Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing noise and/or vibration monitoring. Specifically, the present invention relates to the provision of a distributable and/or configurable method and/or apparatus for noise and/or vibration monitoring. According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of monitoring ambient sound in an area for use with a device for recording ambient sound, comprising the steps of: receiving ambient sound data from the device; determining when a parameter related to the ambient sound data exceeds a predetermined threshold; and storing ambient sound data when the predetermined threshold is exceeded.