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   Audio Level Meters  by Paul Marshall

For accurate RECORDING.

I originally designed these audio level meter programs to allow the optimum setting of input levels for various sound recording functions, particularly for video editing. When capturing video and sound from different sources accurate level setting helps maintain a consistency of volume across various clips, and therefore eases the sound mixing.

Playback Output Levels

This meter indicates perfectly accurately what is fed into the wave input channel. To monitor playback output levels you have two options:


1. use the Windows Mixer ‘What You Hear’ or ‘Stereo Mix’ option if you have it. Often Windows 7 and above have this disabled.  See how to enable this feature.


2.  Feed the wave output back into the wave input externally with a cable.


These meters can be very useful operated in this way but for accurate work you would need to calibrate it. 

As an aid to calibration here are two  Calibration Tone Wave Files  (zipped) you can download *.

These are both 400Hz tones, one recorded at a level of 4dB below Full Scale Digital (-4dB) and the other at -10dB.


Playback the tone file and set up the meter so it reads wherever you want it on the scale.   


 * Right-click and 'Save Target As...'  to download.


Requirements:  A soundcard capable of 44.1KHz 16 bit stereo sampling is required.  For  Windows XP, Vista, 7  or above

Note: ASIO drivers are not supported.

It is possible to have dozens of instances of the Level Meter running simultaneously if one was mad enough. The processor load is very small.

Using this meter with Windows 2000 / 95 / 98 / ME

With Windows versions prior to XP it is not normally possible to use the meter at the same time as other programs which are recording audio. This is because there is normally only one wave input channel, even though there may be several playback channels available simultaneously. Use the level meter to preview prior to recording. Set up levels, then close the level meter before starting the actual recording program.

However, it is now possible to add a tool called 'Wave Clone' which will allow simultaneous use of the meter and other audio programs. Visit the Wave Clone web site for more information.


Accessing the Options.    Right-click over the background area to call up the Options and About screen. Options vary from meter to meter. Most should be self-explanatory.

Calibration.  0dB on the VU-style meter could be set to represent the absolute maximum the system can handle, the so-called FSD or full-scale-digital. There is no scale above 0 because in a digital system there is no more! Some soundcards limit before hitting the theoretical full scale output of a 16 bit ADC. In any case it is unnecessary and unwise to push the soundcard to it's absolute limit. Stay out of the red to leave a bit of headroom. (The PPM is normally set up with more headroom.)


If you cannot obtain the reading you want you may need to adjust the source level. See this page, and select the input source as required.

Digital Peak Programme Meter 

 If you need to run multiple meters monitoring more than one source there is a Multi-Channel Level Meter for up to 24 channels.

Download Digital Peak Programme Meter version 1.90 Installer 

Use of this program is free and unrestricted. However, if you find my program useful please consider making a small contribution via PayPal.

 If you need to run multiple meters monitoring more than one source there is a Multi-Channel Level Meter for up to 24 channels.

In response to several requests for an analogue-style PPM along the lines of the BBC ME12/9 here is my version. Originally presented largely for nostalgia it has proved to be extremely useable!

Not quite as smooth as the real thing,  but it does approximately conforms to the spec which states that for a 5kHz tone burst the meter will read as follows:


Fallback time: 2.5 - 3.0 secs fall from 7 to 1.

To operate the Post Office lever key switch click on the graphic or labels  right, centre or left, or drag side to side. If you don't want to show the switch the window can be closed down to obscure the switch but you can still double-click the display to toggle between AB and MS modes.  As usual, right click to access the options.

There is also an 'Over' Led which can be set to a level of the users choice. This operates in the digital domain so is not subject to the needle ballistics and may indicate very short transients.

Some comments from users:

" ...I've compared your PPMs to hardware ones, and they're so close as to be considered identical." - AC

" - by far the best displays I have ever seen for a PC screen - and very accurate too." - AR

"Congratulations on your level meters, they really are stunning and as an ex BBC local radio presenter / tech op very nostalgic." - GL

"Let me tell you the ppm1.42 and the others from you is my favorite vu meter for a long time. It looks like very fine and working very good without crashes on every system!" - RS

"I'm just trying out your 'Analogue' PPMs, and am really impressed!" - MP

"I used your PPM to set levels on playbacks into the last series of Doctor Who. If you saw the 'Weakest Link' and 'What not to wear' sequences then that was your software plus a great play-in program called Soundplant."  - NH

"Everyone I show your meters to absolutely loves them!"  - AC

“Viewing it alongside both REAL Sifam meters, RTW Vectorscope & a Chromatec display I must say it looks perfect.” - RH

"THANK YOU for this excellent creation. You changed my life."  - VK    -  WOW!

"On a whole, the performance for the Darkwood level meters is very impressive!"  - WH

"Your meters are great. Is there a version for the MAC?"  - Sorry, No.

Latest version 1.60   16th March 2013

New version fixes bug with non-administrator users unable to save settings.

Download PPM ME12  Version 1.61 installer

Use of this program is free and unrestricted. However, if you find my program useful please consider making a small contribution via PayPal.

Mini PPM

The large PPM is approximately life size. As this is may be a bit large here is a smaller version. Click the push button to switch to M/S mode. There is no 20db boost button. If you don't want to switch to mono/stereo mode the window can be closed down to obscure the switch. As usual, right click to access the options. When the switch is obscured you can still change modes by double-clicking on the window.

There is no title bar on this version. You can move it by dragging anywhere on the window. To exit use the taskbar menu.

Download PPM Mini  Version 1.5 installer

Latest version 1.50   16th March 2013    New version fixes bug with non-administrator users unable to save settings.

 If you need to run multiple meters monitoring more than one source there is a Multi-Channel Level Meter for up to 24 channels.

Use of this program is free and unrestricted. However, if you find my program useful please consider making a small contribution via PayPal.

Twin Peak Programme Meters 

.Seperate meters reading left & right.There is no title bar on this version. You can move it by dragging anywhere on the window, and to exit use the taskbar menu. Double-clicking reveals a button for MS mode.

Resizeable. From the settings screen (right-click) to enter the width you require in pixels from a really tiny but fully formed 100 pixels wide up to a monster 800 pixels wide. Click OK to save the changes and then restart for the new size to take effect.

Download PPM Twin  Version 1.7 installer

Version 1.70   28th December 2013  Bug fix with some device names not being recognised

Version 1.60   16th March 2013    New version fixes bug with non-administrator users unable to save settings.

 If you need to run multiple meters monitoring more than one source there is a Multi-Channel Level Meter for up to 24 channels.

Use of this program is free and unrestricted. However, if you find my program useful please consider making a small contribution via PayPal.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8.


Features:


Fallback ballistics are accurately modelled but the attack time (eg the BBC spec of 2.5dB down for a 10ms burst of 5Khz) is only approximate. Very short peaks such as 1.5ms register -4dB instead of -9dB as per spec. The fallback time from 1 to 7 is in line with BBC specifications, 2.5 to 3 seconds. You may prefer a faster fallback, especially as there are the peak markers, so the fallback time can be adjusted by means of an arbitrary value entered on the options page. A value of 2 corresponds to the BBC PPM spec. Values up to 10 speed up the decay.


Mono matrix can be set to M = (A+B) - 3dB or 6dB. Traditionally the BBC have used M3, though M6 is increasingly used. Channels can be labelled L & R or A & B.Displays Left, Right, Mono (sum) and Stereo (difference) simultaneously.


The peak markers can be set to hold the peak. Click on the window to reset.


There is also a 20dB button. This increases the gain of of the Stereo difference indication  by 20dB (10 times). M, L & R are not affected.


The colour of each bar can be set to any colour from the options screen. By default all bars are green but it possible to have, for example, red and green for A and B.


Clicking on the small button bottom-left closes the Mono & Stereo display for those where only Left & Right is wanted.The settings can be locked.


Tick the 'Lock Settings' box and enter a password which will allow un-locking. To unlock, click the 'Lock Settings' box and enter the password. This is not high security and is only intended to prevent accidental changes. The lock can be removed by deleting the .ini file.


The 'Over' indication can be set to any level. Beware of trying to come to close to full scale digital. Some soundcards have limiters and may not reach 0dB.

Wide Range Meter

'Analogue' Peak Programme Meter ME12 

Quad PPM - A, B, M and S


For Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8


Displays A, B, M and S simultaneously.

The 'Over' Led can be set to a level of the users choice. This operates in the digital domain so is not subject to the needle ballistics and may indicate very short transients.

Resizeable. From the settings screen (right-click),  enter the width you require in pixels from a really tiny but fully formed 100 pixels wide up to a monster 800 pixels wide. Click OK to save the changes and then restart for the new size to take effect.

Download PPM Quad Version 1.5 installer

Latest Version 1.50  2nd April 2013  Fixes bug in Overload indication

Version 1.40    Fixes error with some device names

Version 1.30    Fixes bug with non-administrator users unable to save settings.

 If you need to run multiple meters monitoring more than one source there is a Multi-Channel Level Meter for up to 24 channels.

Use of this program is free and unrestricted. However, if you find my program useful please consider making a small contribution via PayPal.

© Paul Marshall 2011

Peak Programme Meter with Audio Description

By special request I have created a version of the BBC PPM that can be used by a person who is visually impaired.

It will speak the numbers 1 to 7 via the wave out channel, with an alarm sound for clipping. It repeats at a rate you can set (right-click for the settings), about 2 seconds seems reasonable. The number corresponds to the peak level (left or right) since the last time it spoke, rounded down. In other words the actual level will be a bit above the number so aim to get mainly 5’s. Strictly speaking 6 is maximum but occasional 6’s will be ok, depending on how much headroom you have set up. There is 4dB between numbers.


The audio description can be toggled on and off by double-clicking the meter window or with the SPACE bar but the ‘Clipping’ or overload indication at -1.5dB is always indicated by an alarm ‘bong’ sound.


For Windows 7, Vista and XP.

Alternatively there is what I call delta mode where the meter speaks only when the number changes, at a maximum rate of 0.4 secs..The speech can be toggled on and off by double-clicking on the meter, or pressing the space bar, or from the settings page. The program always starts with speech on.

The visually impaired user may need assistance from a sighted person to set this up. I will be interested to hear any ideas to make this program easier to use or to set up.

Download PPM AD  Version 1.20 Installer 

Use of this program is free and unrestricted. Please let me know if you find it useful.

“I would like to say a MEGA thank you for all the hard work you have put into developing tools such as the VU Meters on your website” - Mike


Next Home Previous #Digital

Digital ‘PPM’

Under-reads very short peaks  slightly like a traditional BBC PPM.

Digital Level Meter

For accurate peaks and steady state readings.

Wide Range Level Meter

For accurate peaks and steady state readings. With phase monitoring and a 60dB range.

Windows 7 and above - Enabling "What U Hear" Recording


A number of users have found when updating to Windows 7 that they can no longer monitor their sound output by selecting “what you hear” as an input to the level meter. Basically, the feature has been disabled in Windows 7. Worse, in Windows 10 the options are hidden as well as disabled. The settings given here have worked for some. It may not always work, it would depend on your sound driver, but worth a look.


How to enable ‘What U Hear’ or ‘Stereo Mix’

Digital Level Meter

With 0.1dB resolution readout, Ideal for accurate steady state measurements or for reading peaks however short.


For Windows XP, Vista, 7 or above.   Requires WDM drivers, does not support ASIO.

The button to the left of the readout switches the digital readout to follow the maximum peak markers or the instantaneous ‘live’ peaks. In conjunction with the peak hold feature this enables transient peaks to be read accurately.

Zero is referenced to Full Scale Digital, athough this can be modified with the calibration adjustment to provide some headroom as required.


Sample rate can be set to match recording if necessary.


Infinite peak hold setting if required, even across program restarts. Reset by double-clicking meter display.


If you need to run multiple meters monitoring more than one source there is a Multi-Channel Level Meter for up to 24 channels.

Download Digital Level Meter Version 1.90 installer


Latest version 1.90   9th November 2016    Adjustable sample rate added. Peak hold truly infinite.

Use of this program is free and unrestricted. However, if you find my program useful please consider making a small contribution via PayPal.

#Analogue

‘Analogue’ style BBC PPMs

ME/12      Mini-PPM

Twin PPM     Quad PPM