Audio level meter using LM3915

An analog VU meter is commonly found in audio equipment to indicate signal levels in volume units. It features a peak LED and compares the response of the VU meter (represented by a black line) with the instantaneous input level (shown in gray areas) of a drum beat. The measurement is intentionally slow, averaging the peaks and valleys of short durations to reflect perceived loudness. This device was originally developed in 1939 through a collaborative effort between Bell Labs and broadcasters CBS and NBC to measure and standardize phone line levels. The instrument used to measure volume is often referred to as a volume unit (VU) indicator, although most users simply call it a VU meter. The typical scale of a VU meter ranges from -20 to +3 dB, with rise and fall times of 300 milliseconds. This indicates that if a constant sine wave of 0 VU amplitude is suddenly applied, it will take 300 milliseconds to reach 0 on the scale. The VU meter functions as a full-wave instrument on average and is not optimized for measuring peak levels.

The analog VU meter operates on the principle of integrating the audio signal over a defined period, providing an average representation of the signal level rather than instantaneous peaks. The design typically includes a magnetoelectric movement, which is sensitive to the audio signal's voltage changes. As the audio signal passes through the meter, it generates a magnetic field that moves a needle across a calibrated scale.

The inclusion of a peak LED serves as an additional feature, allowing users to visually monitor peak signal levels, which can be critical for preventing distortion during audio recording and playback. The slow response time of the VU meter, characterized by its 300-millisecond rise and fall times, makes it particularly suitable for monitoring program material that has a dynamic range, such as music and speech, rather than fast transient signals.

In practical applications, the VU meter is often integrated into mixing consoles, audio interfaces, and various audio processing equipment. The typical layout of the VU meter includes a scale marked in decibels (dB), where the zero reference point corresponds to 0 VU. The scale generally extends from -20 dB to +3 dB, providing a clear visual representation of the audio signal's amplitude relative to the reference level.

The VU meter's functionality is essential in professional audio environments, as it aids engineers and producers in achieving optimal levels during mixing and mastering processes. Despite its limitations in peak level measurement, its ability to reflect perceived loudness makes it a valuable tool in the audio engineering toolkit.An analog VU meter is often included in the audio equipment to display signal levels in volume units. Analog VU meters with peak LED Another Thumbnail magnetoelectric VU meter response of a VU meter (black line) compared with the instantaneous input level (gray areas) of a drum beat.

Level in dB and the time in seconds VU electric meterIt is inte ntionally a slow  measurement, the average of peaks and valleys of short duration to reflect the material considered loudness. It was originally developed in 1939 by a joint effort of Bell Labs and Broadcaster CBS and NBC to measure and standardize the level of the phone line.

The instrument used to measure the volume of VU-called indicator (VI) instrument. Most users ignore this and call it a VU meter. The following is a schematic drawing: VU typical scale is from -20 to +3. The rise and fall times of both 300 meters milliseconds, which means that if a constant sine wave of amplitude 0 VU is applied suddenly, the 300 meters will take milliseconds to reach 0 on a scale. Behaves as a full-wave instrument on average, and not optimal to measure the peak level. 🔗 External reference