Operation Manual

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54 ML5000 User Guide

T GRP/AUX VU Meters 1-8. Illuminated moving

coil VU (volume unit) meters display the output

levels of mix 1 to 8. Depending on the setting of the

underpanel mode switches F1 these display group

or aux signals. The signal is metered post-fade,

post-mute.

U1 MAIN LRC VU Meters. Illuminated VU

meters display the output levels of the main mix.

The signal is metered post-fade, post-mute. The

meters automatically switch to display PFL or AFL

levels when a PAFL or AFL switch is selected.

U2 MAIN LRC Led Meters. These 16 LED bar

meters duplicate the readings of the main VU

meters. They also switch to display PFL or AFL

when selected. Sensitivity ranges from –30dB to

+16dB. A 0dB meter reading represents 0dBu at

the main XLR outputs.

Three LED colours display signal condition:

Green. Normal signal readings up to 0dB.

Yellow. Hot signal readings above 0dB and up to

12dB. Loud moments reading up to 6dB are fine.

Higher readings warn of reduced headroom.

Red. Lights at +16dB to warn that you are within

5dB of clipping and audible distortion. If this flashes

then reduce the gain or mix levels.

U3 PAFL and AFL Indicators. These light

when an input PAFL or output AFL switch is

selected. They show that the main meters and

console monitor are switched to the P/AFL rather

than main mix signals.

U4 CALL Lamp. Lights when the intercom is

being signalled. Its large size and position in the

meterpod ensure it grabs the attention of the

operator when signalled.

V1 MATRIX Meter Select. Press the METERS

switch in the master section N to switch the right

hand VU meters to display the Matrix 1-8 rather

than Aux 9-16 output levels. The green LED in the

meterpod lights when matrix is selected.

V2 AUX/MATRIX VU Meters. Illuminated

moving coil VU (volume unit) meters display the

output levels of Aux 9-16 or Matrix 1-8 if selected.

The signal is metered post-fade/level, post-mute.

Meter Types

Both VU and LED bar types of meter are provided

on the ML5000. This gives you the best of both

average and peak metering.

VU Meter. The VU (volume unit) meter is an

established standard for measuring audio signals.

Unlike LED meters, it is easy to read under all

lighting conditions. This makes it well suited to

outdoor festival work. It has reasonably slow

dynamics (attack and release) and is therefore good

at displaying the average music programme. It is

not able to display fast peaks and transients. The

scale is restricted between –20 and +5 to provide

good resolution around average reading. A reading

of ‘0’ represents 0dBu at the main outputs.

LED Bar Meter. This meter comprises a ladder of

LEDs each set to light when the signal reaches its

preset level. It has the advantage of much faster

dynamics and can show the musical peaks and

transients. The scale is extended to read from a

low –30 to a very high +16 which represents a peak

warning 5dB before clipping.

Changing from LRC to LCR

The meters and faders are ordered LRC which is

preferred for most live sound applications. Internal

jumper link options are available to re-order the

faders and/or the meters to LCR if your application

requires it. This does not affect the order of the

P/AFL metering. Contact Allen & Heath for details.