Choose a sample to animate the meters.
Upload a file to go mad for meters 🎵
Scope idles until audio loads
Style Tests
Pro Meters
Vertical Mini
Horizontal Mini
Retro VU
levels
-3dB
-12dB
-48dB
palette
ballistics
10ms
100ms
1000ms
3000ms
animation
Dialogue
- Normal speech: -12 to -18 dBFS
- Peak levels: Should not exceed -6 dBFS
- Use as primary reference point for mix
Sound Effects
- Ambient/Background: -18 to -24 dBFS
- Impact/Foreground: Up to -6 dBFS
- Never exceed 0 dBFS (avoid clipping)
Music
- Background/Underscore: -18 to -24 dBFS
- Main/Featured: -12 to -18 dBFS
- Maintain 6-12 dB headroom below dialogue
Key Level Principles
- Use normal dialogue as your primary reference point
- Mix all other elements relative to dialogue levels
- Dynamic content can peak higher, but never allow clipping
- Keep background elements 6-12 dB below primary content
- Maintain peaks below -3 dBFS to prevent distortion
Quick Tips
- Watch the meters during loud passages to catch potential issues
- Use peak indicators to monitor transient spikes
- Pay attention to sustained levels for overall mix balance
- Consider using limiters to prevent accidental peaks