The goal is to provide the same baseline response for each test station using the Standardization Unit (vibrator).  The recommended starting values for the AVG reported by the “moto” session is 200 ± 4 for adult rat size enclosures (Medium, Large or Extra Large) and 700 ± 14 for mice/juvenile rats’ size thick wall enclosures (Small or Small/Medium).  If using the Ultra-Sensitive thin wall Small or Small/Medium enclosure calibrate to 2500 mV.  These values have shown that in most species you will get a good startle response.  However, if you find that you have a low/high responding species you may want to standardize at a higher level such as 900 +/- 18 or a lower level 150 +/- 3 for example.  The only way to determine this is to start with one of our guideline values, run several animals through a startle session and review the results.  If you are getting peaks that the software can score, then you may want to stay with the guideline value.  If you are getting a response with low or no peaks you may want to standardize at a higher level.  After standardizing at the new level, you will need to re-run some animals and check the startle response.

The standardized level can be anything, but once it is determined and set, all animals should be tested at the determined standardized level.  There is no way to overload the interface card so you can standardize as high as you desire.