MACKIE HDR24/96 - Manual (Page 86)

HDR 24/96
Metering
Monitoring the recording level is essential to the success of any recording session. The HDR offers a
number of options for indicating recording levels at a glance. The front panel 12-step LED meters present
a peak-reading display, while the GUI high resolution, on-screen meters emulate a plasma-type display
with some cool ballistic response options. The REM24 remote controller lets you take your meters with
you to keep an eye on one selected track’s level.
Each meter always displays the output level of its associated track, therefore the meters follow the
monitor mode. When you’re monitoring the input (All Input or Auto Input with tracks armed and
transport idle or recording) the meters display input level. When monitoring playback, the meters display
the recorded signal level. In short, if you’re hearing it, the meters are displaying it. Almost – the meters
ignore track Solo and Mute settings, and just go about their business even if you can’t hear what they’re
indicating.
Nominal reference level for the meters is -18 dBFS. In other words, a meter will read -18 when a signal
level of +4 dBu RMS is applied to the analog input. When the meters are indicating peak level, the
output is a whopping +22 dBu. Be sure the rest of your system has sufficient headroom to handle this
level.
GUI Meters
Meters are generally displayed while tracking, though they’re rarely needed during editing operations.
That’s why, to save screen real estate, the meters share space with the Tools panel. The Meters panel
is opened by clicking on the Meters tab or by selecting Windows | Meters from the pull-down
menu. The meter panel displays 24 meters with a 50 dB range. The GUI meters have higher
resolution (fewer dB per step) than the front panel meters.
Optimum signal to noise ratio and resolution is achieved when recording levels hover somewhere
between -15 and -2 dBFS most of the time. Remember, though, that music is supposed to have some
dynamic range. Don’t worry if the meters go below –30 during the quiet parts, as long as they get
pretty close to 0 during the loud parts.
GUI Meter Ballistics – Peak and Average Modes
There are several variations for GUI the metering display. The two selections pertaining to
metering are Meter Mode and Peak Hold. You’ll find them under the Options menu. Peak Hold
is an on/off toggle. Meter Mode offers choices for meter ballistic response.
Options | Meter Mode | Peak / Average(VU) / Both
Options | Peak Hold
When Peak Meter Mode is selected, the meters have a fast response time and jump upscale
quickly in response to transient sounds.
Average Meter Mode has a slower response, somewhat like an analog VU meter. The meters
move more smoothly than in the Peak mode, representing the average signal level.
Which to use? Most people like watching VU meters, but in the digital world, peak-responding
meters are really more informative. Since they inform you of every peak as it comes along, you
have a reliable warning that you’re recording too hot or not hot enough. The choice is yours.
You can learn to set levels accurately either way.
But wait! You can have it both ways! Selecting the third metering mode, Both, adds a second
vertical bar representing the average level, just to the right of each peak-responding meter.
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