Monitoring with Raspberry Shake & Boom

Concerned about

Data Center Noise?
You’re not alone.

Communities across the country are asking the same question: What impact will that new data center have on my neighborhood? As data center construction accelerates, residents living nearby are looking for reliable, scientific-grade tools to understand and document the acoustic environment around their homes.

Whether a facility is proposed, under construction, or already operating, having objective, continuous data is the first step toward understanding what’s happening and the Raspberry Shake & Boom is the instrument people are turning to.

Why the RS&BOOM?

The only instrument that captures both.

The RS&BOOM is the only instrument on the market that combines a professional-grade seismograph with a precision infrasound sensor in a single, synchronized unit. Data centers operate powerful cooling and ventilation systems around the clock, the RS&BOOM captures both data streams, giving you a complete picture of the acoustic footprint of nearby infrastructure.

Ground vibration

Professional-grade seismograph

Caused by heavy mechanical equipment such as cooling systems, generators, and HVAC infrastructure.

Atmospheric infrasound

Precision infrasound sensor

Low-frequency pressure waves (below 20 Hz) generated by large industrial facilities, not audible, but physically present in the environment.

0.05 Hz → 40 Hz

What is infrasound, and why does it matter?

Infrasound refers to sound waves below 20 Hz — the lower threshold of typical human hearing. You may not consciously “hear” these frequencies, but they represent real, measurable atmospheric pressure fluctuations. The RS&BOOM detects from approximately 0.05 Hz to 40 Hz — capturing the full range of low-frequency acoustic output from large industrial facilities.

0.2 Hz
Large turbines · slow chillers
1.5 Hz
HVAC fans · cooling towers
7 Hz
Diesel generators
Audible
Infrasound (below hearing)
0.05
0.1
0.5
1
5
10
20
40
Hz
Ground-coupled vibration
0.5 Hz
Pump motors
4 Hz
Reciprocating compressors
18 Hz
RS&BOOM lower bound
RS&BOOM upper bound
Establish a Baseline — Before It’s Too Late

Deploy your RS&BOOM before the facility becomes operational.

One of the most valuable things you can do is record weeks or months of baseline data in a quiet environment. By doing so, you create a clear before-and-after comparison that objectively documents any changes once operations begin.

This kind of longitudinal data is far more powerful than a single measurement taken after the fact.

The Instrument

Raspberry Shake & Boom.

A professional-grade seismograph and a precision infrasound sensor — captured on a single, synchronized unit. The infrasound sensor is the critical component for data center monitoring.

Geophone

Vertical-axis seismometer. 4.5 Hz natural frequency, 0.7 Hz corner — perfect for ground-coupled facility vibration.
 

Infrasound transducer

Tubed differential pressure sensor that captures atmospheric infrasound from 0.05 Hz upward

Raspberry Pi compute

Streams to DataView over Ethernet and records locally as a fallback.

IP67 enclosure

Sealed against weather and dust on the outdoor model — brass bushings mount the device to any surface.

Seismic band
0.5 – 40 Hz
Infrasound band
0.05 – 40 Hz
Corner frequency
0.7 Hz (seismic)
Sample rate
100 sps
Power
5.1 V · 2.5 A
Connectivity
Ethernet
Which Product Should I Choose?

For data center monitoring, we recommend the RS&BOOM.

It is purpose-built for this application because it captures both seismic (ground vibration) and infrasonic (atmospheric pressure) signals.

The infrasound sensor is the critical component for data center monitoring. Large cooling systems and ventilation equipment generate significant low-frequency atmospheric pressure waves, and the RS&BOOM is specifically designed to detect these.

Note. The RBOOM (infrasound-only sensor) was discontinued several years ago. The RS&BOOM replaces it with the added benefit of simultaneous ground vibration monitoring.

What You’ll Get

Every RS&BOOM connects to the Raspberry Shake network.

Free access to our full software ecosystem — the same professional-grade tools the research community uses.

01Station View↗
See your station's data in real time alongside thousands of stations worldwide.
02Data View↗
Analyze your seismograms and infrasound recordings with professional tools.
03Mobile App
Monitor your station from anywhere. iOS ↗ Android ↗
04Continuous Recording
Your RS&BOOM records 24/7, building a long term dataset you can reference at any time.
05Data Download↗
Export your data for independent analysis or to share with consultants, researchers, or officials.
Getting Started

Where should I place my RS&BOOM — and what do I need to get going?

For best results
  • Choose a location between your home and the data center if possible
  • Place it on any stable floor surface
  • Minimize local noise sources. Keep distance from HVAC units, washing machines, generators, and heavy foot traffic
  • Prioritize Ethernet. A wired connection ensures reliable, uninterrupted data transmission

Below ground? No. Given the 0.7 Hz corner frequency, a standard surface installation provides excellent performance.

Indoor model
Any indoor room, any floor

Ideal for any indoor room on any floor surface.

Outdoor model · IP67
Outbuildings & vaults

Ideal for deployment in outbuildings, pole barns, or purpose-built vaults.

Frequently Asked Questions

01What is infrasound and why does it matter for data centers?
Infrasound refers to sound waves below 20 Hz, the lower threshold of typical human hearing. While you may not consciously hear these frequencies, they represent real, measurable atmospheric pressure fluctuations. Data centers operate large cooling systems, fans, and generators that can produce both audible noise and infrasonic pressure waves. The RS&BOOM infrasound sensor detects frequencies from roughly 0.05 Hz to 40 Hz, capturing the full range of low frequency acoustic output from industrial facilities.
02Can the RS&BOOM actually detect data center noise?
Yes. The RS&BOOM detects both ground borne vibration (via its seismograph) and atmospheric infrasound (via its differential pressure transducer). These are the two primary pathways through which mechanical equipment in data centers can affect the surrounding environment. While peer reviewed studies specific to data center monitoring with Raspberry Shake hardware have not yet been published, the sensor capabilities are well suited to capturing the types of signals generated by large industrial cooling and ventilation systems.
03I saw a YouTube video about data centers and infrasound. Is that what led me here?
You're likely referring to "Datacenters Behaving Like Acoustic Weapons" by Benn Jordan, which introduced many people to the concept of monitoring data center noise with instruments like ours. While Raspberry Shake is not affiliated with this video or its creator, we recognize that it raised important awareness about community concerns. The RS&BOOM provides you with the tools to collect your own objective, continuous data so you can form your own evidence based understanding of your local acoustic environment.
04Can I use RS&BOOM data in legal or regulatory proceedings?
The RS&BOOM produces scientifically rigorous, timestamped, continuous data that can document the acoustic environment around your home. However, we cannot provide guidance on making data admissible in court proceedings, as this is outside our area of expertise. If you intend to use your data in legal, regulatory, or municipal proceedings, we recommend consulting with an attorney or acoustic consultant who can advise on evidentiary standards in your jurisdiction.
05Has Raspberry Shake data been used in peer reviewed research?
Yes. Raspberry Shake instruments have been used in numerous peer reviewed scientific publications across seismology, volcanology, and acoustic monitoring. You can browse the full list at raspberryshake.org/peer-reviews. While studies specifically focused on data center monitoring with our instruments have not yet been published, the underlying sensor technology is well established in the scientific community.
06I only want to monitor infrasound. Can I buy just the infrasound sensor without the seismograph?
The RS&BOOM is our recommended and only current product that includes infrasound monitoring. The standalone RBOOM (infrasound only) was discontinued several years ago. The RS&BOOM's integrated approach is actually an advantage: synchronized seismic and infrasound data lets you differentiate between ground borne vibration and atmospheric pressure waves, giving you a more complete picture of the data center's acoustic footprint.
07How long should I monitor before and after a data center becomes operational?
We recommend at least 4 to 8 weeks of baseline data before operations begin, though more is always better. After the facility becomes operational, continuous monitoring will allow you to identify patterns, compare against your baseline, and document changes over time. The RS&BOOM records 24/7 automatically once installed.
08Can I monitor from a mile away?
Infrasound can travel significant distances with minimal attenuation, which is one of the reasons it's relevant to this application. Residents living within several miles of a data center may still detect infrasonic signals from the facility. The RS&BOOM's sensitivity makes it capable of detecting low frequency signals at residential distances. Your results will depend on distance, terrain, local noise floor, and the size and configuration of the data center's mechanical systems.
09I have a generator or HVAC unit near my home. Will that interfere?
Intermittent local noise sources like standby generators that run on a schedule are generally not a problem. They appear as identifiable events in your data and can be accounted for during analysis. For best results, try to place your RS&BOOM as far as practical from continuous local noise sources (compressors, pool pumps) and as close as practical to the line of sight toward the facility you're monitoring.
10Should I install the sensor below ground?
For data center monitoring, no. Given the RS&BOOM's low corner frequency (0.7 Hz), there is no meaningful signal advantage from burying the unit. A standard surface installation provides excellent performance for this application.
Ready to Start Monitoring?

Every RS&BOOM connects to the Raspberry Shake network.

And so is your opportunity to establish a baseline before it’s too late.