What is VUMeter?
VUMeter is a digital audio device with a digital output that is commonly used in audio mastering or mixing applications. A volume meter or normal volume indicator is a small device showing a graphical representation of the electrical signal in electronic equipment. The first model was proposed in the late 1940's IRE paper, A New Standard Volumeindicator and Its Evaluation, by experts from Bell Telephone Laboratories, NBC, and Philips. Since then VUMeter has been continuously developed and enhanced in terms of both functionality and accuracy, as well as in appearance.
VUMeter has been greatly improved since its early conception due to the input of new technologies like electronic samplers, optical filters, as well as computer-generated noise control. These new technologies have allowed VUMeter to provide greater accuracy as well as resolution in comparison to other audio recording devices. The latest addition to the VUMeter family is Vuplayer, which is a digital audio player/lavender player/remote that connects to VUMeter through a serial port. In essence, Vuplayer acts as a standard VUMeter receiver using the same circuitry and software, but also implementing advanced features including Vuplayer library and session sharing among multiple VUMeter recordings.
There are four components of VUMeter. There is the front panel, which contains knobs for input and output volume control. The two power switches on the front panel are used for switching power sources. The fourth component is called the metering board. This contains the measurement circuitry, which is responsible for displaying the electrical signal level in digital form. The audio signal is amplified by the power switches and the audio monitoring section is activated when one of the controls, such as the volume button, is pressed.
