People are always asking what the best levels for line up and max peak is for all sorts of devices so this useful chart from The Sound Manifesto - Homepage (http://www.thesoundmanifesto.co.uk) show how the various different meter types correlate to voltage and Db's. It related to a Sign video 44 mixer that has VU's but also applies to most mixers if they are calibrated correctly.

(Note that in the USA they have -20dbfs as their zero setting with -12dbfs as their peak)

http://www.thesoundmanifesto.co.uk/TSM_LineLevels_SignVideo_v5.pdf

Thanks, Gary! This is great information. I have been using the UK spec with my SD-302 at -18dB for my reference and like the results. Going with a little 'hotter' signal 'out' gives me much better audio results.

Actually as i understood it the -20dbfs standard was brought in when digital multitracks were brought out as the analogue guys were sometimes peaking over 0dbfs so sony and mitsibushi added 2db of extra headroom.

For those who use Sound Devices gear, their meters are calibrated so that 0Vu indicated results in 0dBu output.

For those who use Sound Devices gear, their meters are calibrated so that 0Vu indicated results in 0dBu output.

That is good to hear as i have re-calibrated all my shure mixers to follow this as it makes the meters more useable for broadcast levels.

Thanks for posting that Gary.

Another useful world reference levels chart here: http://www.thesoundmanifesto.co.uk/WorldAudioLevelReference.pdf

Thanks, Gary!