[alsa-devel] internal mic boost: how much is too much?

Hello all,

i have two laptops with internal dmic, each of them has 3 step mic boost. One step 12 dB. The third step seems to me useless, since it give more noise then sound. I know there is code in patch_reatek.c to disable two steps. But before i provide some patch, it will be interesting to know, how much noise is too much? What is the best way to measure it? Do i need some tools like this? http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/100804/VOLTCRAFT-SL-100-Schallpegel-Messg...