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AUDIO PROGRAMME LEVEL METER

In a broadcast, measurement of the audio level is an important aspect. The signals should be within the specified limits over the complete chain. Otherwise the system may result in noise and/or distortion of signal. Volume Unit(VU) meters are generally used for this purpose. Of late, Peak Programme Meters(PPM) have been introduced and these are slowly becoming more and more popular.

VU Meters
VU meters employ special ballistics that average out complex waveforms to properly indicate programme level that varies simultaneously in both-amplitude and frequency. Complex waveform changes can only be measured in volume units. For the complex waveforms, such as speech, a VU meter reads between the average and the peak value of a complex wave. No simple relationship exists between volume measured in VU and the power of a wave shape of the signal. For sinewaves, a change of one VU is numerically equal to a change of 1 dB. This value may vary somewhat depending upon the waveform and the percentage of harmonics in the signal.

Characteristics
a) General : The meter consists of a d.c. meter movement with a noncorrosive, full-wave, copper-oxide rectifier unit (mounted in the instrument case). Its response approximates the response of the human ear. b) Instrument Scale : The face of the instrument have either of two scale cards A or B shown in figure 1. Each card has two scales : a VU scale from 20 to +3VU and a percent modulation scale ranging from 0 to 100%, with 100% coinciding with the 0 point on the VU Scale. The normal point for reading volume levels is at 0 VU or 100%, which are located to right of the centre at about 71% of the full scale arc.

Induction Course (Radio) A type scale meters are preferred for recording and test equipment whereas B type for broadcast level monitoring. c) Dynamic Characteristic : When the VU meter is connected across a 600 ohms external resistance, the sudden application of a sine-wave voltage, sufficient to give a steady-state deflection at the 0 VU or 100% scale point, shall cause the pointer to overshoot not less than 1% and not more than 1.5% (0.15 db). The pointer shall reach 99 on the per cent scale in 0.3 second. d) Frequency Response : 35-10000 Hz + 0.2 dB 25-16000 Hz + 0.5 dB w.r.t. 1,000 Hz

e) Impedance : For connecting across a line, the VU meter (including the instrument and proper series resistance of 3600 ohms) shall have an impedance of 7500 ohms when measured with a sinusoidal voltage sufficient to deflect the meter to 0 VU or the 100% scale point. f) Sensitivity : When a sinusoidal potential of 1.228 volts (4 dB above 1 mw in a 600-ohm line) is applied to the instrument in series with the proper resistance of 3600 ohms, it will cause a deflection to the 0 VU or 100% point. g) Harmonic Distortion : The harmonic distortion introduced in a 600-ohm circuit, caused by connecting the VU meter across it, is less than 0.3 per cent, under the worst possible condition. Variable attenuator used alongwith the VU meter for level control, does not introduce any deterioration. h) Overload : The VU meter must be capable of withstanding, without damage or effect on the calibration, overload peaks of 10 times the voltage equivalent to a reading of 0 VU or 100% for 0.50 second and a continuous overload of five times that voltage. i) Calibration level : VU meter is calibrated with reference to 1 milliwatt of power in a 600-ohm line. This is equivalent to a voltage of 0.775 V.

VU Meter Impedance and Calibration

An external variable attenuator is connected with the VU meter. The attenuator is variable in steps of 2 db and presents a constant resistance of 3900 ohms to the meter movement. This design prevents the ballistics of the meter from being affected when the attenuator setting is changed. The series resistance of 3600 ohms is connected, as shown in figure 2, ahead of attenuator. However, in doing so, a 4 db loss is incurred across the 3600 ohm resistor. If a signal of 1 milliwatt(0.774 volt) is impressed across the input terminal of the circuit, it will not deflect the meter to the 100% calibration but only to the minus 4 VU mark or approximately 65%. This means if the meter is to be deflected to 100%, the input signal must be increased to +4dbm. This is the reason why 1 milliwatt of power will be indicated at the 4 VU calibration point. Hence the attenuators used with VU meters do not have 0 dbm calibration step but start at plus 4 dbm. STI(T) Publication 46 004/IC(Radio)/2001

Audio Programme Level Meters To calculate the signal level, the readings on the input attenuator and the meter scale are added algebraically. For example if the attenuator is set to a +10 dbm and the meter indicate a plus 3 dbm, then the signal level is 13 dbm. On the other hand, if the attenuator is set to a +30 dbm and the meter reading is a 3dbm, the level is +27 dbm.

A SCALE Fig. 1

B SCALE

Fig. 2 Schematic Diagram for a 7500-ohm VU meter, calibrated for 1-mW reference level or 0.775 V across 600-ohm

VU Impedance Level Correction

As already stated VU meters are calibrated for 1 mw of power across a 600-ohm load as 4VU. When a VU meter is connected across any other impedance, a correction must be added to the reading to give a proper VU reading. The equation for the level correction is DB = 10 log (Z2/Z1) Where DB is the decibel amount to be added to the VU reading Z2 is the impedance for which the meter is calibrated. Z1 is the impedance of the circuit bridged.

Shortcomings In VU Meters
A VU meter reads the rms value of the waveform. On a sine-wave, the rms VU indicator of the peak is only 3 dB above the reading; however, on voice or music, the peak may be 10 to 12 dB above the reading. Thus, the VU meter indicates considerably less than the instantaneous peak programme level. This means that 8 to 14 dB peaks present in the programme material are not indicated by the meter because the meter movement cannot follow small instantaneous peaks. Even if they could be seen, it would be too late to reduce the level. Thus the recording system can get overloaded quite easily. To protect against these unseen peaks, a lead or margin of safety is STI(T) Publication 47 004/IC(Radio)/2001

Induction Course (Radio) inserted in the VU meter circuit; or the VU meter is supplemented by a Peak Programme Meter (PPM).

PEAK PROGRAMME METERS

A Peak Programme Meter (PPM) reads the peak level of the applied signal. Thus the peak levels are accurately checked with PPM than using VU meters, thereby, allowing the dynamic range of the recording or transmission equipment to be more fully utilised between the limits that are set for distortion and noise.

General Description
Peak programme meter in general consists of an electronic unit and an indicating instrument. The electronic unit contains an amplifier, a rectifier, an integrating circuit and means for obtaining an approximately logarithmic relation between the peak (quasi) of the source e.m.f. and the resulting indication of the instrument connected to it. A block diagram of a typical peak program meter is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 Block Diagram Meter Scales The divisions on the meters scale should be approximately linear and calibrated in dB. There are number of standards for scales. The scale which conforms to I.E.C.s standard is shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5 is shown the DIN scale. This type of scale is fitted in peak program meters supplied with the studer 089 Audio Consoles. The scale shown in Fig. 6 conforms to E.B.U. requirements.

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Audio Programme Level Meters

Fig. 4 I.E.C.Scale

Fig. 5 DIN Scale

Fig. 6 E.B.U.Scale

Alignment
When using a test tone a reading of 0 dB on a PPM corresponds to a nominal 100% modulation of an a.m. sound transmitter, a maximum deviation of +50 kHz of a television sound transmitter, or approximately 1% distortion for a broadcast quality audio tape recorder.

Operation
When operating audio equipment that is provided with a peak program meter, gain controls and faders should be set so that the meters pointer just reaches the 0dB scale marking, (or a figure to be specified in a future) during the loudest part of the program sound. The operator can then be certain that he/she is efficiently utilising the dynamic range of the equipment and that audible overload distortion is not occuring.

Advantage of PPM over VU meters

i)

Accurate Indication of Programme Peaks : The VU meter is a relatively slow meter. It takes 300 ms for peaks of the signal to cause the needle to deflect to the zero point on the scale from rest. Program material often contains peaks of 10 ms in duration and less; and due to its slow response the VU meter will not register these. Using a VU meter may lead to two possible situations. Firstly program peaks, which exceed the limits of the system may be allowed through. Secondly levels may be set unnecessarily low to avoid the above. The peak program meter has a fast rise time which allows it to give a consistently accurate indication of the level of peaks as short as 10 ms in duration. Thus an operator is able to take full advantage of the dynamic range of a system confidently. Very short peaks are virtually ignored by peak program meters because it has been found that severe distortion of peaks less than about 5 milliseconds in length is not objectionable to a listener. (Provided equipment is not damaged by the peak ).

ii)

Ease of Reading : The peak program meter has a fast rise time and a slow falls back time. This means that in general the meter needle does not swing over as a large an arc as in the case with a VU meter. Overseas experience shows that the reduced meter deflections simplify the use of the meter and result in better consistency in maintenance of program levels. Additionally the VU meter only gives an inferred indication of peak levels in contrast to the peak program meter which gives an accurate and consistent indication. 49 004/IC(Radio)/2001

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Induction Course (Radio)

iii)

Scale Range : It has only been possible to provide a scale of 23 dB on the VU meter because at lower signal levels the diodes in the rectifying bridge are fully cut-off. Additionally the scale has to be marked to follow the law of the diodes rather than in a way that would be ideal from an operators point of view. As the peak program meter has active circuitry, it is possible to provide a range of 40 or 50 dB with a dB linear scale. This allows an operator to detect the presence of noise and to monitor program at the low levels which can occur in modern systems with wide dynamic range. High Bridging Impedance : The bridging impedance of a VU meter is relatively low at 3.9 K ohm. This is usually built out to 7.5 k ohm with a 3.6 k ohm resistor. Even so, the level VU meter is bridged across a 600 ohm line. Further, due to the non-linearity of its diodes, the meter will cause a small but significant amount of distortion. As the peak program meter has active circuitry, it can be designed with a higher input impedance and so eliminates these problems.

iv)

DIGITAL VU PPM METER

The disadvantages of VU meter has been overcome in PPM meter. However, PPM meters alone are not sufficient in the chain as with the help of PPM meters you have a tendency to control peaks only and the average signal levels may be too low. Therefore, digital VU PPM meter has been developed, which is basically two-in-one meter. This meter has a built in moving coil VU meter alongwith LEDs for peak programme level indication.

References 1. 2. 3. Australian Broadcasting Corporation- Monograph T024. British Broadcasting Corporation Research Department Report No. L-054 1963/29. Handbook for Sound Engineers by Glen Ballou; Howard W.Sams & Company, Indiana.

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