M-Audio Delta R-BUS Manual page 21

PEAK METERS
Each peak meter indicates an audio signal level in "dB relative to
full-scale." This means that a full-scale signal is referred to as "0 dB" and
a signal that is 12dB "quieter" than full-scale is referred to as "-12dB." The
meters are vertically color-coded into three sections: green, yellow and
red. The green section represents a safe zone, ranging from
approximately -48dB to -12dB. Most audio signals should appropriately
fill this section of the meter. The yellow section ranges from -12dB to
-3dB as the signal approaches a 'hotter' level. For best capture
resolution, recording in this area is both safe and advised. The red section
of the meter ranges from -3dB to 0dB. On the input level meters, a 0dB
condition indicates overload and audio clipping may occur. Therefore be
careful to adjust the incoming audio levels so that they do not peak in the
red section too long (you might use the monitoring capability of the Delta
R-BUS to let your ears be the judge). On all output level meters, 0dB
indicates full-scale output. Unlike the inputs, clipping is impossible on
the outputs because of the 36-bit resolution built into the mixer hardware.
MASTER VOLUME
At the left side of the Monitor Mixer page, you will see the 'Master
Volume' faders and peak meters. These faders have the longest 'throw'
and highest meter resolution of any level controls in the mixer page.
They control the overall stereo level of the mixer output. The peak meters
indicate the output signal levels with respect to full-scale and are directly
affected by the settings of the master volume faders.
MIXER INPUTS: The 'Mixer Inputs' are inputs to the monitor mixer.
These inputs accept hardware audio streams (directly from the Delta's
R-BUS input ports and analog or the S/PDIF digital input port) and
software audio streams (digital audio generated in software to be
output). This combination of streams makes the monitor mixer extremely
flexible. Each mixer input channel has its own level fader and may be
panned anywhere in the left/right stereo field. Each input also has its
own peak meter. The peak meters indicate the incoming "pre-fader"
levels of the incoming audio, and are therefore not affected by the fader
settings. However, the input faders do affect the levels of the signals
exiting the mixer and you will see the affect of the input faders on the
output "Master Volume" peak meters.
Because of the large number of mixer inputs, not all inputs are displayed
simultaneously. You may use the scroll bar at the bottom of the Delta
Control Panel to scroll the view left or right. On the PC, from far left to
right the inputs are labeled "WavOut 1/2" through "WavOut 7/8," then
"WavOut SP/ANA." These inputs accept the digital audio streams being
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