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Guided, Self-Calibrated

Microphone Distance & Proximity Effect Meter

No browser can measure true physical distance from audio alone — that needs a calibrated reference this site does not have. Instead, this tracks the real, measurable bass-boost ratio continuously while you move, and lets you mark your own far, normal, and close checkpoints so the result is labelled with YOUR distances, not an invented number.

Status

Click Start, speak continuously at a steady volume, and move through a few distances while tapping the matching button below.

Checkpoints

Mark Your Distances

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Result

  • Verdict:—

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How to Interpret Your Results

What your boost ratio actually means

The boost ratio compares your bass energy at your marked "close" checkpoint against your marked "far" checkpoint — your own real measurements, not an assumed distance. It directly quantifies how much your specific mic's proximity effect changes your sound as you move.

Under 1.3xMinimal proximity effect. Likely an omnidirectional capsule, or a cardioid mic with a built-in low-cut filter countering the effect.
1.3x–2.2xModerate proximity effect. Normal cardioid mic behavior, and can be used deliberately for a warmer, closer-sounding voice.
Over 2.2xStrong proximity effect. Can sound boomy or muddy on calls — back off from the mic or check for a low-cut/bass-roll-off switch if that's not the sound you want.

Benchmark Reference

Boost Ratio at a Glance

GradeClose/far ratioWhat it sounds like
Minimal< 1.3xConsistent tone regardless of distance.
Moderate1.3x – 2.2xWarmer, more intimate up close — often desirable.
Strong> 2.2xBoomy or muddy up close — may need correcting.

Calculated from your own marked checkpoints, not an assumed or industry-standard distance.

Step-by-Step

How to Run the Test

  1. Click "Start" and allow microphone access when prompted.
  2. Speak continuously at a steady volume while slowly moving from arm's length to very close to the mic.
  3. Tap "Far," "Normal," and "Close" at each corresponding distance as you move.
  4. Read your boost ratio — this is calculated directly from your own marked checkpoints.

Notes

What proximity effect actually is

Cardioid and other directional microphone capsules boost bass frequencies as a sound source gets very close, due to how their directional pattern interacts with sound pressure at short range. This is a real, well-documented physical effect — the "warm, close" sound associated with radio announcers leaning into a mic — and the low-band-to-mid-band energy ratio tracked here is a genuine, direct measurement of it.

Common Issues

Troubleshooting & Fixes

Want a warmer, more intimate soundMove closer — use your "close" reading as a target next time you set up.
Your voice sounds boomy or muddy on callsYou are likely sitting closer than needed — back off toward your "normal" or "far" reading, or check for a low-cut filter switch on your mic.
Barely any difference between checkpointsYour mic may be omnidirectional, or already has a built-in low-cut filter countering the effect — neither is a problem.
Microphone access blockedClick the camera/mic icon in your browser's address bar to confirm this site is allowed, or check your OS's microphone privacy settings.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't this tell me my exact distance in centimetres?
True physical distance cannot be measured from audio alone without a calibrated reference tone or a second sensor, neither of which a browser has access to. Rather than invent a number, this lets you mark your own checkpoints and shows the real acoustic measurement at each one.
What is proximity effect?
A real, well-documented acoustic phenomenon where cardioid and other directional microphones boost bass frequencies as the sound source gets very close — the classic "warm, close" radio-announcer sound. This tool measures that boost directly via the ratio of low-frequency to mid-frequency energy.
Is a strong proximity effect bad?
Not inherently — it is often used deliberately for a warmer voice. It becomes a problem when it makes speech sound boomy or muddy on a call, which a low-cut filter or slightly more distance from the mic both fix.
Do all microphones have proximity effect?
No — only directional (cardioid, supercardioid) capsules exhibit it. Omnidirectional mics pick up sound roughly equally from all directions and typically show little to no bass boost with distance, which is exactly what a low boost ratio here would indicate.
What frequencies does the bass/mid ratio actually compare?
Energy in the 80–250Hz range against energy in the 500–2000Hz range, read live from the Web Audio API's frequency analysis — real measured bands, not an approximation, chosen because that low range is specifically where proximity-effect bass boost shows up most clearly.