can someone explain why you use a VU meter in a daw

Discussion in 'Working with Sound' started by samsome, Sep 16, 2021.

  1. No Avenger

    No Avenger Moderator Staff Member

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    Sadly, I can't because I don't. The simple reason is, so far it wasn't necessary for any plugin I've used or tested, incl. a bunch of Acustica Audio Aquas and some Nebulas (talking of an additionally inserted VU meter here).
    All plugins where this mattered had an input control, some an additional VU meter.

    BTW, biggest VU fake are Waves CLA compressors because what looks like a VU meter is in fact a peak meter.
     
  2. shake_puig

    shake_puig Producer

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    If you need more accurate loudness readings, a LUFS meter is very useful, even for a mixing setting.
     
  3. BEAT16

    BEAT16 Audiosexual

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    Using A VU Meter To Do Gain Staging


    Using A VU Meter To Set Your Limiter - Mastering Monday!
     
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  4. droplet

    droplet Rock Star

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    shouldn't you use ALL CAPS?
     
  5. quadcore64

    quadcore64 Audiosexual

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    If you have ever used an analog studio console, multi-track tape recorder or, a analog cassette recorder, you should have a good understanding of why VU Meters exist and, how they function for a given task.

    Some easy reading to get you started:
    Just a sample of what can be found with 'using vu meters in modern daws' as a search phrase.
     
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  6. Lieglein

    Lieglein Audiosexual

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    So, I do not need them because I can hear it anyways? :hahaha:

    Yeah. It's pretty much the exact reason why I do not need any volume metering at all.
    Because I can hear it anyways and even better.

    I've never understood why I need to see what I can hear in music. :dunno:
     
  7. Sinus Well

    Sinus Well Audiosexual

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    "I don't need a meter, man! I have ears! I can hear it, man! Turn the mix up about 6 LU, we got enough headroom!"

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Lieglein

    Lieglein Audiosexual

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    But how do you do this if you do not use a meter? :winker:
     
  9. aymat

    aymat Audiosexual

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    "can someone explain why you use a VU meter in a daw"

    For that authentic analog experience
     
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  10. relexted

    relexted Producer

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    I work with dBu because I like to stay in the real world.
     
  11. Smoove Grooves

    Smoove Grooves Audiosexual

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    0 dBVU...
     
  12. 5teezo

    5teezo Audiosexual

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    "At the end of the mix, everything is in. Who gives a shit how you get there?!"
    – Andrew Scheps (3 Grammy Awards)

     
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  13. Sinus Well

    Sinus Well Audiosexual

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    "I use ma ears, maaan! Oh no, now I have a fader cap in my ear canal!"
     
  14. Triphammer

    Triphammer Producer

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    GAWD!! This joint is turning into KVR.....LOL!!
     
  15. Xupito

    Xupito Audiosexual

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    That's some shameless self-promotion Smoove... you bad boyyy :winker::rofl:
     
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  16. Smoove Grooves

    Smoove Grooves Audiosexual

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    Haha. Yeah! Nooo, I wasn't fishing.
    Because I'd get nothing probably, due to what I felt I had to say about OP member a while back.
    And I knew it was a harsh truth.
    But back to this, one can find "the sweet spot" without a VU meter. Easier with plugins that have gain on In and Out, but all our daws have a Gain Utility anyway. I hope!
    This is kind of why I don't see that as an answer, regardless of Best!
    More importantly, imo, I don't know how it can really be of such help in answer to the OP? :dunno:
    It's a bit...'general' and almost nothing, imo.
     
  17. Obineg

    Obineg Platinum Record

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    i think generally it is more than anything else used by people who are 50 or older and have a professional background, i.e. once owned a mixing console with VU meters (or still do)

    it is like with everything; when you are used to something, you want to keep it.

    i totally prefer LED chains, thought it is of course nice to have an option to display power with different slide times, too.

    led based VU meters are still rare in hardware, which is a pity.
     
  18. phumb-reh

    phumb-reh Guest

    Hang on a sec folks, maybe I'm misinformed by the topic but basically we have RMS and peak meters, right?

    Can't be that hard to find one that does both with custom ballistics, or am I confused here?
     
  19. Xupito

    Xupito Audiosexual

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    That's why I think.
    But it seems to be a whole science behind different kind of meters and standards, units....
     
  20. No Avenger

    No Avenger Moderator Staff Member

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    On one hand this is correct and most probably a digital RMS meter is sufficient, on the other hand, they work in deed a bit differently.
     
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