Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!floyd!clyde!akgua!msdc!itm!brent
From: brent@itm.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: meter ballistics
Message-ID: <1040@itm.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 3-Oct-83 09:19:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: itm.1040
Posted: Mon Oct  3 09:19:32 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Oct-83 23:52:48 EDT
Lines: 16


    VU (Volume Unit) meters used here in the U.S.  Have ballistics
as follows: (as best I remember)  The meter will rise to 99% of
its 0 VU level in 300 milliseconds given a 1000 Hz tone at 0 VU.
Most modern studios set 0 VU to +4 dBm.  The Europeans use a
"peak meter" whose ballistics are a lot faster, but whose specification
I do not know.  My Nak uses such peak meters and I find them satisfactory.
The lasest generation of cassette decks (such as the new Sonys) use
a linear array of LEDs as level indicators.  They light up in a
continuous line to simulate VU.  Dancing above this, one LED performs
"sample and hold" about every half second on the peaks.  I really
like this arrangement, as it combines the best of both worlds.
    By the way, "LED meters":  is this like plastic glasses, and
dialing a push-button phone?  :-)

            Brent Laminack (akgua!itm!brent)