Carvin FX1244P Instruction Manual - Page 19

FX44 Mixer Detailed Control Descriptions Section 3 4) The VU Meters The VU meters indicate the relative output signal levels at the four sub-group outputs. A pair of meter function switches on the system master strip allow the operator to switch the meters from subs 1&2 to MON1-2 to allow monitoring of the signal level at the MONt and MON 2 outputs. Similarly, the sub 3&4 meters can be switched over to display the signal levels at the two-track outputs. It is fairly common in stereo PA setups to normally have meters 3 and 4 switched to monitor the two-track outputs. It is important to realize that there is no single correct reading for the VU meters. Rather, the most important use of the meters is to display relative signal levels. You will often glance at the meters simply to determine if there is a signal present at an output. It is entirely possible to have very little or no meter movement but be producing a perfectly acceptable signal level. In church applications there are many occasions when the VU meters will be just barely moving, but a perfectly acceptable signal level is being reached. This is normal, and the VU meter is simply indicating that you are using very little of the available output level of the console. On the other hand, a rock band may produce levels that would indicate from -10 to +3 VU. Although it is perfectly normal for high level audio signal peaks to indicate on the meter up into the "red" +3dB zone, you should be sure to keep the meter reading comfortably at or around "0" VU as a maximum value. On powered mixers you should always use the power amp clip indicators (located at the far right above the MONO MASTER control) as a guide to the maximum output level of the board. Because the maximum output level of the power amps is dependent on the speaker load the amps are driving it is normal for the meter level that corresponds to power amp clipping to vary according to the type and number of speakers you use. For recording applications the meters and their calibration are more important than for sound reinforcement use. This is because you usually want to squeeze as much signal onto tape as possible without saturating (distorting) the tape. You normally want the meters on the mixer to be calibrated the same, and therefore to read the same, as the meters on the recorder simply to allow you to keep your eyes on the mixer and not have to watch the meters at the recorder all the time. Tech Note on Meter Calibration: The sensitivity of the VU meters can be adjusted to give a reading anywhere from a 30dB to a +10dB tor a 0dBv output signal level. This allows the meters set your meters to any standard. The factory setting is +4dB at the balanced outputs for a "0" VU indication. (See section 4 for the adjustment procedure.) 3-9