Boxes with VUs?

newbold · #1 05-22-2009, 10:56 PM

For example:

I'd like to see my gain structure.

bongomania · #2 05-22-2009, 11:01 PM

The thing is, unfortunately, the vast majority of the ones you see in small units like that are just completely inaccurate and useless as anything but decoration. I mean it might help you if there is no signal registering at all, or if the needle is pegged all the way to the right, but otherwise... not so much. At present I can't think of any pedals or small modules that have a somewhat worthwhile VU meter. Wait, I think the Yamaha Magicstomp did, and it seems plausible that some of the other digital multis out there might too.

newbold · #3 05-23-2009, 12:27 AM

and of course, Ashdown has VUs but I don't need any more effects.

How off would you say the ART stuff is? It's not really guitar pedal stuff. I've seen a number of people using these as DIs but mostly for recording.

Nick Kay · #4 05-23-2009, 12:38 AM

The correct answer is Dorrough.

bongomania · #5 05-23-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbold

and of course, Ashdown has VUs

Strictly decorative ones. The needles bounce back and forth, but represent nothing useful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbold

How off would you say the ART stuff is? It's not really guitar pedal stuff. I've seen a number of people using these as DIs but mostly for recording.

It's not as bad as the Ashdown ones IME, but not great either. Everything else about the ART's is great bang per buck, so I'm not dissing the products or brand at all--just the practical usefulness of the meters.

TheBassBloke · #6 05-23-2009, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

The correct answer is Dorrough.

OMG! I just squiled. For starters, I REARRRRRY want a pair of those nice big ones, facing me on stage so I can match my levels before and after effects *so there is no major volume change when i turn pedals on in recordings and in live gigs* but crap! $4000 for a pair!?!?!?!
Is it really worth it?

scotch · #7 05-23-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBassBloke

OMG! I just squiled. For starters, I REARRRRRY want a pair of those nice big ones, facing me on stage so I can match my levels before and after effects *so there is no major volume change when i turn pedals on in recordings and in live gigs* but crap! $4000 for a pair!?!?!?!
Is it really worth it?

Umm... probably not when you could just use your ears ($0.00) to match levels.

I admit, it's a novel idea to put some vu's on your board- but the utility will likely be far outweighed by the price and space taken up.

If you don't trust your ears for some reason- you could invest in a sensitive db meter & set and mark your levels. Still, I'd bet your ears can do the job!

TheBassBloke · #8 05-24-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Umm... probably not when you could just use your ears ($0.00) to match levels.

I admit, it's a novel idea to put some vu's on your board- but the utility will likely be far outweighed by the price and space taken up.

If you don't trust your ears for some reason- you could invest in a sensitive db meter & set and mark your levels. Still, I'd bet your ears can do the job!

Haha, yeah i know i just wanted to put them there mostly for aesthetic reasons, but holy ****, $4000 for a simple circuit and some LED's sounds just a taddddd steep. Maybe it's just me :P

bongomania · #9 05-24-2009, 08:40 AM

It's all about accuracy and reliability. For a fancy light show, yeah that price is hella steep. Even for somebody who is interested in accuracy but where it's not critical, there are other products that work fine for way less money. But if you are engineering records that might sell a million copies, and you are getting paid to do it right the first time, it's worth it to buy the most accurate and reliable meters available.

I've seen some really sweet LED VU bar-meter kits on DIY electronic kit sites, at very reasonable prices, so that's the route I'd suggest. It's an easy build requiring only basic soldering skills.