DK METER User Manual DK METER – Audio & Loudness Metering Complete 1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 4 BEFORE YOU BEGIN… ............................................................................................................................................... 4 ABOUT THIS MANUAL ............................................................................................................................................... 4 OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES ...
PHASE CORRELATION.............................................................................................................................................. 26 STARFISH®........................................................................................................................................................... 26 JELLYFISH™..........................................................................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION Before you begin… Thank you for purchasing one of the DK Meter family members. With the DK Meter you are well equipped to meet the growing challenges within Audio and Loudness metering. The DK Meter complies with all major Broadcast loudness standards and delivers outstanding metering precision and clear read-outs, not merely on Loudness, but across the full range of audio metering tools.
Other Important Notes Disclaimer No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and scanning, for any purpose, without the prior written consent of DKTechnologies A/S. The company aims to ensure that all details in this document are correct at the time of publication, but reserves the right to alter specifications and equipment without notice. The latest version will be available upon request.
Quick guide If you just want to get going If you just want to get going with your new DK Meter right away, here are a few simple steps to get it up and running. 1. Connect the included power supply or power your meter directly from your computer USB port. 2. Powering up your meter, you will see the on-board quick setup guide – if you want to disregard that, slide across the three touch buttons from left-to-right (you can always return to the guide later). 3.
Basic Operation Mounting your DK Meter The DK Meter is supplied with an adjustable mounting bracket. The top piece is mounted onto the DK Meter with the two included screws, while the desktop piece is mounted with four screws. Additional fixing options and mounts are available from DK-Technolgies.com or from RAM on http://www.rammount.com .
Sliding Windows and Views The sliding function described above allows you to easily move from one meter setup to another, as well as entering the background Quick setup, preset and Setup menus. You will find both the Quick Setup and Advanced Setup menu on either ends of the views in Portrait and Horizontal mode respectively. Adv.
The Preset and Quick Setup When powering up your meter for the first time, the ‘Preset and Quick Setup’ menu will be shown as the first display. The Preset and Quick Setup menu, allows for a simplified and fast way of setting up you DK Meter. More advanced settings and functions are edited in the ‘Setup’ menu reached by sliding from right to left.
Dynamic Preset Example Digital Input 5.1 Surround LCR channel order Integrated Loudness Bar-graph R128 Loudness Setup LEQM Meter scale The naming of a preset may be customized in the ‘Advanced Setup Menu’ under the Audio Global/Preset Folder (see more in the ‘Setup Menu’ section). Step 2 - Input and Channel Order The Input and Channel Order section allows you to easily select both your preferred input source and the order of the incoming channels.
Graphical Bar-graph Width The graphical width of the bar-graphs may be altered. If set to ‘Auto’, the Meter will dynamically adapt the width. Selecting ‘Normal’ will allow you to manually define the width in the ‘Setup’ Menu. Please see the ‘Setup Menu’ section for further details on the ‘Normal’ or manual width definition.
Time Source – Internal or SMPTE When tracking loudness levels, it is essential to have a time base. DK Meter includes its own arbitrary time, starting from 00 for every time a new Loudness measurement is initiated and continued until Stop or Reset is pressed. Additionally, DK Meter features the ability to read, view and log against an external SMPTE or LTC timecode. The Time Source Parameter determines whether you want to use the internal DK Meter time or external SMPTE time code.
Graphical Loudness Portrait (View 2) The graphical loudness view, allows for several different simultaneous views. On top of the four standard text readouts and phase meter, it features level bargraphs adhering to the defined scale, while the dual Loudness bars are referring to the defined loudness scale. In essence, this means that two independent scales are viewed at the same time. Furthermore, the Loudness level is plottet against time as a graphical track on screen, allowing for a historical view.
As an extra option, the MSD View may be changed to display moving coil emulations instead of bargraphs. The moving coil emulation may be changed here: Adv. Setup/Preset/Meter Setup/Display mode The ‘Moving Coil Dual’ mode allows you the ultrawide Moving Coil instrument displaying left and right channel in the same instrument FFT mode (View 6) The FFT view, simply features a 1024 band FFT spectrum analyzer.
Meter Setup & Audio Routing Automated Meter Setup As you are probably aware by now, the DK Meter is quite a complex piece of equipment. In order to simplify setup, the DK Meter has an integrated auto setup function that ensures that bar-graphs, loudness, vectorscope and other instruments has pre-wired inputs. For example; the bar-graphs will automatically position Left and Right channel as the first two bar-graphs and then route them onto the phase correlation meter.
This means that if your meter has de-embedded SDI channels, you will see these, just like digital and analogue sources will show if enable on your meter. Internal Sources As mentioned, the Meter includes a number of internal sources that has specific functions like ‘Off’, Sum, Difference, Loudness etc. These come handy for setting up special functionality like a Loudness Bar-graph, or adding MS viewing to the Moving Coil emulation.
Audio Routing parameters included in preset All of the above outlined Audio routing and re-label functions are stored instantly in the current preset, with the Global Label Master as the only exception. This means that your routing and labeling may be completely altered by the flick of a preset change, while the Global Label Master stays fixed independent of preset changes.
The Advanced Setup Menu The Setup Menu The Setup Menu holds the access to all of the background parameters of your DK Meter. In order to understand the functionality, it is important for you to read through the different sections. Many of the parameters will alter preset parameters and hence are instantly stored. Therefor it might be relevant to select the desire preset to be edited before proceed with customizing your meter setting in the Setup Menu.
Preset – Folder The Preset folder contains detailed parameters for setting both audio routing, meter displays and Loudness settings. The follow paragraphs explain each sub menu and its functionality. Matrix Output Assign – Selecting your Meter Source The Matrix Output Assign/Meter folder lets you choose what source is routed to your Bar-graph display. Please refer to the Meter Setup and Audio Routing section for further information.
The ‘Colour Normal’ sets the color of each bar-graph below the ‘Peak level’ in the ‘Normal’ area. Colour Under A threshold defines when the input signal is considered ‘under’ the ‘Normal’ level. The ‘Colour Under’ sets the color of each bar-graph when below the defined threshold. Under Level Range: 0 to -25dB The ‘Under Level’ determines when the signal is considered ‘Under’ the normal level.
Loudness Preset The Loudness setup parameter allows you to select between a number of standardized or recommended Loudness settings including: R128 BCAP HRTV-23FS ATSC A/85 TV2 DK ARIB LEQM ABC-TV LA AGCOM 219 If you select ‘User’ the loudness setup may be completely customized to exactly your specifications in the Loudness Setup Folder (please see next paragraph). Loudness Setup The Loudness Setup folder allows you to customize the loudness settings of your meter.
The peak level is dependent on the setting of ‘Peak Mode’; True Peak or Digital (Sample Peak). When the signal passes above the peak level, the Peak level readout will turn Red. Gate Level (-a) Range: -8 to -20 dB (1 dB steps). It is often the high level parts of a program which are often of most interest for assessing compliance with broadcast criteria.
Loudness Capture is dependent on the incoming signal being higher than -70dBFS. When starting the Loudness Capture, the button name will switch from ‘Pause’ to ‘Start’ given that the incoming signal is above -70dBFS. In case the signal is not above -70dBFS, this will be indicated by the ‘Start’ button being black. During the Loudness capture, you may now toggle the capture between ‘Start’ and ‘Pause’.
Labels Assign The Labels Assign folder allows you to customize naming and labeling of both sources and channel roles. Please refer to the Meter Setup and Audio Routing section for more information. Audio Global Analogue References The analogue reference sets the sensitivity of the analogue input. In essence the sensitivity decides how many dBU it takes to fully reach maximum input or 0dBFS.
Instruments & Display Tools Portrait Bar-graphs The standard bar-graphs can be used to view numerous different representations of the incoming audio e.g. level according to the selected scale, various loudness parameters, sum/difference and more. The maximum number of channels viewable depends on the specific DK Meter model and software feature package you have. Please refer to the DK Meter family section for further information.
AES Lock Indication The AES enabled DK Meters feature an AES lock indicator, allowing you to instantly confirm that the meter is locked onto the incoming signal. When clocking to an incoming AES signal, AES1 needs to be fed the master clock. Given that a valid clock and lock is achieved, AES1 will light up green. The corresponding AES inputs will be green when valid data is received in sync with the incoming clock on AES1.
The image here shows the StarFish® display with equal audio on all legs. Typical sound fields have energy in a variety of directions and more complex shapes are created which give an indication of the directions having significant amplitudes. Unlike the earlier JellyFish® display which with the same signal would have shown a circle, the StarFish® takes into account the summation occurs when there is coherent (in-phase) content between legs such as left and centre.
Meter Text Read-Outs The four Meter Text read-outs allow for completely customized view of four parameters in addition the regular audio tools. The custom setup of each of the four read-outs may be set in the Quick Setup menu; Window Text Read-out or the Advanced Menu; Meter Setup; Windows Text Reclaim Factor The Reclaim factor indicates how much you can increase your signal while still staying within your loudness target.
The FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer function performs a 1024 band audio spectrum analysis function. The FFT features a x10 Zoom function, allowing a more precise view of the audio spectrum. Furthermore, the FFT allows for pointing to a specific frequency pin for detailed readings, by using the ‘Cursor’ button. Hit the ‘Cursor’ button and use the ‘Move’ buttons to point to the desired frequency pin.
How to….. How to enable FFT spectrum analyzer All DK Meters feature the FFT Spectrum Analyzer. The FFT is reached by simply ‘sliding’ your finger from left to right until you reach meter view 6. How to set Analogue input sensitivity All DK Meters have analogue inputs sensitivity adjustment. To set the sensitivity level of the analogue input, go to Advanced Setup/Audio Global/Analogue References. How to switch to Moving Coil Emulation The Moving Coil Emulation is available for every DK Meter.
Please follow these instructions to software update: - Go to www.DK-Technologies.com - Go to the DK Meter product page - Locate the dkmeteronline.exe tool and download - Connect the DK Meter to your computer - Launch the dkmeteronline application - The dkmeteronline application will automatically check for latest software for your meter specifically. - Follow on-screen instructions to load the latest software.
- Repeat the process for position 6. - Scroll to Preset/Labels assign/Output/Meter - Scroll to position 5, hit ‘Select’ and use ‘Arrow Up’ to find ‘L’ - Repeat process for position 6 to select ‘R’ channel.
Loudness & Terminology About Loudness Loudness measurements differ from conventional signal amplitude measurements in that they are also influenced by the frequency content of the signal and the duration of transient components. The way these various elements are handled to give a value for display has been defined by the International Telecommunications Union in their standard ITU BS1770 which is the only loudness standard to have achieve any degree of international acceptance.
gate. The dynamic gate is, according to ITU-R BS.1770-2, -10 LU below the absolute gated loudness. Dynamic Gated Integrated Loudness (I) The dynamic gated loudness is a long term measurement (an integration over the entire material) based on the momentary loudness. It uses a dynamic gate at -10 LU under (dB relative to) the absolute gated loudness which means that the measurement is on hold if the momentary loudness gets under the dynamic gate.
Other Relevant Info DK Meter Online Application (PC Software) The DK Meter Online Application may be used for updating software, installing software licensing as well as cloning your meter settings to another DK Meter. The DK Meter Online Application can be found on www.dktechnologies.com Connect your DK Meter to your computer (PC). Install DK Meter Online on your computer. You may experience the Windows security warning, in which case you simply hit ‘Run’. Once installed the DK Meter Online app.
Pins 5 and 13 are used for factory diagnostics only and it is essential they are left unwired.
Specifications DK1 DK2 DK5 Meter Connector 15-pole D-Sub 15-pole D-Sub 15-pole D-Sub Analogue input 2 XLR input 2 XLR input 2 XLR input AES input 3 BNC (AES3-4-2009) 3 BNC (AES3-4-2009) 3 BNC (AES3-4-2009) SDI In - - BNC 3G/HD/SD SDI SDI Out - - Bit Resolution 24 bit 24 bit BNC 3G/HD/SD SDI (active loop through) 24 bit Group Delay 1.75msec 1.75msec 1.75msec Nominal input imp. 75 ohm 75 ohm 75 ohm S-rate int. /ext.
