Q: Meters and Peak Levels

[DarkStar]

Here I am playing a simple sine wave note.

In MAnalyser, the Max graph shows a peak level of -16.36 dB, but the meter shows a peak of -15.7. Shouldn't they both be the same (Two other meters, FreeG and SPAN showed a peak of -15.7).

... http://i.imgur.com/7xnjoMx.png

Also, I am still uncertain about which scale to use in the time graphs. In the pic are three screenshots, for 3 different scales. Which one should I use and when. And how do I interpret the maximum level? Is it about -9, -16 or -32 dB?

[DarkStar]

... and If I enable a waveform display in the Timegraph and then zoom in, the waveform is not displayed:

Can the waveform be displayed regardless of the vertical zooming / scrolling?

>>> http://i.imgur.com/pHos8zX.png

[jmg8]

-40db is the scale to use.
But I see what you mean about the max time graph being different, not sure?

[jmg8]

Did you maybe use max average?

[DarkStar]

The two graphs were Maximum (Infinite) and Maximum. In the timegraphs it was Input.

Why use the 40dB scale? And, if so what are the others for?

[jmg8]

Well I said to use the -40db simply because it's the one that matches. You knew that your input was around -16db and this scale matches that. Not sure what the others are for to be honest.

I was also having a think about the analyser not matching the peak meter. Maybe it's because you have smoothing and it's rounding off the top of the peak, therefore showing a slightly lower value?

[MeldaProduction]

No no, it will almost never be same, it's just like that, don't think about it . Just imagine that the peak energy is spread between the frequencies (and sine is almost always also multiple frequencies).

As for waveform zooming - sorry, no, this is imho how it should work.

[DarkStar]

OK, I won't think about it any more I can understand that the peak in the graph is for a specific frequency and that below the meters is for multiple frequencies all contributing to the peak level.

Now ... how about those scales? Which ones to use and when? And how to interpret the levels shown in them?

[MeldaProduction]

What do you mean??

[Harry_HH]

This discussion may be useful, not directly linked to OP question but as background information.
All in all, "level measurement & interpretation" in music production is more complicated (made too complicated?) than one could imagine, not to mention different scales, standards and recommendations in EU, USA, etc.

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/masteri ... evels.html

[DarkStar]

What do you mean??

I do not understand how to use the various scales available in the timegraphs.

The three screen-grabs of the timegraphs here show the Input level for the same sound (same pic as earlier):
... http://i.imgur.com/7xnjoMx.png
The graph is the same shape / height for all three. My question is which scale should I use to read the level of the sound? Following on from that, what are the other scales used for?

[MeldaProduction]

Well, to be honest, I sort of regret following the FR that asked for this . Basically I'd recommend just leaving it default... Sometimes there could be multiple units that are not really compatible, but you would need to know... I should removed that crap ...

[DarkStar]

^^^^
I do hope that it wasn't me who asked for the FR

But, on the good side, it has got me to read up on sound levels / standards / peaks etc (again).

[MeldaProduction]

Who knows DarkStar, who knows . It wouldn't be surprising

[alexis1]

No no, it will almost never be same, it's just like that, don't think about it . Just imagine that the peak energy is spread between the frequencies (and sine is almost always also multiple frequencies) ...

Hello - Can someone explain the underlined part please? The OP described a simple sine wave. I thought that was always a single frequency, not "multiple frequencies"?

Thank you!