the USG 116Hn kit with CM16/CMPA. These are brand-new recording devices, released this year. These can only be used with the bundled Avisoft-RECORDER USGH software.
As per Raimund Specht, of Avisosft - There will be two different versions:

Part #31170, USG 116Hnb kit with EP3
max sample rate: 300 kHz
electret microphone EP3 (without mic extension cable)
no polarization voltage generator (can be added on request)
fixed gain
Price : 1400 Euros + VAT & customs charges

Product Page 116Hnb

Part #31172, USG 116Hn kit with CM16/CMPA
max sample rate: 750 kHz
with polarization voltage generator
CM16/CMPA condenser mic including 2 m extension cable
gain adjustment knob
Price : 2600 Euros + VAT & customs charges
Note that the CM16/CMPA condenser microphone can only be used with the model 116Hn. The less expensive model 116Hnb does not have the required polarization voltage generator (which could however also be added on request).

Product Page 116Hn

The manuals are available online at

User Guide 116Hnb (PDF)

User Guide 116Hn (PDF)

RECORDER Software Guide (PDF)

You can watch and analyze the recorded .wav files with the free SASLab Lite software that is available from

Setup (Exe)

The USG 116Hnb kit with EP3 electret microphone kit, is very compact; so it's very portable. It was the first unit to the "test bench". It is supplied in a nice foam lined carry case, along with a gold-plated USB cable. An XLR extension cable was also provided, with the review samples, to facilitate remote placement of the actual mic units.

The Avisoft recording software is amazing, and exactly what one would expect from a world-class bioacoustic lab. While it has enough features to keep one busy experimenting for weeks, it also is not difficult to get up and running. However, I must stress; that it is imperative that you read the User Guide. You will not be able to make any successful bat recordings without consulting the manual, for software configuration.
Along with a full, spiral-bound User's Guide; the recording devices are supplied with a pamphlet-style User's Guide. This is similar to a "Quick-Start" Guide and is very convenient for quick reference. But again, make sure that you keep the full-sized User Guide close by. Installation of the software and hardware is fairly easy. A unique business-card-sized USB drive is provided, which is loaded with Avisoft software, and a bat call library.

Unfortunately, I had nothing but non-stop rain and wind during the evaluation period. So, sadly, I cannot comment on the actual performance of the prototype kits that I was supplied with.
But, these are definitely bat detectors to keep an eye on, for the near future.

"To All The Detectors I've Loved Before"

; ) In this post, I'd like to sum up, and provide min-reviews of bat detectors I've owned in the past. Some have been sold, others were given to friends as gifts. In any case, these are just some of the first detectors I had, that are no longer part of my collection. Beginning with my first bat detector:


The Belfry Bat Detector Kit - This simple ultrasonic detector was originally available in kit form. Not sure if it still is, or if you can only purchase a pre-built version. Not recommended. The quality of the printed circuit board provided was very poor. For the short time that the detector worked: It produced only simple clicks, to represent the ultrasonic calls of bats within range. The components provided are all low-cost. The unit failed on me, during a very exciting bat walk (through Central Park, NY). Not due to my assembly, by the way (I'm a certified Electronics Engineer) -but- due to a thin, cheap, circuit board trace coming loose from the board. Not only was it a huge disappointment, for one of my first bat walks, but it was also embarrassing!
In fact, I'm reluctant to even provide the link to this one, but I will - So that you know which one to avoid! Belfry detector Don't waste your time.

The Simple Detector Kit - From Tony Messina (a really nice guy! and a pillar of the North American bat hobbyist community). Now this is an entry-level detector kit that I can recommend! I really loved building these kits - I believe I've built 3 or 4, in total. Tony provides a high-quality printed circuit board that is very sturdy & well-made. A lot of thought was put in to the producing and offering of this circuit. It's neat, runs off a standard 9-volt battery (for a while!) and fits in just about any pocket. The Simple Detector Kit, is geared towards folks who have experience building simple electronic kits. There is a thorough Parts List on his site: Tony Messina's Page  One would order a PCB or two, from Tony - Then place an order from your favorite electronic component supplier. Such as: DigiKey, Maplin, Mouser, etc. Only basic soldering skills and a drill are required. Listening can be done with a simple earphone; or as I mostly used mine: With a mono audio cable, leading to a "voice-activated" recorder (for un-attended monitoring of nightly bat activity).
The unit is a frequency division type detector, in this case, it divides the echolocation calls by 10.
Did I mention they were fun to assemble? ; )


The Magenta MkIIb - A nice, adjustable heterodyne bat detector. Not terribly expensive, and it's fairly sensitive. Again, un-attended monitoring of nightly bat activity is possible, by using the Headphone jack.
By using a mono audio cable, leading to a "voice-activated" recorder. The detector is a little on the large side, definitely won't fit in any normal-sized pockets. It is probably the largest, most bulky detector I've owned.
The "b" in the model name, represents the fact that it is Built. These days, this model is only available in kit form, which needs to be assembled. All parts, etc. are included: Magenta MkII


The Ciel CDB205 - This was one of my favorite bat detectors. It is an FD (Frequency Division) detector. It has very good sensitivity, and yes, it looks very cool! The two green button switches on the right-hand-side: Both the Power on, and the (white LED) "torch" buttons are internally illuminated. It is very comfortable to hold, in the hand. And, I've used it extensively, for un-attended monitoring (and recording) of nightly bat activity. Ciel electronique

I have owned/and/or built other bat detectors as well, but they are either no longer available or difficult to get the required parts for - So, I have not listed them. Now that I've posted my thoughts on all the detectors that I've previously owned & used - I can go forward with reviews of all present and future detectors.

Happy bat detecting!

Future Bat Detector: Dodotronic's New BoxRecorder!

A brand-new device is "in the works" from Dodotronic... It sounds and looks very promising!

Since it is still in the prototyping/testing phase, we will just have to wait and see...

What we do know so far, is that it will be able to record on multiple SD cards.

And, we have some very interesting preliminary specifications:
(these are still subject to change)

- 200K per second sample rate.
- True 16 bits resolution.
- Frequency range 10~100 KHz.
- High quality and low noise analog amplification.
- Variable anti aliasing filter.
- USB connector for configuration.
- 32 bit 80 MHz integrated microcontroller.

You may visit their page, to check on the status of the upcoming BoxRecorder Here.
Update 5/22/11: The specs are changing (getting better)...my prediction for this detector? It's going to be cool!!