Level Meter: Displays the current signal level on a decibel scale. The signal level for each channel is represented by a blue bar. Signals (above the target level) approaching the 0 dB level are represented by a yellow bar. When the level exceeds 0 dB, the portion of the bar above the 0 dB point turns red.
Stereo Level Meter instances show independent left and right bars, whereas mono instances display a single bar.
Surround Level Meter instances display a bar for each channel.
Peak level values are displayed numerically and graphically. You can reset these values by clicking in the display.
Level pop-up menu: Choose a display setting using Peak, RMS, Peak & RMS, True Peak, or True Peak & RMS characteristics.
The True Peak options display interpolated sample values.
RMS levels appear as dark blue bars. Peak levels appear as light blue bars. You can also choose to view both Peak and RMS levels simultaneously.
Target level handle: Drag to set a target level. Signals above this level and below 0 dB are shown in yellow. Surround instances provide discrete handles for center and LFE, with all other channels controlled by a single handle.
View pop-up menu: Choose a Horizontal or Vertical display and set a size.
Note: You can also set a size by dragging the lower corners of the plug-in window.
The peak value is the highest level that the signal will reach. The RMS (root mean square) value is the effective value of the total signal. In other words, it is a measurement of the continuous power of the signal.
Human hearing is optimized for capturing continuous signals, making our ears RMS instruments, not peak reading instruments. Therefore, using RMS meters makes sense most of the time. Alternatively, you can use both RMS and Peak meters.