Andy, I should have clarified that with any computer program you can use multiple mics for metering different zones via as you said splitting the signals. Which is an advantage over a
hand held
meter because you can get readings at
FOH without walking around. And it's not always possible to have a runner walk around and gather readings (particularly theater and formal settings you can't walk around). You mentioned that
Smaart SPL
meter is not accurate without calibrating (obviously, nothing is accurate unless it's calibrated). But is there a reason why one would not calibrate their
smaart rig before use?
As for the galaxy
unit, the 125Hz cut-off normally wouldn't be that big of a deal for a cheap
meter. But for $50 that's skimping. Even though your low freqs require lots of
power, they don't have the volume and
throw like your higher freqs will. When working with volume limits, it's usually the HFs that cause the disturbances to your neighbors (HF travel futher/directional, LF tend to emit in all directions and are tougher to
throw). So it's not always the
bass that is creating all that volume. Think about it, why is a snare louder than the kick? HF travel more than LF. I'd advise not to get the galaxy if you have limits set on you, and plus it's $50
meter (~10 bucks more than the radioshack) that probably cuts off way before the 'shack
unit does. The
unit will do the trick if just want to know what you're hitting for the hell of it.
I forgot to include one thing. When mixing under volume limits, the method/policy of measurement is often not at the engineer's discretion. So getting a
meter just for this app isn't the greatest move unless you know all promoters you work with will accept you're measuring methods/standards. So if you're looking for something to cope with limits, check with your promoter or local standards. But then again, it's only 50 bucks, and it's nice to
play around with. But it's word will not always be interpreted the way you'd like it to.