Bow noise and sound meter

[UrsusNil]

I picked up a new Bear Super Kodiak a couple months ago, love it. I shoot this bow better than any other I've owned. After getting a Mountain Muff string and puffs I got the bow tuned and it still seems a bit loud. The string is quiet, but there is still a thump at the shot.

Just for kicks I downloaded an app called Sound Meter. I went outside and placed the phone about four feet away, elbow height. According to the app my bow noise is 80 dB. I also have a Mahaska longbow, it's not really tuned but I shot it anyways. It has a bit of noise, but to me is not as loud as the SK. The Mahaska comes in at 80 dB. I put some tarantula silencers on the Mahaska and it still shoots at 80 dB. Again, that's not tuned, but I thought it was interesting.

Anyone else try measuring their bow noise with an app? What dB are you getting for your bow?

[KentuckyWolf]

Have not tried that app. Sounds like you need to verify that it works. Get another cellphone to set next to it and use one of the online hearing test to check the app.

[Gdpolk]

That sounds like the phone app may not have quite the sensitivity needed to get an accurate read.  Also worth noting is while less noise is objectively always better for hunting, the pitch and sound quality of the noise your bow makes is oftentimes more influential on game animals than the presence of noise.  Animals hear sudden noises all the time such as acorns dropping, thunder crashing, limbs falling, squirrels hopping around, etc.  Having a bow that sounds like a natural sound, such as a deep pitched "thud" that sounds like a fat acorn hitting soft ground, results in far less string jumping/alerting than bows which sound out of place, such as a high pitched THWACK of the string on a limb followed by a WHOOSH of the string followed by the PING-TEEEEEEWWWAAANNNNGGG tuning fork noise of a badly vibrating string combined with a little wrist slap POP. 

[old_goat2]

I tried one of those apps several years ago, didn't work then, they might have improved since then. Back then all the apps available to the best of my knowledge took sound samples ever so many seconds not continually, and when it took it, it took it for a split second and only caught ambient noise, so unless you got winning the lottery lucky, there was no way to time the shot to measure the noise level. Sounds like the one you have works better than what I tried though since you caught a fairly significant noise event.

[UrsusNil]

Very true that the dB level is only one aspect of sound. While both bows measure the same to that meter, they sound very different.

This app measures continually. I turned it on during a conversation with my mom and son and the dB level was roughly in the area as my bows, 60-80.

I've had deer in the yard while I was shooting into the target block. It was hard to tell, but they seemed to react more to the arrows hitting the target block than the noise of the bow. But these are "yard deer", they are very accustomed to human sound.

The apps are free, so I think I'll try a different one and see what it comes up with.

What's funny is that I always thought my Mahaska longbow and recurve were dead quiet. It wasn't until I started listening for noise that I even noticed them. I wonder if the noise in my SK is not really as loud as I think it is, just different than other bows I'm used to. I've never had a FF string on any bow I've owned, the sound just might be different than the B50 strings. I'm going to have my brother shoot the SK so I can hear it from a couple yards away.

[Terry Green]

I try to hunt as appless as possible 

[Pine]

I try to hunt as appless as possible 

Kinda like a Traditional Archer? 

[UrsusNil]

I try to hunt as appless as possible 

Kinda like a Traditional Archer? 

I know, I feel so dirty!

I guess I'm just out of ideas with this Super Kodiak, I'd really like to get it more quiet.

[Cari-bow]

I tried one more to compare 2 bow types.
Not sure they measure the same from phone to phone. The one I loaded measures continuously.
I had told a customer that I thought my longbow compared to my recurve (static tip)was very close to the same in noise. Although they did sound different to me and others. After the conversation I thought I would try an app. Well after testing it out with both a 60" longbow and a 60" static tip recurve both the same weight .I also used the same arrow out of both bows. I found that the recurve was consistently quieter by a couple of decibels.
I had lower numbers then you but that I'm sure it could vary from app to app or phone.
This kind of a test when your comparing 2 bows or shooting styles (split-3 under) might be its best application. I also seen variations how you hold the bow (tight- loosely).

[Terry Green]

Hey Cari.......

 I've shot your bows before, you don't need to worry about them being loud......cause they ain't! 

[UrsusNil]

Cari, your bows are incredible! Functional (and rumored to be quiet) works of art.

With this Super Kodiak, everything checks out. Got the bow tuned, POC arrows are about 520 grains, got a Mountain Muffler string and wool (which are awesome!), and my form is pretty good. I'm thinking my nocks are too tight. Gonna try sanding them down a little for a looser fit.

After that I'm done worrying about it!

[Cari-bow]

Terry
The reason I downloaded the app was just to satisfy my belief. It's easy to come up with a thought but it's also satisfying to find out you might be right.

As for these apps I think one should understand the best use is for your own comparisons. As soon as you ask what others are getting out of there phones things could change. Everyone shoots a little different,draw length, arrow weight and then the conditions the test was done.
Most everyone on here probably uses string silencers at least on there hunting bows. So we are concerned with noise. Look at the threads and comments on bow noise or the lack of noise (whisper quiet). It just fun to see what that means.Talking on my app registers around 80 plus decibels. I have not tested whispering yet.

Now will this change tradhunting I doubt it. Animals frame of mind plays a much bigger role in there reactions then a few decibels.
If it were easy why would we continue discussing what could make a difference.

[Terry Green]

I hear ya Abe....but I don't hear your bows. 

If someone shoots your bow and its  loud, an "app" ain't gonna fix it......that's an operator error not your bows.

E.T. all.... Caribows are NOT LOUD....And they are great performing works of art. I have shot several and wish I had one.

I guess I should have stayed out this thread 

[Petrichor]

What brace height you running? Fur silencers are great but I have better luck with cat whiskers. Sometimes two pairs. Low brace on a recurve can cause the string to really twang. I usually have my bears at about 8".

[UrsusNil]

What brace height you running? Fur silencers are great but I have better luck with cat whiskers. Sometimes two pairs. Low brace on a recurve can cause the string to really twang. I usually have my bears at about 8".

8.25" is the brace that seems to work best with this bow.
Never tried the cat whiskers. I'm happy with the Mountain Muffler products, they do a great job of dampening the string vibration. It's more of a "bump" noise that I hear. I sanded the nocks on my arrows a bit more, haven't shot them yet.

I need to stand back and listen to it while someone else shoots it. My brother shoots traditional, I need to catch up with him soon and get him to take a few shots, as well as have him listen while I shoot.

[Petrichor]

Might also try a feather rest if your not. I have had those quiet down a recurve thump also.

[UrsusNil]

Shot some arrows after loosening the nocks a bit, and it sounded more quiet, also seemed to shoot a little better too. Both are subjective, could have just been "on" today.

Interesting though, the sound meter shows no change, still at 80 dB. No matter to me, the confidence in my equipment is there and that's good enough!