About
Open Acoustic Devices develops and supports AudioMoth, an ultra-affordable, open-source acoustic recorder purpose-built for biodiversity monitoring, bioacoustics research, and environmental sensing. AudioMoth is a small, versatile device capable of recording audio across a wide frequency range—including ultrasound—making it ideal for detecting bats, birds, insects, and other wildlife. The platform is fully open-source, with hardware schematics, firmware, and configuration software freely available for customization and community contribution. The AudioMoth ecosystem includes dedicated desktop configuration applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, alternative community firmware for specialized use cases, and integration with platforms such as Arbimon for large-scale bioacoustic analysis. Comprehensive documentation, application notes, datasheets, and an active support forum make it accessible to both newcomers and experienced researchers. AudioMoth devices are available globally through official distributors (GroupGets in the US, LABMAKER in the EU) and directly from the Open Acoustic Devices shop for UK customers. The project is backed by peer-reviewed publications and has been deployed in conservation projects on every continent. It is an essential tool for ecologists, conservation biologists, environmental consultants, and citizen scientists seeking an affordable, hackable solution for passive acoustic monitoring.
Key Features
- Low-Cost Open-Source Hardware: AudioMoth is an affordable, fully open-source acoustic recorder with published hardware schematics, enabling customization and large-scale deployments.
- Wide Frequency Range Recording: Capable of recording audio including ultrasound frequencies, making it suitable for detecting bats, insects, birds, and other wildlife.
- Free Configuration Software: Dedicated desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux allow easy scheduling, gain settings, and firmware updates without coding knowledge.
- Alternative & Community Firmware: Supports community-developed alternative firmware for specialized recording scenarios and extended functionality beyond the default configuration.
- Arbimon & Ecosystem Integration: Integrates with Arbimon and other bioacoustic analysis platforms for large-scale species identification and soundscape analysis.
Use Cases
- Passive bat detection and population monitoring across wide geographic areas using affordable, deployable AudioMoth units.
- Bird and amphibian biodiversity surveys in remote or difficult-to-access habitats where continuous unattended recording is needed.
- Long-term soundscape ecology studies measuring environmental health and acoustic biodiversity indices over months or years.
- Anti-poaching acoustic surveillance in conservation areas to detect gunshots, chainsaws, or other threats.
- Citizen science campaigns where volunteers deploy AudioMoth devices to contribute to regional wildlife monitoring datasets.
Pros
- Truly Open Source: Hardware, firmware, and software are all open-source, giving researchers and developers full freedom to inspect, adapt, and extend the platform.
- Affordable at Scale: Low unit cost enables large-scale passive monitoring deployments that would be cost-prohibitive with commercial alternatives.
- Strong Community & Documentation: Backed by peer-reviewed publications, detailed application notes, datasheets, and an active support forum with a global user community.
Cons
- Hardware Purchase Required: Unlike purely software tools, AudioMoth requires purchasing physical hardware, which adds shipping time and upfront cost.
- Technical Setup Learning Curve: Optimal configuration for specific species or environments may require familiarity with acoustic recording concepts and firmware options.
- Limited AI-Automated Analysis: On-device processing is minimal; species identification and advanced analysis rely on external platforms or user-supplied software pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AudioMoth?
AudioMoth is a low-cost, open-source acoustic monitoring device developed by Open Acoustic Devices. It is used for passive recording of wildlife sounds—including ultrasound—for bioacoustics research and environmental monitoring.
Where can I buy an AudioMoth device?
AudioMoth is available worldwide from GroupGets (US) and LABMAKER (EU). UK customers can purchase directly from the Open Acoustic Devices Shop. For bulk or special enquiries, contact [email protected].
Is AudioMoth software free to use?
Yes. All configuration software, firmware source code, and related tools are freely available and open-source, so there is no software licensing cost.
Can I record ultrasound with AudioMoth?
Yes. AudioMoth supports recording at frequencies well above the range of human hearing, making it widely used for bat detection and other ultrasonic monitoring applications.
What platforms does the AudioMoth configuration app support?
The official AudioMoth configuration application is available as a desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
