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One of the fundamental average loudness meters, the Root Mean Square (RMS), can be used to characterize the loudness of a sound signal. RMS allows users to calculate an average value in the case when the function can get negative as well as positive; both the negative and the positive values have to represent the same amount of energy, which is called the intensity the users want to measure (https://majormixing.com/what-is-rms-in-audio-world/). This is particularly true for sound waves. RMS is calculated as the average loudness of a sound waveform over a given duration.
\( RMS = \sqrt{ \frac{1}{n} \displaystyle \sum_{i}^{} {{x_i}^2} } \)
This calculation is essential for monitoring and adjusting the overall loudness of a song. RMS thoroughly explains how the human ear perceives the sound waveform. As opposed to peak meters, which solely display the exact amplitudes of a sound wave, RMS meters provide a more accurate representation of perceived loudness. Therefore, the average within a specified period, usually around 300 milliseconds, is considered. The following diagram shows some concepts using a simple sound wave (https://majormixing.com/what-is-rms-in-audio-world/).
Once the users speak towards the Circuit Playground Express board or clap in the board’s surroundings, the NeoPixels on the board will light up. The users should vary their distance from and to the board to cause changes in the lighting up of the NeoPixels. The object encoded is called a Playground Sound Level Meter.
