This animation (it has no
sound, just watch the meter) illustrates
GOOD audio levels. The needle
AVERAGES straight up. It's OK to dip
into the red briefly--and it's OK
to drop back to zero. But the average
should be straight up.
Recording
sound is like the story of the three bears: If the levels
(as measured by a VU meter) are too high--that's bad.
If your levels are too low--that's bad too. You must
record at a level that is "Just Right." And the only
way you can tell if the levels are just right is to
watch your VU meter.
So
here's the important part: when you record audio, you
want to make sure the needle AVERAGES straight up.
It will bounce a little below and a little above--that's
OK. But on average, it should be pointing straight up.
Play
the animation at the right to see how a VU meter should
look.
