Pettersson u256 USB Ultrasound Microphone
INTRODUCTION
The u256 USB Ultrasound Microphone enables you to make high-quality, full spectrum recordings of bat calls or other
ultrasonic signals with a wide variety of computers/laptops/tablets/smartphones (referred to as 'computers' below), using the
sound recording software of your choice. The u256 uses standard sound device drivers and does not require installation of
any custom drivers.
The u256 comes in a small and durable aluminium enclosure. It is equipped with a micro-USB plug which allows it to be
connected directly to a smartphone, without the need for a cable. It also ships with a micro-USB to USB type-A adapter, to
which various types of USB cables can be connected, enabling usage of devices with, for example, USB type-C and
Lightning ports.
In order to plug the u256 directly into a USB type-C port, we recommend this adapter:
https://batsound.com/product/micro-
. Other adapters are likely not to work.
The u256 can be connected to iOS/Lightning devices if a “Lightning to USB Camera Adapter” (MD821ZM/A) is used.
Low-noise technology, high sampling frequency and efficient anti-aliasing filter provide high quality recordings.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The u256 works with most operating systems, e.g. Windows, OS X, iOS, Linux and Android, and on most computer devices.
Due to the large number of possible combinations, it is not possible to guarantee full functionality on all computers and
operating systems, though.
Specifically, the hardware and software used to record from the u256 must support recording at a sampling frequency of 256
kHz and a resolution of 16 bits. A USB 2 or USB 3 (OTG/host enabled) with USB bus power is also required. For information
on this, please consult the specifications for the computer and recording software.
In order to reduce the load on the processor and increase the performance, we recommend you to:
Run only the sound recording program/app. Close all other programs/apps, if possible.
Disable anti-virus scanning, if an anti-virus program is used.
Disable computer functions such as WiFi, Bluetooth and Power Saving features. Set the device in "flight
mode", if available.
USING THE u256
Getting started
First, you need a sound recording software. There are quite a few suitable programs - both free and paid - on the market. The
Pettersson BatSound Touch is one example for Windows devices. BatSound Touch Lite is free and can be downloaded from
Pettersson's web site, www.batsound.com. Audacity is another popular program available in versions for Windows, OS X
and Linux. For Android devices, the app 'Bat Recorder' is available at Google Play Store. As mentioned, the program/app
you choose, must support recording via USB at 256 kHz sampling frequency and 16 bits resolution. Most programs have to
be specifically set up to use these recording parameters.
Next, connect the u256 to your device, either directly to a micro-USB port, or to a port of a different type through a suitable
adapter. Usually, the computer will acknowledge this, e.g. with a sound. This process may take a few seconds. The u256 is
now ready to be used.
If no "USB device connected" acknowledgement sound is heard, please disconnect the u256 a few seconds and then connect
it again and wait to let it establish the USB connection.
Please note that some devices may require that you first turn on the USB port in the device's settings menu.
The way recordings are made, depends on the recording software. Please refer to the software manual for information about
this.
