A method of monitoring a milking process by a milking apparatus with a teatcup with a pulsation space and a pulsation airline configured to deliver varying levels of pressure to the pulsation space, including measuring at least one property of a vibrational signal within the airline with a vibration sensor； comparing a value of the measured property with a reference value； and determining a condition of the milking process based on the comparison. The vibrational signal can be a sound signal from to the displacement of air into and out of the pulsation space. This sound in the airline correlates to the extent to which a teat has entered a teatcup, and is a good indication of the connection of the teatcup to that teat. The sound is furthermore a cleaner signal than a sound signal in a milkline. Also provided is a robotic automatic milking implement incorporating the method.
