What calibration actually compares
The ambient stage measures a few seconds of relative microphone signal. The noise estimate combines an upper percentile of peaks, their spread and background RMS. Samples are short transients screened for a sharp rise, crest and high-frequency energy. These are signal features, not sound-pressure measurements or weapon recognition.
The threshold sits between the measured noise ceiling and the quietest accepted sample when separation allows it. This is more useful than choosing a fixed percentage below one loud peak. The signal bars show relative levels on this input, not calibrated decibels.
Understand your result
- Good separation: three unclipped representative samples stand clearly above the measured background. Future noise may still trigger it.
- Provisional: fewer than three usable samples. The setting is based on limited evidence.
- Borderline: samples are only moderately separated, or clipping reduces confidence. Review results carefully and consider a quieter location.
- Too noisy: noise and samples overlap, or there is insufficient audio. The wizard will not label this calibrated or let you adopt an unreliable setting.
Indoor and outdoor profiles
Indoor reflections can produce repeated transients. Outdoor wind can raise the noise floor. Placement, microphone orientation, protective cases and automatic phone processing can change the signal. Save Indoor and Outdoor profiles for convenience, then recalibrate when the environment or device changes.
Fewer false triggers or quieter events?
Move toward Fewer false triggers to raise the event gate; quieter valid events may be missed. Move toward Detect quieter shots to lower the gate; background sounds may be accepted. Test sensitivity listens briefly at the proposed setting without saving audio or counting the test as a practice session.
Can calibration reject other shooters?
Not reliably when their sounds overlap yours. No threshold can separate two similar transients just because one came from your position. Pause, find a less noisy setting if permitted, review false events, or use the no-microphone Par Timer. Return to the Shot Timer when ready.