XPost: rec.audio.pro, comp.dsp   
   From: kludge@panix.com   
      
   glen herrmannsfeldt   wrote:   
   >   
   >> Now we know when calibrating with a tone, 0 VU needs to be something   
   >> like -20dBFS to avoid clipping when audio at 0 VU  replaces the tone.   
   >   
   >I thought for CDs the number is supposed to be -12dB, but I am   
   >not sure what is supposed to be at -12dB.  Some CD recorders   
   >have an arrow at -12dB.  (And the meter isn't likely to   
   >have VU ballistics.)   
      
   That's something different.  The CD recorder meter, like almost all digital   
   meters, is peak-reading.  If you set your average levels so that they peak   
   at -12dBFS, that gives you some headroom for an unexpected crescendo.  It   
   is a good rule of thumb.  It is, however, only a rule of thumb.   
   --scott   
      
      
   --   
   "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)