Advanced Level Meter - Behringer ULTRA-DYNE PRO DSP9024 User Manual

2.3.1 Advanced level meter

Press the softkey B (SINGLE) to call up the advanced level meter.
You can use the advanced level meter to control the input and output levels of the ULTRA-DYNE PRO. The bar
graph displays the effective RMS level (solid parts of the bars), and the peak level (checkered tips of the bars)
simultaneously. To save your eyes, the release time of the peak display is 20 dB/s. Use softkey A (CLEAR) to
erase the maximum levels from the memory. Softkey B switches between the display of the individual bands
(BAND 1 to 6) and the master channel (MASTER). The current selection is shown in the pictogram. Softkey D
(IN/OUT) toggles the display between the input and output levels. Peak Limiter activity is indicated by the "LIM"
in the display. Use softkey C to choose between three different tables of reference levels. The reference
levels are shown with a bold mark on the scale, and the numerical display changes simultaneously.
DIGMAX refers to the digital maximum. This level must not be exceeded under any circumstances. This will
result in a very noticeable form of distortion, which occurs much faster and sounds very much more unpleasant
than the familiar distortion associated with analog devices.
+4 dBu refers to the operating level found in professional audio equipment (analog inputs and outputs of the
ULTRA-DYNE PRO).
-10 dBV refers to the operating level found in home recording and domestic audio equipment, a typical example
being tape recorders with unbalanced RCA connectors.
When setting the ULTRA-DYNE PRO's internal level, or when using the optional AES/EBU interface, the peak
level display of the DIGMAX scale is the ONLY one to use. The +4dBu and -10dBV scales serve to monitor the
analog inputs and outputs of the ULTRA-DYNE PRO. Please note that the RMS level will usually be quoted in
the technical specifications of analog devices, such as for the input sensitivity of power amplifiers.
The RMS level will always be lower than the peak level. The difference is dependent upon the
signal structure. For a static sine wave, the RMS level is about 71% of the peak level, a differ-
ence of 3 dB.
The DIGMAX level is, of course, related to the analog input and output levels, as 0 dB DIGMAX corresponds
to the maximum output level of the ULTRA-DYNE PRO.
The following example, using a sine wave at maximum amplitude, clearly illustrates the relationship between
the various scales:
As can be seen from the above table, the ULTRA-DYNE PRO's maximum analog output level is +16 dBu. The
ULTRA-DYNE PRO's analog input can handle a maximum of +22 dBu.
ULTRA-DYNE PRO DSP9024
Fig. 2.10: Advanced level meter
Scale
DIGMAX
+4 dBu
-10 dBV
Absolute value:
Tab. 2.3: Relationship between display and output level
2. OPERATION
Maximum level
RMS PEAK
-3 dB 0 dB
+9 dB +12 dB
+21 dB +24 dB
+16 dBu
15