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Chapter 8 Metering tools 147
Correlation Meter
Correlation Meter displays the phase relationship of a stereo signal.
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A correlation of +1 (the far right position) means that the left and right channels correlate
100%—they are completely in phase.
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A correlation of 0 (the center position) indicates the widest permissible left/right divergence,
often audible as an extremely wide stereo eect.
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Correlation values lower than 0 indicate that out-of-phase material is present, which can lead
to phase cancelations if the stereo signal is combined into a monaural signal.
Level Meter plug-in
Level Meter displays the current signal level on a decibel scale. The signal level for each channel
is represented by a blue bar. When the level exceeds 0 dB, the portion of the bar to the right of
the 0 dB point turns red.
Stereo Level Meter instances show independent left and right bars, whereas mono instances
display a single bar. Surround instances display a bar for each channel—in a vertical, rather than
horizontal, orientation.
The current peak values are displayed numerically, superimposed over the graphic display. You
can reset these values by clicking in the display.
Level Meter parameters
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Display type pop-up menu: Choose a display setting using Peak, RMS, Peak & RMS, Inter Sample
Peak, Inter Sample Peak & RMS characteristics.
The Inter Sample Peak options display inter-sample values.
RMS levels appear as dark blue bars. Peak levels appear as light blue bars. You can also choose
to view both Peak and RMS levels simultaneously.
Peak and RMS levels
The peak value is the highest level that the signal will reach. The RMS (root mean square) value
is the eective value of the total signal. In other words, it is a measurement of the continuous
power of the signal.
Human hearing is optimized for capturing continuous signals, making our ears RMS instruments,
not peak reading instruments. Therefore, using RMS meters makes sense most of the time.
Alternatively, you can use both RMS and Peak meters.