VU meter - don't know how I lived without it!

David Gatti · 8th May 2006, 11:16 PM

This is a nice kit from Qkits http://store.qkits.com/ that I put together & incorporated with my active filter.
Really interesting to see just how much power I'm using - usually about 1 watt!

More write up here :
http://www.gattiweb.com/VUmeter.html

Cyrus_s · 15th May 2006, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David Gatti
This is a nice kit from Qkits http://store.qkits.com/ that I put together & incorporated with my active filter.
Really interesting to see just how much power I'm using - usually about 1 watt!

More write up here :
http://www.gattiweb.com/VUmeter.html

Seeing levels hop around is indeed fun. For now all I've got are the few on my mixer or the signal/clip lights on the amps.

IIRC PE has a version as well.

adason · 15th May 2006, 11:27 AM

i have the same experience, the wattage we use during normal listening is miniscule, i measured mine directly on lowthers many times, usually few hundreds of milliwatts

however, once you start cranking it up (this happens from time to time during parties or so), than you will see that 10 or even 100 watts comes quickly, its not a problem to clip and amp, once you turn the volume up

on the other hand, if you never have the need to play it too loud, than few watts amplifier should do, offcourse it depends on efficiency of the speakers, the higher the efficiency, the better

i have built many led indicators, if you are interested in schematics for led indicator, which does not require power, and is just connected to the speaker, i can scan it and post it

facundonu · 15th May 2006, 10:58 PM

please do!

David Gatti · 15th May 2006, 11:30 PM

There seems to be very few power meters on the market for some reason. What happened to amps with power meters like in the 70s?
The biggest impact on power levels seems to be with low frequencies so I can see a definite place in sub amps.

adason · 18th May 2006, 10:49 AM

here it is
you can make it with any number of leds

adason · 18th May 2006, 10:53 AM

i made a couple of them with 7 leds in a row
it indicates from 3 to 50 watts
a while ago i made even 12 leds indicator
nice things about these are no power, just stick on top of the speaker

facundonu · 18th May 2006, 10:05 PM

thanks a lot!
will be using them as soon as possible.

JoshK · 19th May 2006, 01:50 AM

personally I have a irrational fondness for analog meters and a general distaste for blinking LEDs.

Relax · 19th May 2006, 02:44 AM

True Dat!

Anyone got a schematic for an analog version that also hooks directly up?

Bouncing needles are way more fun than blinking lights.

15th May 2006, 10:58 PM	#4
facundonu diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: buenos aires	please do! __________________ old fashioned 3 way http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...threadid=81723 small sub http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...threadid=93185

18th May 2006, 10:05 PM	#8
facundonu diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: buenos aires	thanks a lot! will be using them as soon as possible. __________________ old fashioned 3 way http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...threadid=81723 small sub http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...threadid=93185

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15th May 2006, 11:27 AM	#3
adason diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: home sweet home	i have the same experience, the wattage we use during normal listening is miniscule, i measured mine directly on lowthers many times, usually few hundreds of milliwatts however, once you start cranking it up (this happens from time to time during parties or so), than you will see that 10 or even 100 watts comes quickly, its not a problem to clip and amp, once you turn the volume up on the other hand, if you never have the need to play it too loud, than few watts amplifier should do, offcourse it depends on efficiency of the speakers, the higher the efficiency, the better i have built many led indicators, if you are interested in schematics for led indicator, which does not require power, and is just connected to the speaker, i can scan it and post it

15th May 2006, 11:30 PM	#5
David Gatti diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia	There seems to be very few power meters on the market for some reason. What happened to amps with power meters like in the 70s? The biggest impact on power levels seems to be with low frequencies so I can see a definite place in sub amps.

19th May 2006, 01:50 AM	#9
JoshK diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Toronto, ON	personally I have a irrational fondness for analog meters and a general distaste for blinking LEDs.

19th May 2006, 02:44 AM	#10
Relax diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dayton	True Dat! Anyone got a schematic for an analog version that also hooks directly up? Bouncing needles are way more fun than blinking lights.

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