Sound Level Meter Class1 NL-52

Sound Level Meter Class2 NL-42

Measure Sounds Reliably

Sound Level Meter Sound Level Meter
Class1 Class2
NL-52 NL-42
 Extremely User Friendly
Rion’s NL-52 and NL-42
sound level meters provide full support
for the measurement process.
250 mm
The NL-52 and NL-42 were developed to 9.85 inch
eliminate the trouble of reading instructions
when conducting measurements.
Large and easily viewable three-inch LCD color display.
The unit (except for the microphone) is water-resistant,
which means that it is unaffected by sudden rain showers.
You can use rechargeable batteries to help cut down on waste,
making this an environmentally friendly product.

Equipped with
non-slip rubber grips

Large color LCD screen

Three-inch LCD screen with a touch panel
High resolution screen is easy to see indoors or
outdoors and even in the dark.

Variety of ｴ/O Connections

SD Card slot

Bottom view

AC adapter USB terminal (USB mini B) (Full scale)

RS-232C Input / output AC output DC output
terminals terminal terminal
2 (φ2.5 mono jack)
No paper manual is needed.
The manual and a help function
can be easily accessed on the device.

Measurement Display Measurement Display Parameter Screen Manu screen Help screen
(T-L graph) (Main and Sub Simultaneous Displays)

Water-resistant (Except for the microphone) Use of rechargeable batteries

In these new models it is possible to use rechargeable
Guaranteed water-resistant to at least level
batteries which make these meters environmentally-friendly.
ｴP54 (resistant to spraying water). 24 hour continuous measurement ispossible
Helps reduce failures caused by sudden rain showers.
(when using dry alkaline batteries).

＊Mounting the outdoor windscreen and rainproof windscreen

helps raise the water-resistant performance of the entire unit,
so that the microphone will also meet ｴPX3 specifications.

Continuous detailed measurements for one month

This meter can be used to conduct Duration of recording
long-term measurements, such as 1000 h (approx. one month)
environmental measurements. NL-52/42
(If an AC adapter is used) Previous model 200 h (approx. one week)
If the LP is measured at 100 ms intervals and the Leq is simultaneously measured at 10 m intervals
Example of detailed recording
over a 24 h period, the total size of accumulated data is approximately 74 MB (reference value)

Functionality can be extended by a

range of options
Additional functions can be
added, such as simultaneous
logging of raw data (100 ms Lp)
and processed data(Leq and
other indices), frequency
analysis and long-term data
recording.

1/3 octave band Analysis screen Data management screen using AS-60 software
analysis screen (x40)

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 Optional program function list
When the optional programs are installed, the following functions are added:

Extended function program The NX-42EX is supplied on the 512 MB SD

card. The 512 MB SD card can be used as a
NX-42EX memory card after installing the program.

Adds a number of programs. NX-42EX

When NX-42EX is installed＊, Auto store function (instantaneous value, processed value)
NX-42WR, NX-42RT and NX-42FT
Comparator function
can be added.
Continuous data output function

NX-42EX +
+ Program type
NX-42WR NX-42RT NX-42FT
NX-42WR Additional function
Real sound monitor
(waveform recording)
NX-42RT
Octave, 1/3 octave band
analysis
NX-42FT Octave, 1/3 octave band
filter output
FFT analysis
＊The NX-42EX program cannot be uninstalled.

Auto store function

This function enables continuous measurement in Lp mode (instantaneous SPL) and Leq mode (equivalent
continuous SPL) to be conducted simultaneously.
Total measuring time of Auto store function Up to 1 000 h   Equipped with a timer function

Lp mode (instantaneous SPL) and Leq mode (equivalent continuous SPL) concept

Lp mode Leq mode Lp store cycle Leq processing cycle Measurement data
that can be acquired
(Auto 1) (Auto 2)
*Auto 1 and Auto 2 are the store modes used in existing products.

Level

Time

Simultaneous recording in both Lp mode (Auto 1) and Leq mode (Auto 2)

Comparator function
This function turns on when the Factory Windscreen for outdoor
open collector output exceeds the
Measurement room
set value (max. applied voltage
24 V, max. current 60 mA,
allowable dissipation 300 mW).

Open collector output

NL-52/42

Continuous data output function

This function enables the continuous acquisition of instantaneous values and processed values during both USB and
RS-232C communication.
This is a convenient function for users who can design their own control programs, such as a program to be used as
an indicator.

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 The NX-42WR is supplied on the 2 GB SD card.
Waveform recording program The 2 GB SD card can be used as a memory
NX-42WR card after installing the program.
This function enables users to record sounds and processing Maximum recording time (16 bit)
sound to process sound levels simultaneously. Recorded data Sampling frequency
Memory card
512 MB 2 GB
can be played on computer and used for frequency analysis. 48 kHz 1h 4h
(Uncompressed waveform WAVE file)
24 kHz 2h 8h
Sampling at 48 kHz, 24 kHz, 12 kHz, Selection of 24 bit or 16 bit 12 kHz 4h 16 h

Recording concept

Manual recording Interval recording

Recording Recording Recording
Recording zone interval interval interval
Recording
Recording Recording Recording time
time time time

Pre-recording Recording

Start Start Stop Stop Start Stop

measurement recording recording measurement measurement measurement
Level recording Total recording

Recording time Recording time

(File section time) (File section time) (File section time) (File section time)
Post-recording
Trigger level

(fixed at 5 seconds)

Pre-recording
(fixed at 1 second)

Start Start trigger Start measurement Stop measurement

measurement Store data
＊Up to four trigger levels at different time intervals can be set.

Octave, 1/3 octave real-time By adding a program to the NL-52/NL-42, octave band and 1/3 octave band analysis
can be performed. Saved analysis results can be loaded and shown in an overlay
analysis program graph display together with current analysis data. NC curve graph display and NC
NX-42RT value calculation/display are also possible. Using the AS-60RT software, data can
be utilized and managed on a computer.

Oct・1/3 Oct RTA

Program

The NX-42RT is
supplied on the
512 MB SD card.
The 512 MB SD
card can be used
as a memory card
after installing the
program.

1/3 octave band Overlay analysis NC curve screen Partial over all Measurement
analysis screen screen screen screen (T-L graph)

FFT analysis program By adding a program to the NL-52/NL-42, FFT analysis can be performed.
NX-42FT The analysis frequency range is 20 kHz, with 8 000 spectrum lines (200 displayed).
Saved analysis results can be loaded and shown in an overlay graph display
together with current analysis data. Maximum zoom ratio is x40, and the top list
screen can show up to 20 lines.

FFT Analysis
Program

The NX-42FT is
supplied on the
512 MB SD card.
The 512 MB SD
card can be used
as a memory card
after installing the
program.

Analysis screen (x1) Analysis screen (x40) Overlay analysis Linear average Top list screen
screen screen
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 System construction

PUSH

OFF
ON

SD Card
Sound calibrator
NC-74 USB cable (A -mini B)
Computer
Optional program
NX-42EX Microphone RS232C Serial ｴ/O cable
extension cables
NX-42WR CC-42R
NX-42RT EC-04 (from 2 m)
NX-42FT
Multi-channel
BNC-mini plug cable CC-24 Data recorder signal analyzer Level recorder
DA-20/40 SA-02 LR-07
Comparator output cable CC-42C

AC adapter
NC-98C Sound Level Meter
Class1
NL-52
Sound Level Meter Printer
Printer cable CC-42P
Battery pack Class2 DPU-414
BP-21 NL-42

Peripheral devices
Windscreen for outdoor Sound calibrator Tripod
WS-15 NC-74 This stand can be used for general acoustic
This windscreen is designed measurements. The sound level meter and microphone
for outdoor installations. can be mounted on the stand.
It helps to reduce wind
noise and is equipped with
rainproof features that
satisfy the IPX3
water-resistant
specifications.
It is used with a microphone
extension cable.
(Mounting adapter WS15006
required separately)
This Sound calibrator conforms to
IEC 60942 (JIS C 1515), Class 1,
Rain-protection windscreen providing a level of performance
ST-80
WS-16 Upcoming product sufficient for calibrating the
precision sound level meter.
This screen protects the microphone against rain for
a short period of time. The rainproof performance of Specifications ST-81
this windscreen is designed to satisfy the IPX3 Nominal acoustic pressure level 94 dB (For outdoor windscreen WS-15,
water-resistant specifications. Nominal frequency 1 kHz use of ST-81 is recommended.)

Specifications
Waveform analysis software Waveform Display Scaling of time base,

CAT-WAVE 
(made by CATEC Inc.) FFT
function
Analysis
differential and integral calculus
64 to 32 768 points
This software analyzes and stores data files (recorded by the NX-42WR) in the WAVE format. analysis points
You can select to perform FFT analysis or octave band analysis. Display Power spectrum, cross-spectrum,
function transfer function (amplitude),
transfer function (phase), coherence function,
power spectrum map, octave map, differential
and integral calculus for spectral areas
Octave Applicable IEC 61260 (JIS C 1514) Class 1
band standards
analysis Analysis Octave band
frequency 0.5 Hz to 8 kHz (15 bands),
range 1/3 octave band
0.4 Hz to 10 kHz (45 bands),
1/12 octave band
0.36 Hz to 11 kHz (180 bands)

Recommended operating environment

CPU Intel Core TM2 Duo 2.4 GHz or higher
RAM 2 GB or more
HDD 60 GB or more (free space)
Spectrum map screen DISPLAY SXGA (1280 × 1024) or more
OS Microsoft Windows XP Professional 32 bit,
Vista Business 32 bit, 7 Professional 32 bit and 64 bit

Overlapping Screen

6
Complete software for environmental measurements
Data management software for environmental measurement AS-60
Data management software for environmental measurement AS-60 enables the graph display
of measurement data, arithmetic processing, exclusion sound processing, preparation of
reports, output of files, and playback of real sound files.
Easy to use Reports easy to prepare
Simultaneous display of multiple Data on the data recorder can be Data combination
data items (up to 8 data items) loaded (CSV file for DA-40 Viewer)

Data management screen

Supported models
NL-62＊ NL-52/42＊
NL-32/31/22/21＊ DA-40Viewer
＊Only auto store data are supported.

Support for the following model will be available in future (at cost)
VM-53A
Recommended computer specifications
(Common for AS-60/AS-60RT)
CPU Intel CoreTM2 Duo 2.0 GHz or higher
RAM 2 GB or more
DISPLAY XGA (1 024 x 768) or more, at least 65 536 colors
OS Microsoft Windows XP Professional 32 bit,
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32 bit and 64 bit
If AS-60/60RT is used on the NL-52/42, the NX-42EX is also needed.
Report preparation screen

Data management software for environmental measurement AS-60RT

(Includes the octave and 1/3 octave data management software)

Adds support for handling octave

band analysis data to AS-60

AS-60RT is for managing data saved with the

NX-62RT/42RT or data measured with the
NA-28 on a computer.

Supported models
NX-62RT＊ NX-42RT＊
NA-28＊
＊Only auto store data are supported.

Data management screen

7
 Specifications

NL-52 NL-42
Applicable standards IEC 61672-1: 2002 Class 1 IEC 61672-1: 2002 Class 2 Data recall Allows viewing of stored data
ANSI S1.4-1983 Type 1 ANSI S1.4-1983 Type 2 Setup memory Up to five setup configurations can be saved in internal memory, for later recall
ANSI S1.4A-1985 Type 1 ANSI S1.4A-1985 Type 2 Start up via file settings previously stored on SD card possible
ANSI S1.43-1997 Type 1 ANSI S1.43-1997 Type 2 Waveform recording＊3
JIS C 1509-1: 2005 Class 1 JIS C 1509-1: 2005 Class 2 File format Uncompressed waveform WAVE file
CE Marking (EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC), Sampling frequency Select 48 kHz, 24 kHz or 12 kHz
WEEE Directives, Chinese RoHS (export model for China only) Data length Select 24 bit or 16 bit
Measurement functions Simultaneous measurement of the following items, with selected time Outputs DC output Output DC signals using a frequency weighting characteristic selected by processing.
weighting and frequency weighting Output voltage 2.5 V, 25 mV / dB at bar graph display full scale
Processing (main ch) Instantaneous sound pressure level: Lp AC output Output AC signals using a frequency weighting characteristic selected by
Equivalent continuous sound pressure level: Leq processing or by A, C, Z-weighting.
Sound exposure level: LE Output voltage 1 V (rms values) at bar graph display full scale
Maximum sound pressure level: Lmax Comparator Turns on when the open-collector output exceeds the set value
Minimum sound pressure level: Lmin output＊2 (max. applied voltage 24 V, max. current 60 mA, allowable dissipation 300 mW).
Percentile sound levels: LN (0.1 to 99.9 %, 0.1-increment steps, max. 5 values) USB   Allows USB to be connected to a computer and recognized as a removable disk
Processing (sub ch) Instantaneous sound pressure level: Lp     Allows USB to be controlled via communication commands
Additional processing In addition to main processing items, one of the following can be selected RS-232C communication Allows for RS-232C communication via use of a dedicated cable
for simultaneous processing: Data continuous output＊2
C-weighted equivalent continuous sound level: LCeq Type of Instantaneous value Lp
C-weighted peak sound level: LCpeak data Processed value Leq, Lmax, Lmin, Lpeak
Z-weighted peak sound level: LZpeak Output interval 100 ms,1 s
ｴ-time-weighted equivalent continuous sound level: LAｴeq＊2 Print out Printing of measurement results on dedicated printer DPU-414
Maximum ｴ-time-weighted equivalent continuous sound level: LAｴmax＊2 Power requirements Four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries (alkaline or rechargeable batteries) or external power supply
The power average of the maximum level of each 5 second interval: LAtm5 Battery life (23 ˚C) Alkaline battery LR6 (AA): 26 h Ni-MH secondary battery: 25 h
The frequency weighting for the additional processing synchronizes with the frequency weighting At the maximum ＊Depends on the setting
of the sub-channel, so when the sub-channel has A-weighting, LAtm5 can be selected. AC adapter NC-98C (NC-34 for previous models cannot be used)
When C-weighting (Z-weighting ) is selected, the additional processing LCeq and LCpeak External power voltage 5 to 7 V (rated voltage: 6 V)
(LZpeak) are selectable. Current consumption Approximately 90 mA (normal operation, rated voltage)
Measuring time 10 s, 1, 5, 10, 15, 30 m, 1, 8, 24 h, and manual (maximum 24 h) Ambient Temperature -10 to +50 ˚C
Microphone Type UC-59 UC-52 conditions Humidity 10 to 90 % RH (non-condensing)
Sensitivity level -27 dB -33 dB Dustproof / water-resistant IP code: IP54 (except for microphone)
Measurement range A-weighting: 25 dB to 138 dB performance＊4 See precautions regarding waterproofing
C-weighting: 33 dB to 138 dB Dimensions, weight Approx. 250 (H) x 76 (W) x 33 mm(D), approx. 400 g (with batteries)
Z-weighting: 38 dB to 138 dB Supplied accessories Storage case x 1, Windscreen WS-10 x 1, Windscreen fall prevention rubber x 1,
C-weighting peak sound level: 55 dB to 141 dB Hand strap x 1, LR6 (AA) alkaline batteries x 4, SD card 512 MB×1 (NX-42EX
Z-weighting peak sound level: 60 dB to 141 dB preinstalled model only)
Inherent A-weighting 17 dB or less 19 dB or less
noise C-weighting 25 dB or less 27 dB or less Options
Z-weighting 30 dB or less 32 dB or less Product name Product number
Frequency range 20 Hz to 20 kHz 20 Hz to 8 kHz Extended function program (Inst.on 512 MB SD card) NX-42EX
Frequency weighting A, C, and Z Waveform recording program＊2 (Inst.on 2 GB SD card) NX-42WR
Time weighting F (Fast) and S (Slow) Octave, 1/3 octave real-time analysis program＊2 (Inst.on 512 MB SD card) NX-42RT
Level range Single range (Linearity range: 113 dB) FFT analysis program＊2 (Inst.on 512 MB SD card) NX-42FT
Bar graph display range max Max. 110 dB (20 to 130 dB) Data management software for environmental measurement AS-60
Switching of bar graph display Set the upper/ lower limit in 10 dB increments. Data management software for environmental measurement
AS-60RT
(Includes the octave and 1/3 octave data management software)
RMS detection circuit Digital processing method
Waveform analysis software CAT-WAVE
Sampling cycle 20.8 μs (Lp, Leq, LE, Lmax, Lmin, Lpeak : sampling frequency: 48 kHz)
SD Card 512 MB SD-512M
100 ms (LN )
SD Card 2 GB SD-2G
Calibration Measurement Law: electrical calibration performed according to IEC and JIS standards,
AC adapter (100 V to 240 V) NC-98C
using internally generated signals: acoustic calibration performed with the NC-74.
Battery pack BP-21
Correction functions Windscreen correction:
Microphone extension cables EC-04 (from 2 m)
Compliant with IEC 61672-1 and JIS C 1509-1 standards when the windscreen is installed.
BNC-Pin output code CC-24
Diffuse sound field correction:
Comparator output cable CC-42C
Correction of frequency characteristics in order to comply with standards
Printer DPU-414
(ANSI S1.4) in diffuse sound field.
Printer cable CC-42P
Delay time The meter can be set to start measuring a specified time (OFF, 1, 3, 5 or 10 s)
RS 232C serial ｴ/O cable CC-42R
after the start button has been pressed or when a user-set trigger is exceeded.
USB cable -
Back erase function When the PAUSE key is pressed to pause measurement, the preceding
Sound calibrator NC-74
(user selectable) 0, 1, 3 or 5 s data are excluded from processing.
Windscreen for outdoor WS-15
Display Backlit semitransparent color TFT LCD display WQVGA (400 x 240 dots)
Windscreen mounting adapter WS-15006
＊LCD with touch panel (Capacitive Touch Panel)
Rain-protection windscreen WS-16 (Upcoming product)
Numerical display update frequency: 1 s  Bar graph update frequency: 100 ms
Sound level meter tripod ST-80
Store Manual Data for measurement results are stored manually in single address increments.
All-weather windscreen tripod ST-81
   Number of data Internal memory: max. 1 000 sets
＊1 Use Rion fully guaranteed products. ＊2 NX-42EX required (sold separately). ＊3 NX-42WR required (sold separately).
   SD Card: depends on the capacity of the SD Card＊1
＊4 Protection against harmful dust and water splashing from any direction.
   Auto＊2 Instantaneous values (Lp mode) and processed values (Leq mode) are
Precautions regarding waterproofing
stored continuously and automatically at preset intervals. Before use, verify that the rubber bottom cover and the battery compartment lid are firmly closed.
Lp sampling cycle 100 ms, 200 ms, 1 s, Leq 1s To maintain the water and dust proof rating, internal packing replacement is required every two years (at cost).
Leq sampling cycle 10 s, 1, 5, 10, 15, 30 ms, 1, 8, 24 h
Measurement Time Max. 1 000 h (depends on the capacity of the SD Card)＊1

＊ Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. ISO 14001 RION CO., LTD.

＊ Specifications subject to change without notice. ISO 9 0 0 1 RION CO., LTD.

Distributed by:

http://www.rion.co.jp/english/

3-20-41, Higashimotomachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8533, Japan

Tel: +81-42-359-7888 Fax: +81-42-359-7442

This product is environment-friendly. It does not include toxic chemicals on our policy.
This product is certified to an International Protection rating of IP54 (dust protected and resistant to splashing water).
This leaflet is printed with environmentally friendly vegetable-based ink on recycled paper.
1011-3 1203.P.D