Why do some Led displays seem to be more active the higher you have the volume, and some flash away to the beat of the music at a consistant level even with the volume turned right down???
VU/Led Question
- Thread starter im_alan_partridge
- Start date
- Status
Ah, i see, so a power meter is the latter. So what does VU stand for then and what is it measuring, sorry i know this is properly a stupid question.
VU stands for volume units and these meters typically measure the strength of the audio signal. No sense discussing how loud is the meter reading because it really depends upon which scale they are using but 0db on the scale usually is the standard audio limit at maximum volume of the line signal level and anything in the +db range is peaking of the signal that could lead to clipping and distortion. On the left side of the scale will be -db hashes to indicate how many decibels (logarithmic scale) the VU is less than the max signal level.
On older hi-fi home amplifiers, receivers, you will actually see the volume control pot marked with 0db at the maximum mark (indicating maximum volume output) and every subsequent unit to the left marked with a -db, representing how many decibels below maximum volume. Note that 0db does not refer to how loud the volume actually is, because it is a relational representation of how attentuated a signal is compared to Maximum (0), which could get confusing since most people think of 0 as the lowest. But if you think about it for a moment and understand that the preamplifier (which has the volume pot) knows nothing about which amplifier it might be connected to, then you'll understand that it's better to represent it in that manner. All you have to do is move the logarithmic db number line until 0 coincides with the point of maximum volume, then the scale makes perfect sense.
You can tell which meter is a VU and which are power indicators by looking at the meters. Usually, if it has a 0db marker near the end of the max scale, it will be a VU meter. If it shows +db increasing from the left side, and/or shows watts -- it is a power level meter.
Although both VU and Power level meters will likewise move in unison, power meters typically display the audio signal as sent to the speakers from the amplifier and VU meter is more a representation of the line level signal injected into the system (whether from internal or external source).
On older hi-fi home amplifiers, receivers, you will actually see the volume control pot marked with 0db at the maximum mark (indicating maximum volume output) and every subsequent unit to the left marked with a -db, representing how many decibels below maximum volume. Note that 0db does not refer to how loud the volume actually is, because it is a relational representation of how attentuated a signal is compared to Maximum (0), which could get confusing since most people think of 0 as the lowest. But if you think about it for a moment and understand that the preamplifier (which has the volume pot) knows nothing about which amplifier it might be connected to, then you'll understand that it's better to represent it in that manner. All you have to do is move the logarithmic db number line until 0 coincides with the point of maximum volume, then the scale makes perfect sense.
You can tell which meter is a VU and which are power indicators by looking at the meters. Usually, if it has a 0db marker near the end of the max scale, it will be a VU meter. If it shows +db increasing from the left side, and/or shows watts -- it is a power level meter.
Although both VU and Power level meters will likewise move in unison, power meters typically display the audio signal as sent to the speakers from the amplifier and VU meter is more a representation of the line level signal injected into the system (whether from internal or external source).
Wow. Thanks Norm, ive just read that three times and i think ive just about got it.
The final paragraph explains the differance between the two perfectly. Thanks again
The final paragraph explains the differance between the two perfectly. Thanks again
im_alan_partridge said:Wow. Thanks Norm, ive just read that three times and i think ive just about got it.
The final paragraph explains the differance between the two perfectly. Thanks again
Well, I guess that means I'll never make a living as an instructor. The meter differences between the two shouldn't be that hard to grasp. The 0db thing is a little more confusing but just think of max volume as zero and anything below maximum volume is represented by a minus number.
sony_apm_fan
Member (SA)
Superduper said:im_alan_partridge said:Wow. Thanks Norm, ive just read that three times and i think ive just about got it.
The final paragraph explains the differance between the two perfectly. Thanks again
The meter differences between the two shouldn't be that hard to grasp. The 0db thing is a little more confusing but just think of max volume as zero and anything below maximum volume is represented by a minus number.
Super, I have an amp that goes to 11. Is that loud?
sony_apm_fan said:Superduper said:im_alan_partridge said:Wow. Thanks Norm, ive just read that three times and i think ive just about got it.
The final paragraph explains the differance between the two perfectly. Thanks again
The meter differences between the two shouldn't be that hard to grasp. The 0db thing is a little more confusing but just think of max volume as zero and anything below maximum volume is represented by a minus number.
Super, I have an amp that goes to 11. Is that loud?
Depends: To a deaf guy, not very. To the rodents living in the attic ==
Lasonic TRC-920
Moderator
Man....I love reading Superduper's posts. If he would have taught at my school, I may have put down my beer and doobie and gone to class!
:super: is :super:
:super: is :super:
baddboybill
Boomus Fidelis
No you wouldn't have, you would have asked Norm to join YouLasonic TRC-920 said:Man....I love reading Superduper's posts. If he would have taught at my school, I may have put down my beer and doobie and gone to class!
:super: is :super:
Lasonic TRC-920
Moderator
baddboybill said:No you wouldn't have, you would have asked Norm to join YouLasonic TRC-920 said:Man....I love reading Superduper's posts. If he would have taught at my school, I may have put down my beer and doobie and gone to class!
:super: is :super:
I still might!
- Status