---
title: "SiteHive Noise: what it measures and how"
description: The SiteHive Hexanode Noise device gives you continuous, real-time measurement of sound levels, helping you not just capture data but understand where…
image: https://support.sitehive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/homepageimages/enviro-setup.jpg?width=1200&name=enviro-setup.jpg
---
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2. [Managing environmental aspects](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/managing-environmental-aspects?hsLang=en-au)
# SiteHive Noise: what it measures and how
The **SiteHive Hexanode Noise** device gives you continuous, real-time measurement of sound levels, helping you not just capture data but understand where noise is coming from and how it changes over time.
It is designed for easy deployment, reliable performance and smart insights.
---
### Real-time noise data
The Hexanode Noise device continuously captures and analyses sound, providing **real-time data** on all the key acoustic parameters, so you can identify issues immediately and manage noise impacts effectively.
What each parameter means:
- **LAeq:** the **equivalent continuous sound level**, the average noise level over a set period (15 minutes in the example above) and the main measure used to assess environmental noise compliance.
- **LAmax:** the **maximum noise level** recorded in the period. It identifies peak events such as heavy-vehicle passes or sudden impacts.
- **LA10:** the level exceeded **10% of the time**, often used to describe traffic or intermittent noise.
- **LA90:** the level exceeded **90% of the time**, typically the **background noise** level.
- **LAmin:** the **minimum noise level** recorded, the quietest conditions.
All of these parameters are **calculated automatically** by the Hexanode in real time, so you always have a clear, accurate view of what is happening on site as it happens.
The Hexanode noise device also reports C and Z-weighted noise levels which can be accessed in your [CSV reports](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/export-a-csv-report?hsLang=en-au).
> ℹ️ On **SiteHive Enviro Pro**, you can set the noise aggregation period to 1, 5, 10 or 15 minutes for each Monitoring Point, in the **Setup** tab. See [Click Manage to adjust settings and devices](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/click-manage-to-adjust-settings-and-devices?hsLang=en-au).
---
### Audio and image capture
In each period, the device captures media at the **loudest moment**, the highest LAmax:
- a time-stamped **image**, and
- a **6-second audio clip** around the peak.
Because media follows the peak rather than the first noise over a limit, what you see and hear is the noise that actually drove the level in that period.
On **SiteHive Enviro Pro**, each audio clip is labelled automatically by the [Audio Classifier](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/audio-classifier-what-made-the-noise?hsLang=en-au), for example as works, traffic or background, so you can filter and prioritise what matters.
> ℹ️ **Media trigger level:** media is captured only when the loudest moment in a period is above your media trigger level, which is **55 dB LAmax** by default. This is separate from the thresholds in your [rules](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/set-up-rules-and-notifications?hsLang=en-au), which may use LAeq or other metrics. See [Set up media triggers](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/set-up-media-triggers?hsLang=en-au).
---
### DoA (Direction of Arrival) mapping
The Hexanode Noise uses a **multi-microphone array** to work out the direction noise is coming from. It does this by comparing the tiny differences in when each microphone hears the same sound.
You can see direction in three places:
- **On the map:** arrows show where the loudest noise is coming from at each Monitoring Point.
- **In the DoA chart:** click a Monitoring Point for a circular chart of noise by direction, for the time window you select.
- **With events:** combine direction with the audio and image for an [exceedance](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/events-investigate-an-exceedance?hsLang=en-au) to pin down the likely source quickly.
See [Direction of arrival](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/direction-of-arrival?hsLang=en-au).
---
### Calibration
Every Hexanode Noise and Noise+Dust device is calibrated by SiteHive as standard. Where your project requires it, devices are also available with **NATA-accredited calibration**, verified against:
- **IEC 61672-3:2013** (sound level meters)
- **IEC 61260-1:2019** (octave and fractional-octave filters)
Calibration is traceable and documented, so you can rely on your data for EPA reporting and compliance monitoring. You can order NATA-calibrated devices from SiteHive, which manages the full process so your devices arrive with certificates, or have your devices calibrated by any NATA-accredited lab yourself.
See [Calibration and certificates](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/calibration-and-certificates?hsLang=en-au) for where to find your certificates and how calibration is managed during a deployment.
---
### What's next
[Direction of arrival](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/direction-of-arrival?hsLang=en-au) (the DoA map and chart in detail)
[Set up media triggers](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/set-up-media-triggers?hsLang=en-au) (the LAmax level that captures photos and audio)
[SiteHive Weather: what it measures and how](https://support.sitehive.com/en-au/sitehive-weather-what-it-measures-and-how?hsLang=en-au) (weather context beside your noise data)
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