What does a VU meter indicate?

VU is an abbreviation for volume unit. Thus, a VU meter is a device for measuring the level of SOUND INTENSITY with audio equipment, such as AMPLIFIERs and TAPE RECORDERs. Although the measurements indicated on such a meter are in DECIBELs, the zero level should not be confused with 0 dB, the THRESHOLD OF HEARING.

How do I calibrate my digital VU meter?

What are the steps for calibration?

  1. Set the XLR output level of the mixer to LINE.
  2. Connect the female XLR connector with the 600 ohm load to the mixer’s XLR output.
  3. Using the alligator clip test leads, connect one multimeter probe to pin 2 of the female XLR.
  4. Power up the multimeter and set it to read AC voltage.

How do you set up a VU meter?

Just put a VU meter plugin at the end of your mix bus and keep it open while working on your volume balance. Is the meter hovering around the same area in both the verse and the chorus? You might need to bump up the volume in the chorus. It doesn’t need to be 10 dB louder or anything.

What is 0 dB on a VU meter?

0 VU is often referred to as “0 dB”. The meter was designed not to measure the signal, but to let users aim the signal level to a target level of 0 VU (sometimes labelled 100%), so it is not important that the device is non-linear and imprecise for low levels.

Who invented VU meter?

Bell Telephone
The VU meter — for “volume unit” — was developed in 1939 by Bell Telephone in conjunction with CBS and NBC. It’s designed to represent audio signal level and remained the standard well through the ’80s until digital came out.

What is K in audio?

Standard CD-quality audio uses a sample rate of 44.1 kHz (k means times 1000). Sampling Rates range from 8000 Hz (very, very low quality) up to 192 000 Hz (very, very hi quality).

What is the dBu?

dBu and dBV are decibel units specifically for measuring voltage. Unlike the dB, they are actually units because they can be converted to an actual voltage value. dBu is dB relative to 0.775 volts; such that 0dBu = 0.775 volts. dBV is dB relative to 1.0 volt; such that 0dBV = 1.0 volt.

Is waves VU meter free?

Waves Audio has released the Waves VU Meter, a free metering plugin that provides an additional resource for monitoring your mix and ensuring proper levels of your tracks.

What is the difference between 0 vu and +4 dBu?

The most common is that 0 VU represents a voltage level of +4 dBu, about 1.23 volts RMS. Most modern mixers are calibrated to this convention: When the output meter reads 0 VU, the device is putting out +4 dBu RMS.