From Bell Labs to the Digital Age: The VU Meter Still Has Us Seeing Sound (And Here's How to Use It)
Updated: Mar 20
If you're a music producer or mixer, you've probably heard of a VU meter. In fact, you've probably used one before. But do you know the history of the VU meter and how to use it in modern "in the box" mixing? In this blog post, we'll explore the origins of the VU meter, its purpose, and how to use it in today's music production.
The history of the VU meter dates back to the early 1930s when the radio broadcasting industry needed a standardised way to measure audio levels. Prior to the VU meter, there were various methods for measuring audio levels, but they were inconsistent and didn't provide a reliable way to measure loudness. The VU meter was developed by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE), now known as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and was standardised in 1940.
The VU meter, or Volume Unit meter, was designed to measure the average level of audio signals over time. It uses a ballistics system that responds to changes in audio levels in a way that approximates how our ears perceive loudness. The meter is calibrated to indicate 0 VU when the average level of a sine wave with a frequency of 1 kHz is 0 dBu (decibels relative to 1 volt). This calibration was chosen because 1 kHz is close to the centre of the human hearing range, and 0 dBu is a common reference level in audio equipment.
The purpose of the VU meter is to provide a visual indication of the average level of audio signals. This is useful for monitoring audio levels during recording and mixing, as well as for ensuring that audio levels are within a safe range for playback. The VU meter is not designed to indicate peak levels, which are the highest instantaneous levels of audio signals. For this reason, VU meters are often used in combination with peak meters, which provide a visual indication of peak levels.
In modern music production, VU meters are still widely used, even though digital audio technology has made it possible to measure audio levels with greater precision. This is because the VU meter provides a more accurate representation of how our ears perceive loudness than peak meters or digital level meters. When mixing music, it's important to keep the average level of audio signals within a certain range to ensure that the music sounds balanced and not too loud or too quiet. The VU meter is an essential tool for achieving this balance.
One of the most popular VU meters used in modern music production is the Waves VU meter. This plugin is designed to emulate the behaviour of a classic analog VU meter and is widely used by music producers and mixers around the world. The Waves VU meter provides a simple and intuitive way to monitor audio levels during mixing and mastering, and it can be used on individual tracks, groups, and the master bus.
Using the Waves VU meter is easy. Simply insert the plugin on the track or bus you want to monitor and adjust the gain so that the average level of the audio signals is within the range indicated by the meter. The Waves VU meter provides three different metering modes: VU, PPM (peak program meter), and RMS (root mean square). Each mode provides a different way of visualising audio levels and can be useful for different types of music and different stages of the mixing process.
The VU mode on the Waves VU meter provides a classic analog-style meter that responds to changes in audio levels in a way that approximates how our ears perceive loudness. The meter has a slow attack time and a relatively fast release time, which makes it useful for monitoring the average level of audio signals over time. The VU mode is ideal for setting levels on individual tracks and groups, and for ensuring that the mix is well-balanced.
The PPM mode on the Waves VU meter provides a peak program meter that indicates peak levels in dBFS (decibels full scale). This mode is useful for monitoring peak levels and for ensuring that the audio signals don't clip or distort. The PPM mode has a fast attack time and a slow release time, which makes it useful for detecting short-term peaks.
The RMS mode on the Waves VU meter provides a root mean square meter that indicates the root mean square level of the audio signals in dBFS. This mode is useful for monitoring the overall loudness of the mix and for ensuring that the mix complies with loudness standards. The RMS mode has a relatively slow attack time and a relatively fast release time, which makes it useful for measuring the long-term loudness of the mix.
When using the Waves VU meter, it's important to keep in mind that the meter is calibrated to indicate 0 VU when the average level of a sine wave with a frequency of 1 kHz is 0 dBu. This means that the meter may not accurately represent the perceived loudness of the audio signals if they contain frequencies that are significantly higher or lower than 1 kHz. To compensate for this, the Waves VU meter provides a calibration control that allows you to adjust the calibration of the meter to match your audio material.
In addition to the calibration control, the Waves VU meter provides several other controls that allow you to customise the behaviour of the meter. For example, you can adjust the ballistics of the meter, which determines how quickly the meter responds to changes in audio levels. You can also adjust the scale of the meter, which determines how many dBs are represented by each division of the meter.
In conclusion, the VU meter is an essential tool for music producers and mixers, even in the digital age. It provides a reliable way to measure the average level of audio signals and to ensure that the mix is well-balanced and within safe levels for playback. The Waves VU meter is a popular and widely used plugin that emulates the behaviour of a classic analog VU meter and provides a simple and intuitive way to monitor audio levels during mixing and mastering. By using the Waves VU meter, you can achieve a more accurate and natural-sounding mix that will sound great on a wide variety of playback systems.
Now, let's move on to some practical tips on how to use a VU meter, specifically the Waves VU meter, in modern "in-the-box" mixing.
Gain staging
The first and most important step is to set proper gain staging. This means ensuring that the levels of each individual track are set correctly before you start mixing. By setting the levels properly, you can ensure that the mix has a good balance and doesn't clip or distort. Use the Waves VU meter in RMS mode to set the levels of each track, aiming for an average level of around -18 dBFS.
Use it as a reference tool
Once you have set the levels of each individual track, you can use the Waves VU meter as a reference tool throughout the mixing process. You can use it to ensure that the levels of each track are balanced and that the mix has a good overall loudness.
Use the calibration control
As mentioned earlier, the Waves VU meter is calibrated to indicate 0 VU when the average level of a sine wave with a frequency of 1 kHz is 0 dBu. However, your audio material may not always have a frequency of 1 kHz, so it's important to use the calibration control to adjust the calibration of the meter to match your audio material.
Use the ballistics control
The ballistics control determines how quickly the meter responds to changes in audio levels. You can adjust the ballistics control to make the meter respond faster or slower. Use a faster ballistics setting when you need to monitor short-term peaks, such as during tracking or when adjusting the levels of individual tracks. Use a slower ballistics setting when you need to monitor the long-term loudness of the mix, such as during mastering.
Use the scale control
The scale control determines how many dBs are represented by each division of the meter. You can adjust the scale control to make the meter show more or fewer divisions. Use a larger scale when you need to monitor the overall loudness of the mix, and use a smaller scale when you need to monitor the levels of individual tracks.
In summary, the VU meter is an essential tool for music producers and mixers, even in the digital age. The Waves VU meter is a popular and widely used plugin that emulates the behaviour of a classic analog VU meter and provides a simple and intuitive way to monitor audio levels during mixing and mastering. By using the Waves VU meter, you can achieve a more accurate and natural-sounding mix that will sound great on a wide variety of playback systems.
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