Gadget Addict

ByJeremy P Stanfords

Volume unit meters are devices used to measure a signal level for sound. Sometimes called Volume Indicator or VI, the devices display signal in volume units; hence, the nickname VU meter. As such, they are often embedded in radio equipment.

So, how do people use VU meters?

1. The most critical initial step is to turn off noise or sound-producing devices such as TV, electric fan or radio. This is to ensure that the meters will hear and read the precise sound that it needs to measure.

2. Connect the CD or DVD player to the recorder's line-level input, then plug in the headphone to the recorder.

3. Turn the CD player on. Make sure that there is a CD inside the player.

4. As this is going to be a test to determine the function and purpose of VU meters, three important steps will be done. First, turn the recorder's settings to low-input level. Leave it at that for one minute. At this level, the VU meter will display that the sound peaks below the zero designation.

5. After the one-minute mark, adjust the settings again, this time make sure that the loudest peaks or parts of the music are hitting the zero mark. Again, record for a minute.

6. After one minute, adjust the settings for the third and last time. At this juncture, adjust the levels until the red mark is breached most of the time. Record for a minute, and then stop the music.

7. Rewind the recorder and listen to the recorded music.

8. In the first minute, when the meter displays the sound signal to be well below zero, the music will be clear and steady. However, some of the music's quality will be compromised since the player has not maximized the electronic capacity of the recorder. On the other extreme, when the meter shows the signals constantly breaching the red mark, the music here will be distorted. This is because the music's loudness is too much to handle for the recorder, as is confirmed by the meter hitting the red mark. It is only in the second attempt, in fact, when the music's original quality will be preserved.

This little experiment, which can be performed in school, clearly shows the practical uses of the VU meters. Because of these devices, humanity is able to perform complicated tasks like creating and preserving music, improving telecommunications technology, or even in radiological treatment in the field of medicine. In other words, they play a valuable role in society and can be used in daily life for simple and complex situations.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about VU meters, please visit http://www.hoytmeter.com

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