Topic: DIY VU meters for any source ...

[Nick's Picks]

I built mine for the UA-5..not quite finished, but just need to test and calibrate.

www.nickspicks.com, bottom of page under DIY section, you'll see the link

[Chris K]

I'm not sure I did it right. In fact, I know I did some of it wrong as my lights go from red to green and not the other way. Not being able to read schematics, I relied (heavily) on the pictures on their www site. Well, that got my lights backwards some how.

this is pretty funny...i would go nutz if i saw your meters going backwards....who put the mickey in my drink!  

good job though on the meters!

[Ed.]

wait, i'm confused, how exactly did you hook it up to the ua-5?

[Nick's Picks]

RCA outputs on the back of the box, with the monitor volume cranked.

[timP]

hey Nick... all your effort has inspired me, and I'm making a simliar unit up....

I'm using a clear plastic box, mounting the meter in it, with just the RCA and power cables sticking out, and running it to m UA-5 batt pack......
actually, I just ordered all the parts, and my cousin, who rocks at soldering, is doing the assembley....
usinf a clear box to srot of protect the meters...
pix soon to follow....

[Ed.]

awesome, looks like i have a new soldering project to get started on, i wonder what i could use for a box to put it all in...guess i'm gonna have to start looking around.

thanks
ed

[Nick's Picks]

i was drilling out holes for my lights...where did you find a clear box?

[timP]

brainstorming here .....
one is a little box my buddy has for his stuff while boating... he's tracking that down...
my grrl had the idiea of using a nics bar soap holder from bed-bath beyind... they have em in tinted clear with a hinge on the side..
also gonna check Target this afternoon when I drive by for cheap little boxes... they have a huge 'organiztion' section.....
report back later......

[mirth]

The Container Store has a ton of little clear plastic boxes that may work for this.

[Willie T.]

Nick did you ever consider running power from your UA-5 battery?  Like you said the meter won't draw much and it would reduce the size of the case needed to house it, and the need to ever change a battery.

[timP]

I found a few options at Target for the plastic box...
the soap holder could be just right... gonna wait for the board to show up before I buy....
and I'm def gonna run mine from my UA-5 batt... throws 9.6v, should be OK...
never heard of a "Container Store" but they proly have just what we need.....

[mirth]

www.thecontainerstore.com

[mattb]

I think I'm going to try this too.
As far as clear boxes go, don't forget stuff like Tictac boxes (if the electronics are small enough. I think I'll order one, put it together and then see what kind of box I can find.
FYI: I emailled Nick to see if he ever found one that meters an s/pdif signal since I use an ad-20 which has no analog out. He didn't, but had a great suggestion for me: run the meter on the line out of my JB3. It even has two line outs, so I bet I could just dedicate one to the meter and keep one available for patchers. Cool!

[Ed.]

would using the line out on the nomad drain the battery of the nomad faster?

[teamakg]

would using the line out on the nomad drain the battery of the nomad faster?

from what i remember it's always "active" even if you're not using it.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

would using the line out on the nomad drain the battery of the nomad faster?

from what i remember it's always "active" even if you're not using it.

Not sure here, but I think you can turn them off, or turn one or both on...  I remember trying to go line-out inot my stereo and pulling my hair out while not getting signal...  Finally I did some scrolling around and found the line-out on/off...

T

[mattb]

I think that's right. I haven't looked into it much yet. I could sacrafice a little battery time for good meters. I usually still have 3/4 of a charge left after a typical show anyway.

[mattb]

Here's a question: Does anyone know or have a feeling about putting a meter on the INPUT on my AD-20? I could pretty easily tap that and basically make a Y connection so that signal still goes to the AD-20 Pre AND to the little meter. My concern is this could degrade the signal going into the AD-20 and I don't want to do that. But if it wouldn't matter it sure would be a cool AD-20 mod, no?
The inputs in an AD-20 go in via a ribbon cable. I was thinking I'd just make a small ribbon cable piece with a female jack that I could plug the original input cable into and split it without actually modifying the AD-20. I could undo it by unplugging my mod.
What do you guys think?

[mattb]

Wait a sec. I don't want to do that because I want levels AFTER the gain stage, so scrap that idea. I'll just put it on the line out of my jb3...

[mirth]

Hey Nick - I suck at soldering. How much would you charge to build something like these?

[BJ]

yaya...i need one too...how much do to sling your way?  except..I want one with more lights...cuase my skillz sux...I can't keep steady meters until at least the second song..doh!

[caymanreview]

you can buy those meters allready assembled and just plug and play with a 1/8" mini

i had a link and was gonna do this before i sold my ua5 and jb3, but dont have it anymore

[ChrisV]

I've seen a few units but they've costed ~100$.   If anyone finds a relatively cheap one or an easy one to create I'd definately be interested.  I too would like one with a few more lights, something like 10 would be ideal.   I've seen a few possible DIY ones but they are all like 10V+.  If anyone sees a 9V one so you could run off a standard 9V battery that would be awesome.

[caymanreview]

the one i saw was like 40 and was all put together ready to attach a input of your choice (ie miniplug or rca) and ran off 9v. it was 40 bucks or less as i recall... wish i still had the link

[BobW]

Does this thing care about the voltage input ?
Adding a regulation circuit might be needed to keep it accurate.
Test with full charge and again after a few hour's use. Use the same input level and see if meter leds read the same level.

Nick, which way to mount LEDs? Red or Green toward the Cal Pots ?

[BJ]

Ok...here is what i came up with so far....

for the leds...a ten led (2 board) VU meter ..measuring approx 2.7in x 1.5in
it comes assembled for $40..Requires a 10-15vdc power supply at 250mA.
http://www.hobbytron.net/vk4305.html

If i could get 3 others to go in on this($6.5 ea.)  these look to be very sturdy..and exaclty the right size...they are clear plastic.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3184114144&category=36553

so it looks to be about a $50 project...
when they "assemble" to they calibrate for you also?  It's just "ready" to plug in power and inputs(rca or mini)??  cuase this seems very easy....if it is...

thanx.

[BobW]

10 led boards are 12v @ 250 ma, almost as much power as the UA-5 itself.

I think that calibration should be done to the individual unit, as output will vary.  Someone should test this thing will fully charged and near-spent cells.


At the other end of the Outboard monitor spectrum, I guess, would be the Neutrik ML-1.
Meters, spectrum analysis, mini-O-Scope.
Very cool toy.

Anyone playing with one ?

[ChrisV]

Yeah, hobbytron has quite a few listed here:
http://www.hobbytron.net/audiosub.html

Not quite sure which one would work out the best for what I want.   Possibly this one(although it wouldn't be for both channels, but not really that big of a deal for me) which could run off 9V:
http://www.hobbytron.net/CK134.html

But other ones look nicer and have a that black cover, wonder if they are better calibrated too?  Not all the technical of a person myself so I don't know for example what they mean by "INDICATION RANGE: 0dB = 0.775mVrms" and other terms listed there.

Money could be saved on buying the kits and assembling them yourself(not sure how hard they would be).   Looks like on some of them there is a much bigger price difference to do it $23.96 compared to $40.95 assembled whereas the other one is only $15.95 compared to $19.95 assembled.   If I went would that one definately just buy it assembled since it is only 4 bucks more.

[BobW]

Not all the technical of a person myself so I don't know for example what they mean by "INDICATION RANGE: 0dB = 0.775mVrms" and other terms listed there.

My first thought is, "That's just plain wrong."
0.775mVrms is +20DB, isn't it ?

So I checked, and it's correct. 0.775mVrms = 0db

Click Here for Details

Geeky, yes, but it is fact. dbU or decibel units are actually a voltage measurement, just as you might measure 120 Volts at a wall outlet, but much, much lower.  

Deep geek note:
RMS means Root Mean Squared, a math term for the effective potential which an AC signal has.  This is a sort of "average" of the Peaks and Valleys of the Alternating Current waveform that accounts for the sine waveshape.

Take a short course on Decibels from the University of South Wales Here

[mattb]

I bought the CanaKit meter Nick originally posted about. My problem is, the output of the JB3 only barely makes the first light or two light up. I can't redline it with the calibration turned all the way up. So that one is no good for the JB3, but may be fine for something else that can give a little more juice on the output. Anyone want to buy mine to give it a go with another device? LMK. It's just collecting dust now.
If anyone finds a good one that takes the JB3's output range well I'd love to hear about it!

[Nick in Edinboro]

the output of the JB3 only barely makes the first light or two light up.

Which output?  Line level?  Were you testing at your house in front of a stereo or at a show?  Was the UA-5 (if that's what you have for a pre) showing any clip indicator during the test (-3db)?

[mattb]

I tried both line out and headphone out (cranked), just playing a recording I made on the JB3 that touches 0 dB in a spot or two.

No UA-5, I have an AD-20.

[mmmatt]

here is a premade unit w/ 10 lights, internal 9v batery, easy calibration, and under $80  Looks like it might do the trick!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3808814331&category=3319&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Matt

[ChrisV]

Yep, that is the one I have seen on various websites for ~$110 as was hoping to try to mimic.   But it looks like it may be an only option at this point without too much hassle and that is a pretty good deal on them.   If you look at completed items you can probably get away with bidding the minimum price and not get outbid(none have closed for more than $69) assuming we don't get in bidding wars with each other ;p

[mmmatt]

here is another one from the same manufacturer w/ headphone amp.
http://www.oakwoodbroadcast.com/meters/beachtek/svu2.htm
Matt

[ChrisV]

Doh,
I just looked at a closer up picture and one drawback is that it only steps up in steps of 3 db....ideally would want steps of 1 when near 0.   Dang I think I would have ordered one if it was like that.

[mmmatt]

Well... I'm not sure I'm too offended with the 3 db steps, especially if I can get a better headphone amp than the ua-5 out of the deal.  Does anyone know what the wattage is on the ua-5 headphone amp?  This unit svu-2 is 250 mwatt
Matt

[fozzy]

my svu-1 was ~60 on ebay.  Once i got it dialed in after 3-4 hours of messing w/ levels on the ua5 and watching jb3 levels and then to sound forge for "real" levels i trust it more than the jb3 levels.  Only draw back is the LED's should have a capicitor behind them or somethin so they aren't as "blinky".... i want smoother led representation.

[mmmatt]

Once i got it dialed in after 3-4 hours of messing w/ levels on the ua5 and watching jb3 levels and then to sound forge for "real" levels i trust it more than the jb3 levels.  

were you running it off the jb3 or the ua-5?  Headphone, or line out?

Matt

[fozzy]

I run mine rca-out off the UA-5 w/ a Y-splitter one to the svu-1 and the other w/ some female barrel adapters incase of patcher.  I leave all of my cables plugged into the ua-5 except the batteries and xlr's.  I have tested w/ it into the JB3 line out which also works the same but i like having only the right-angle opti cable into it.

[mmmatt]

I have tested w/ it into the JB3 line out which also works the same but i like having only the right-angle opti cable into it.

Is there any reason for this?  Maybe it just works better for your bag?  I will have mine (svu-2)  in a couple more days, and I'll do some testing myself.  Thats a good Idea to go back to the software to 2x check your settings.  Did you just look for peak level under 100 when you were running at your "max"?  Did you use music or pink noise?
Matt

[fozzy]

Yea both of my bags work better w/ only the opti cable in the JB3.  I really just took notes of what i did and had separate tracks after each setting adjustment.  Looked at peaks and did some quick listening.  I have the SVU dialed in so the lower red is the hard limit.  Anytime it lites up red it clips in soundforge.  In my testing i have found that i trust the JB3 vu's less that the svu.  

[kgreener]

Hey Matt, please do let us know how you do on your testing, I'm anxious to hear your results.  I'd love for something like this to work out, it would make setting levels on the UA-5 so much easier.

Keep us posted!

Thanks,
Keith

[mmmatt]

I will for sure.  I'm expecting it before the weekend, and I have the weekend off.  Assuming mic stand girl (the gf) doesn't plan my whole weekend for me, I'll have lots of time to play.
Matt

[Todd R]

Ok, started looking into this for no particular reason.  The kit says it uses a (National Semiconductor) LM3916.  So I looked up that part.  It turns out you can run this to have a bar display or a dot display (dot display being like the Lunatec V3).  The kit says that you can choose between bar and dot.  If you run it as dot (pin 9 on the LM3916 left unconnected), you will not only have a display that mimics the cool V3 display, you will save quite a bit on power.  Each LED will probably be drawing 20-30mA of juice, so limiting to 2 LEDs at a time (dot mode) will give you much better battery life than running it in bar mode (probably talking about about 200ma vs 40mA in dot mode).

The LM3916 spec sheet also discusses how you can limit the current draw of the LEDs, which will make them dimmer, but will also further extend your battery life.  Motivated folks who want to go this route should get the disassembled kit and read through the 3916 spec sheet on this topic.  By substituting a couple resistors in the kit, you'll be able to save a bunch more power.  You could probably also look around for low power LEDs.  The 3916 and other components don't draw much power.  If you change this to dot mode, reduce the current delivered to the LEDs, and/or change out the LEDs for low power versions, you could put together this VU meter so that it draws very little power.

Also, Matt, the kit says it has a low input mode vs. a high input mode.  Difference seems to be a 47k resistor vs. a 470k resistor.  Maybe you can solve your problem with too little LED action by changing from high input mode to low input mode.  Maybe a jumper selection or maybe have to change out a resistor (R7?)

[kev B]

I just looked at a closer up picture and one drawback is that it only steps up in steps of 3 db....ideally would want steps of 1 when near 0.

There was a thread on the oade board a week or two ago about the SVU-1 and SVU-2. Somebody made the recommendation of ignore the numbers printed on the unit. After all, you have to calibrate the SVU-1/SVU-2 to your setup. I am considering the SVU-1 for my own set up. And, I think I would have the the Yellow indicator blinkinh just before the -3db UA-5 lights up.

[ChrisV]

Ahh, I didn't realize you can calibrate it to be whatever you want....but that just means still you will only be looking for one light, right?   Which should be fine.   You can't "calibrize" the integrals I am assuming?

[mmmatt]

There was a thread on the oade board a week or two ago about the SVU-1 and SVU-2. Somebody made the recommendation of ignore the numbers printed on the unit. After all, you have to calibrate the SVU-1/SVU-2 to your setup.

I started that thread on the oade board, and doug said this "...I would calibrate it so +6 dB equals an over, ignore the silkscreened values and just use the color of the lights to know what my levels are..."  
I think that the actual db steps are relative anyway, based on the calibration setting.  I'm not counting on that type of acuracy.  I'm just looking for meters I can read at a glance in a taping environment, and to know how close I am to overdriving the jb3.  I'm usually gun-shy on the heat, and some of my recordings are at only 50%...  Not a huge deal, but I know my recordings will sound better if I run hotter.

Matt

[fozzy]

yea numbers are pointless.  Just make sure you know what our calibration point is.  mine is the bottom red LED.  I tried to use them at first but it was just a head ache.  It is really just a visual aid so in theroy you can calibrate it to any point on the LED's as your "limit"

[kev B]

I agree with the consensus. You have to caibrate for your set up. I would think after a few shows, you would be very comfortable with a unit like those. It took me a few shows to realize the power (or lack of) the peak light  for a UA-5. Now, I just want a little help.

[mmmatt]

I'm getting my svu-2 today, and will surely be playing with it untill all hours of the night.  I will post my impressions tonight.

[mmmatt]

well... my prediction was right!  It is almost 3 am and I have been playing with this meter (beachtec svu-2) for about 4 hours.  Here is the low down:
The case is very nice the knob feels solid. Overall the unit appears to be built like a tank.  The "fit and finish" is good but not great.  The calibration knobs are not quite centered in their openings, but otherwise seems ok for the price.  The meters are very active and even though they bounce quite a bit I think they will be wonderful to read in a dark club or a bright outdoor venue.
     I will run it off the line out from my jb3 vs from the ua-5.  I thought that the knob controlled outputs from the ua-5 left room for error.  The output of the jb3 is a lower level however and with the svu-2 calibrated with the right side maxed, and the left side a tiny bit back (my final setting) produced a -o- db reading with the peak light flickering on the ua-5, and anything over +3 db overdrives the jb3, and clips the ua-5.
     I first started testing with music off my home stereo, then eventually went to a few test tones with ballance to one speaker and the mics symetricaly placed directly in front of the active speaker.  The final test tones I recorded (wht noise and 440 hz tone) were within 2% between left and right chanels.  I think I got it where I want it.  Hopefully is Karl Denson doesn't decide that the almighty dollar is better than the taper fans that got him where he is next tuesday, I will be able to administer the final test.
     As for the headphone amp.  It is loud... far louder than the edirol amp.  Much cleaner as well.  This should be a benefit in the field as well.  The thing I didn't like was that the calibration controll adjusted the headphone amp as well as the vu's.  Overall I think the unit was a good investment for me.
     The unit is powered by a typical 9v internal battery.  It doesn't have the typical connection, but instead has a little spring loaded tray that the battery slides in with the contacts exposed, then when you push the tray in, the contacts on the battery touch flat contacts inside the unit.  I made a little adaptor to conect to my ua-5 batterys, and that was fairly easy to do.

Thats it, any questions... let me know!

Matt

[kgreener]

Hey Matt, thanks for the rundown, this sounds very promising.  Question: is calibration difficult to achieve, or would it be easy for a non-techie like myself?  Also, what do you use to connect the SVU-2 to your JB3?  Dual RCA to mini-plug is my guess.  I'm thinking about the SVU-1 since I don't use headphones much for monitoring at a loud show, yet I can be persuaded.  You think the headphone amp will be strong enough to hear now?  What phones do you use?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but as you can see I'm as excited about this prospect as you are  

thanks,
Keith

[mmmatt]

calibration was a pain in the ass, but I could help you make it easier.  I am no techie... but I know what I like to hear.  I think using test tones, one side of my stereo system, and the software made it much easier... I'd say I did all the valuble work in the last hour ( I spent a good 3 or 4).  The hardest part was realizing that the  meters on my jb3 were drastically inacurate.  
m    I connect with mini  to rca as suspected.  I like to use headphones.  (Senheiser hd 280s) I think guys who have a hundred shows under their belt can look at their mics and know they got it set right, but  I only trust my ears.  Even my ears, i don't always trust, so having the meters and audible headphones is a big plus for me.  I'm doing a ktdu show in chicago on the 20th at the house of blues, so I'll let you know if all works as planed.  I think for someone who is  a very particular listener, yet not an overly experienced taper, like myself, the ability to give yourself a few more ways of monitoring your recording is only going to cut down on the trial and error that all tapers go through.  
      Ask away if you have any more questions.

Matt

[1st set only]

post some pics please! and where did you buy this?

[mirth]

This is the SVU-1, which is the same model minus the headphone jack. There's one currently on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3319&item=3810180175&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[mmmatt]

post some pics please! and where did you buy this?

Here is a link to the manuacture:
http://beachtek.com/svu2.html

 It sells for $125 here
http://www.guygraphics.com/ .  Guy graphics is the same retailer that sells the svu-1 on ebay.  They were good to work with and sent it right away.  At the time I bought mine the website said that they were out of stock, but I emailed and they had them but hadn't updated there site yet.
any more questions just ask
Matt

[mattb]

Cool. That looks like a good option. Too bad I couldn't get enough signal from my JB3 to drive my $20 meter!
Have you tried the headphone jack on the JB3? Is the one on the meter significantly different?

[1st set only]

I was refering to you posting a pic. I think that the pics that we tak of our gear are much more useful to us than corporate product pics.

I would like to see this in relation to the JB3 and the addaptor that you made for the batterys

[mmmatt]

Have you tried the headphone jack on the JB3? Is the one on the meter significantly different?

Yes, the jb3 was the least powerful, the edirol next, and the svu-2 was about the same as the output from my little berhinger mixer.  Substantialy better that either the ua-5 or the jb3.  I've used my mixer in the fiels and it is plenty audible, so I assume that the svu-2 will be as well... they have the same specs and sound the same to me.
   As for pics, I'm doing the final tweaks on my new bag and I'll post a bunch of pics within a few days.  I'll try to get it wrapped before the end of the weekend.
Matt

[mmmatt]

svu-2 pics, in and out of my bag are posted here http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=20;action=display;threadid=17352;start=0#lastPost

Matt

[mmmatt]

KDTU went very well last night, the svu-2 worked wonderfully.  I feel my ballance and soundstage were better than I have ever done due to this unit.  I highly recomend it!

Matt

[kev B]

mmmmatt, thanks for all you research and tips. I think I am going to go the same route. I wish the SVU-1 didn't have that camera foot because I am not a headphone guy. Any rate, the SVU-2 is a more universal unit. To bad GuysGraphics won't put it on ebay for less than $100    +T for tips and new toys

[ChrisV]

Being the cheapskate I am I went ahead and just ordered 2 different VU Meter kits from Hobbytron.  Both of them are the 10 led ones.  They are the single column ones, not really worried with having both left and right levels...just want something to beat the single crappy light on the UA-5 ;p

Gonna see what I can put together and which of the 2 is better.

[fozzy]

mmmmatt, thanks for all you research and tips. I think I am going to go the same route. I wish the SVU-1 didn't have that camera foot because I am not a headphone guy. Any rate, the SVU-2 is a more universal unit. To bad GuysGraphics won't put it on ebay for less than $100    +T for tips and new toys

2 screws to get rid of the foot mount.  i took mine off before i even used it the first time.  I too am not a headphone person

[kgreener]

Any problems for y'all running the SVU-1 vertically vs. the SVU-2 horizontally?  (i.e. the LED's run either up/down or left-to-right, respectively)  I'm not a headphone guy either, but noticed the difference between the two and went horizontal as I felt it will fit better in my Rakgear on one of the shelves.

Placed an order with Guy Graphics yesterday...now that I'll have the headphone option I just might use it after all.  Thanks for the legwork Matt, I'd +T ya if I could!

peace,
Keith

[mirth]

Any problems for y'all running the SVU-1 vertically vs. the SVU-2 horizontally?  (i.e. the LED's run either up/down or left-to-right, respectively)  I'm not a headphone guy either, but noticed the difference between the two and went horizontal as I felt it will fit better in my Rakgear on one of the shelves.

Why not just run the SVU-1 on its side? Its what I plan on doing.

[kgreener]

Good point Mirth, but my plan was to use the existing mount on the SVU-2 to fasten it to the shelf in my Rakgear.  I was looking at it in terms of the mount that came with the unit, that's all.

peace

[Sterling]

Hey ChrisV, what ones did you get? Did you get tehm assembled or not? Got any pics? Thanks, I'm tinkng of going that route too, I like a challenge and I love lights  .
SS

[mmmatt]

To bad GuysGraphics won't put it on ebay for less than $100    

When I originally contacted guy graphics I told them that if this unit worked out well, he would be selling more, and he should give me a deal since I was the official guinee pig.  He said at $125 he was only making $10, so If I do see this on e-bay for $100... I'm gonna be bent!
     Glad to see my info helped!  As for the headphone thing, I mess with my mics during the opening band or house pa music to tweak the placement by ear.  I actually raise and lower my stand, turn left and right, and even sometimes even move my stand forward or back looking for that often elusive "sweet spot".  If you guys have another way to do that I would love to know.  I don't know that I would ever feel comfortable without using my ears.  +T's to all you guys as well!!!

Matt

[fozzy]

I run mine on it's side from a 2 foot rca.  Once i set my levels i zip up the bag and the svu-1 is the only thing outside of the bag

[mirth]

Hey Matt, since we live so close to each other would it be possible to borrow sometime so I can give it a test? I don't have anything coming that I know of in the near future, but of course thats subject to change....

LMK, I'm a kenoshan in exile.

[ChrisV]

Hey ChrisV, what ones did you get? Did you get tehm assembled or not? Got any pics? Thanks, I'm tinkng of going that route too, I like a challenge and I love lights  .
SS

Well one of them had the option for fully assembled for only 5 bucks more($20 compared to $15) so I grabbed that one.   The other one didn't have the option to buy fully assembled(I emailed them asking if at all possible I could get a fully assembled one but haven't heard back).   Hopefully they will sell me one but if not I get to take a crack at assembling the kit ;p

Just placed the order yesterday so I'll let you know when I receive 'em and try some things out.  My goal is to get them to run off of 9V batteries(rechargeables) and hopefully they'll have a low enough consumption in dot mode those will last long enough.

Here are the links to the 2 I ordered:
http://www.hobbytron.net/vk4304.html
http://www.hobbytron.net/CK134.html

[mmmatt]

Hey Matt, since we live so close to each other would it be possible to borrow sometime so I can give it a test? I don't have anything coming that I know of in the near future, but of course thats subject to change....

LMK, I'm a kenoshan in exile.

No question Mirth... just let me know when.

Matt

[Kindguy]

To bad GuysGraphics won't put it on ebay for less than $100    

When I originally contacted guy graphics I told them that if this unit worked out well, he would be selling more, and he should give me a deal since I was the official guinee pig.  He said at $125 he was only making $10, so If I do see this on e-bay for $100... I'm gonna be bent!

He has them on ebay buy it now 79 bucks. Starting bid 69

[kgreener]

That's 69/79 for the SVU-1, no?    

I believe Matt's referring to the SVU-2...

[mmmatt]

To bad GuysGraphics won't put it on ebay for less than $100    

When I originally contacted guy graphics I told them that if this unit worked out well, he would be selling more, and he should give me a deal since I was the official guinee pig.  He said at $125 he was only making $10, so If I do see this on e-bay for $100... I'm gonna be bent!

He has them on ebay buy it now 79 bucks. Starting bid 69

That is the svu-1... I have the svu-2

[mmmatt]

That's 69/79 for the SVU-1, no?    

I believe Matt's referring to the SVU-2...

you beat me by 41 seconds!

[Kindguy]

Gotcha

[fozzy]

SVU-1 worked flawlessly again for hot butered rum string band and new monsoon last night.  just got done tracking hbrsb and levels were good.

[mmmatt]

cool... I LOVE hbrsb!!! I can hardly wait to catch them at the wu reunion.  I haven't seen them yet... just heard a few ARCHIVAL RECORDINGS.  They get a mean groove going IMO! (Please note concious attempt to not say the "B" word!)

Matt

[kev B]

Well, if the mounting foot will remove easily, I am going to order the SVU-1. Then, I think I am going to re-label the front so that I can use it horizontally. I can also re-label the Left & Right channels and just swap the cables in back.

To use this set up for a JB3, do I need a 1/8" to RCA cable? It seems to be that the JB3 should be used to monitor the levels. Nice, this looks like a viable solution. The last few shows have been difficult to monitor with just the UA5 LED. Last night, I had a CDR-burner patched from the UA5 and it was SOOOOO much easier adjusting and keeping an eye on the levels using the VU on the burner.

Added: I think I am going to order direct from www.guysgraphics.com. It is only $6 more than the ebay bidding price of $69. That is like a little insurance... I can return it if I don't like it.

[fozzy]

dont bother w/ the face, you cannot see the numbers in the dark anyway.  Just know which is your left and which is your right.  

[kev B]

Hmmmm... you may be onto something.  

[mmmatt]

hes right... the leds are all you see.  Look for the color to change to know where you are.  Yess it is mini jack from the jb3 aux, to the svu-2.  That's how I run it anyway!

Matt

[kev B]

Sweet, just ordered a SVU-1. Should be here in PA on Thirsday in time for a big (for a local show) on  Saturday. Nice  

Oh yeah... a USB 2.0 card too. No more sloooowwww transfers.

[Cooker]

you guys run it from the JB3, not the UA-5's line out?

[fozzy]

i run mine from the ua5 line out.  one less wire into the jb3.

[mattb]

Sweet, just ordered a SVU-1. Should be here in PA on Thirsday in time for a big (for a local show) on  Saturday. Nice  

Oh yeah... a USB 2.0 card too. No more sloooowwww transfers.

JB3 is USB 1.1, so your transfers will be the same speed as before. If you want to speed them up get a ieee 1394 (firewire) card.

[kev B]

JB3 is USB 1.1, so your transfers will be the same speed as before. If you want to speed them up get a ieee 1394 (firewire) card.

 : Damn! Now I need to order another card.   I always learn the hard way. Oh well. The SVU-1 we hold me over in the new toy dep't.

[ChrisV]

Got my 2 vu meter kits today from UPS...the fully assembled one was *supposed* to be 9-15 V...actually I've read up to a 6-18 range on other websites.   But the piece of paper that came with it says 12-16V.  Screw that I am just gonna try to work it out with my 9V battery anyways and see what happens.    

The one that is not assembled looks like there are a crapload of parts I am gonna have to solder....could be time consuming but doesn't look overly hard.   But I am thinking I am going to like this one better so I am going to get on it soon.   Rated at 10-16V also gonna try to see if I can get it to run off a 9V or at last resort my RC battery packs I use for the UA-5.

Will post some pics once I get something or anything put together.

[Diggin]

all the fluffing of the svu-1 and 2, I just had to buy the svu-1.  Can't wait to get it, may need some help configuring it when the time comes but who knows, I might figure it out reading all the posts

[kev B]

all the fluffing of the svu-1 and 2, I just had to buy the svu-1.

*in my best possible C. Montgomery Burns voice*

I sense Team SV is taking shape. Excellent.  

[mmmatt]

cool... I'm suffering from a severe case of team envy!

Matt

[Diggin]

you will get on a team soon Matt, just be patient

[mmmatt]

thanks man... It's just so hard... (snif snif)
ha ha ha

[kgreener]

Hey mmmmatt and other SVU owners, I have a question for you.  Just got mine today and was fooling around with it, doing some testing (in my car, of all places.  Hey, I've got two small kids sleeping, what can I say).  Your advance work was very helpful, btw, I was able to get this thing calibrated right quick, so thanks.  However, I'm a bit concerned about something.  

It seems every time there was a drop in the volume of music played, such as when I switched from track to track on my cd player, the left channel LED's dropped out, and when the music restarted, only the right channel LED's came back blinking.  This happened a number of times and the only way I could get them back was to jiggle the left channel cal pot, and the LED's would reappear.  Did this happen for you too, or do you think I have a defective unit?  I'm thinking the cal pot is loose or something.  I'm going line out from the JB3, and I tried more than one RCA/mini cable as well...

I'm gonna do more testing tomorrow to make sure this isn't just a fluke, but did want to run it by y'all just in case you too experienced something like this...thanks.

[blu666z]

Definately sounds like you should get a different unit.

-Kevin

[mmmatt]

Definately sounds like you should get a different unit.

-Kevin

yup... Mine never did that

[kev B]

I have to go with those guys. I've had my SVU-1 for a day and have toyed a little bit, but it doesn't do what yours does. Sounds like you have a defective one. Maybe they can send you one while yousrs is in transit back to the retailer? Good luck.

[kgreener]

Yeah man, I called Beachtek earlier and a guy named Harry walked me thru a few things and determined it was in fact defective.  I just got off the phone with Guy Graphics, I'm sending this one back and the replacement is already in the mail on it's way to me.  Bummer!  I was hoping to play with this thing over the weekend, but alas good things come to those who wait I guess...

Great customer service, btw, from both Beachtek and Guy Graphics, cool people to deal with.

peace

[ChrisV]

Just an update on the 2 kits I bought....the one that needed to be assembled I gave it a try.    After I did I plugged it in and all the lights came on with no audio source so something went wrong.   I thought I did all the solder points correct but out of the 90+ I guess at least one went wrong.   Grr, wish they just had the assembled one available damnit.   Not sure if I'll be able to fix it.  That was 2 hours of my life I probably just wasted.

Anyways, so I decided to just use the already assembled one even though it isn't as nice as the other one.   Had to set it at the most sensitive setting to get most of the lights to light up...it is pretty bouncy since it appears each light is an interval of about 1 db but that is sorta what I wanted though.   I put it all into a plastic project box(5 bucks from Frys) which also has a nice 9V battery easy access slot too.   Put a couple switches on it(On/Off switch) and also a Left/Right switch.  And also a stereo(1/8 inch) plug too for the audio input.   Drilled holes for the lights.  

I am pretty satified with it and it is a major improvement over the UA-5 single red flickering light.   But in conclusion I wouldn't recommend doing this to people since it too way to much time and effort and probably worth it to throw down more cash to get the SVU-1 or 2 meters.

I'll post a few pictures tonight of my contraption just for the heck of it though ;p

[blu666z]

Guess I should post my review now.  Ran these on Saturday night for a short opener.  HUGE improvement over the UA-5 light.  Although, I'm not real happy with the tape itself, levels seem to be very even.  Calibration took me about an hourish.  Created a cd with 10 minutes of a middle C tone.  Placed both mics infront of the same speaker.  Turned the gain all the way down on one channel and raised the level on the opposite channel until the peak light was very very weakly visible.  Calibrated the meters to lighting the last red light.  Repeated the process for the other channel.  The calibration is nice because you can set the SVU-1 to peak at any point.  I started having the yellow light match the UA-5 peak light but then the last red light was never used.  After I was satisfied visually, I recorded the same tone adjustly my level solely using the SVU-1.    Then took that sample and analyzed it on SoundForge and both channels were dead on.  I would definately recommend this to ANYONE with a UA-5.

-Kevin

[ChrisV]

Kevin, your tape didn't turn out good either for Marcus?    Mine had a shitload more crowd noise than I thought it would....during the concert it didn't seem to bad at all but my mics picked up much more than my ears did I guess.

Damnit, I didn't upgrade mics to pick up peoples conversations better ;p

[mmmatt]

 I would definately recommend this to ANYONE with a UA-5.

-Kevin

I think that is the concensus so far... Well worth the dough as far as I'm concerned.

Matt

[blu666z]

Kevin, your tape didn't turn out good either for Marcus?    Mine had a shitload more crowd noise than I thought it would....during the concert it didn't seem to bad at all but my mics picked up much more than my ears did I guess.

Damnit, I didn't upgrade mics to pick up peoples conversations better ;p

Not one of my best tapes no.  Mel and I were clamped on a rack in the SBD.  Room was hard to get a feel for the sweet spot before the show.  After walking around during the show, we(Mel and I & you) were in the deadest point in the room.  Move over 10 feet in either direction and the highs really showed up and made the sound real crisp.  DFC seemed a bit flat and muddy.  Live and learn.  On top of that, I ran w/o my windscreens and Glen must have turned on an oscilating fan...nice breeze every 20 secs.  Haven't heard Mel's tape yet.  I'll talk to him tomorrow at PMB.  Peace!

-Kevin

Edit to keep on topic: Levels are GREAT though!

[ChrisV]

Well hopefully his turned out a little better...

Oh right, back on topic

Doing some more testing for calibration I noticed some very interesting key things....there are 3 entirely different levels for line outs I am getting.  One with the UA-5 RCA's out with the Monitor SW on....one with the UA-5 RCA's out with Monitor SW off and one out of the JB3 line out.    There is an about 5 db difference between the UA-5 RCA outs when the Monitor SW light is on and off.    This is when the UA-5 has the output knob maxed out...if it isn't maxed out the output levels go down as you turn it down.
The line out of JB3 is significally lower than both of those(also the headphone jack on the UA-5 when turned to max is pretty close to the line out...maybe only 1 db more).    Gonna do some exact tone tests with exact levels recorded to the JB3 and will come back with exact numbers on the differences between the line outs.   But for now just make sure whichever method of line out you choose you keep it constant and don't assume they are all the same.

The other test I did was regarding battery life and if that effects the lights at all as it drains.  Initial tests say no it does not which is a very good thing of course.  Although when the battery was getting really low, close to dead it was doing funky things to the lights(like 2 or 3 of the reds at the top going on at same time).

Oh yeah, pics soon!

[ChrisV]

Unit on with a contant test tone....hard to tell from the photo but the top yellow light is on(third from the top).

[ChrisV]

Battery compartment open

[ChrisV]

Size comparison.   It is a touch shorter lengthwise from top to bottom and also a little bit slimmer than the JB3.   Exact dimensions in inches are: 2.75 X 4.60 X 1.00H

[ChrisV]

And finally the inner "guts" of the unit.  Pre-assembled Canakit 10 leds...Mounted on the bottom(top of photo since upside down) is the stereo 1/8 inch jack and the on/off switch(useful because it *does* draw from battery even when no audio source is plugged in).   Mounted on lid is the left/right switch and drilled holes for lights.   There is a divider/seperator for the battery's area that sticks straight up at the end of the drilled holes which is very hard to see in the photo.

[mmmatt]

Looks Great Chris!  BIG +T for having the skills, and patience.  Very good job.  (Your momma would be proud)

Matt

[blu666z]

The monitor switch SHOULD only control the headphone output.

-Kevin

[CaptMax]

can you run the SVU-1/2 right out the JB3 ?

[mmmatt]

well... my prediction was right!  It is almost 3 am and I have been playing with this meter (beachtec svu-2) for about 4 hours.  Here is the low down:
The case is very nice the knob feels solid. Overall the unit appears to be built like a tank.  The "fit and finish" is good but not great.  The calibration knobs are not quite centered in their openings, but otherwise seems ok for the price.  The meters are very active and even though they bounce quite a bit I think they will be wonderful to read in a dark club or a bright outdoor venue.
     I will run it off the line out from my jb3 vs from the ua-5.  I thought that the knob controlled outputs from the ua-5 left room for error.  The output of the jb3 is a lower level however and with the svu-2 calibrated with the right side maxed, and the left side a tiny bit back (my final setting) produced a -o- db reading with the peak light flickering on the ua-5, and anything over +3 db overdrives the jb3, and clips the ua-5.
     I first started testing with music off my home stereo, then eventually went to a few test tones with ballance to one speaker and the mics symetricaly placed directly in front of the active speaker.  The final test tones I recorded (wht noise and 440 hz tone) were within 2% between left and right chanels.  I think I got it where I want it.  Hopefully is Karl Denson doesn't decide that the almighty dollar is better than the taper fans that got him where he is next tuesday, I will be able to administer the final test.
     As for the headphone amp.  It is loud... far louder than the edirol amp.  Much cleaner as well.  This should be a benefit in the field as well.  The thing I didn't like was that the calibration controll adjusted the headphone amp as well as the vu's.  Overall I think the unit was a good investment for me.
     The unit is powered by a typical 9v internal battery.  It doesn't have the typical connection, but instead has a little spring loaded tray that the battery slides in with the contacts exposed, then when you push the tray in, the contacts on the battery touch flat contacts inside the unit.  I made a little adaptor to conect to my ua-5 batterys, and that was fairly easy to do.

Thats it, any questions... let me know!

Matt

Yes... I use the line out on the jb3

[mirth]

Just got off the phone with Guy Graphics... +Ts all around to Team SVU-x, from your most recent member!

[mmmatt]

Back atch brother... I knew you'd give in!  did you get the svu-1 or the much better, far superior, gauranteed to make the hotties die at your feet svu-2?

[blu666z]

gauranteed to make the hotties die at your feet svu-2?

Damn....I knew I should have gotten that one.

-Kevin

[Diggin]

glad I got the SVU-1, don't want those hotties dying at my feet, rather have them dancing with me
testing for me starts tonight

[mmmatt]

+T's to all!  is a +T the online equivelent of buying a round of shots?

[Diggin]

well this sucks.  I went to adjust my right side and the screw popped out.  now it doesn't adjust at all

[kgreener]

I feel your pain man.  Call up Guy Graphics and let 'em know another one's coming back.  I just got my replacement today, hopefully this one will be stable.

[Diggin]

I will first thing tomorrow
good luck with your new one

[mirth]

Matt - I think so.

(and I got the 1, don't need no stinking headphones!)

[kgreener]

new SVU-2's lookin' REAL good y'all!  Ran it through it's paces this morning and I think I'm really gonna like this thing, it's sooo nice to have visual levels now.  mmmmatt and others, thanks again for the calibration hints, you saved my ass a lot of time.

Diggin, hang in there, it'll be worth the wait for your new SVU...

peace

[kev B]

... all around to Team SVU-x, from your most recent member!

Team SVU-X. hahaha. I used mine real briefly over the weekend after doing a half-ass calibration and I am still SOOOO much happier now. So, now I need to buckle down with calibration techniques now. Any recommendations for free-ware programs? I use CDWav to split the tracks from my JB3. But, I would like to record some test tracks and see the dB's.

Tam SVU-X rocks!  

[mirth]

Why not use CDWave to record? Thats what I plan on doing now that I won't have to rely on Wavelab for metering... I bet it'll have a lighter footprint on system resources, too.

[mmmatt]

... all around to Team SVU-x, from your most recent member!

Team SVU-X. hahaha. I used mine real briefly over the weekend after doing a half-ass calibration and I am still SOOOO much happier now. So, now I need to buckle down with calibration techniques now. Any recommendations for free-ware programs? I use CDWav to split the tracks from my JB3. But, I would like to record some test tracks and see the dB's.

Tam SVU-X rocks!  

You can generate test tones in audacity, save as a wave, and then burn to cd.  You can check levels in percent by using exact audio copy (eac).  With eac you have to delete one chanel then run a "show peak level" command.  Then undo the delete, and reverse the process to check the other chanel.  EAC and Audacity are both shareware and can be found by searching the names in google.

Matt

[Sterling]

Got teh DIY level meter done. Pics areup in the pic section. O ya...no more SVU fluffing! I prefer the plain old law and Order...

[mirth]

Almost a month after getting my SVU-1 I took it out for its maiden voyage last night.

I gotta say, this little piece of equipment is well worth every penny spent! Within a minute of the opening act starting I had my levels set just right, and the rest of the night was a piece of cake.

+T to the Wise Fools Pub's sound guy for being super cool in letting me plug into power by him. I could have easily run on batteries all night, but this let me forget about the laptop for a while instead and catch up with some old friends. Good stuff!

if anybody's interested in hearing either band, once the tracking & whatnot is done look for it in the kickdowns early next week.

pix will be in the rig pics board once I get the film developed...

[mmmatt]

Almost a month after getting my SVU-1 I took it out for its maiden voyage last night.

I gotta say, this little piece of equipment is well worth every penny spent! Within a minute of the opening act starting I had my levels set just right, and the rest of the night was a piece of cake.

+T to the Wise Fools Pub's sound guy for being super cool in letting me plug into power by him. I could have easily run on batteries all night, but this let me forget about the laptop for a while instead and catch up with some old friends. Good stuff!

if anybody's interested in hearing either band, once the tracking & whatnot is done look for it in the kickdowns early next week.

pix will be in the rig pics board once I get the film developed...

Wow Mirth... I was begining to think you were retiring!!!  Meters are the shit, huh?  Glad it's working out for you!  Now lets make sure we get to some Summerfest action, and keep the dust off thoes AKGs!

Matt

[mirth]

Heh. I don't get out too often, the wife & kid try to keep me around the house as much as possible...

Some summerfest action sounds good, although with Phish the last weekend before July and my son's bday party on the 4th my weekends are looking pretty booked.

My brother's band has another gig in Oak Park on Sunday, afternoon outdoor thing @ a community festival. Their set will be ~45min, anybody's welcome to attend & roll tape.


I got an offer last night from the opening band for payment of my services for a copy. What to do, what to do?

[kgreener]

I agree with y'all, the SVU meters are the shizzle.  I taped a jam session a couple of weeks ago, and then a backyard gig last weekend and it was sooo easy to just glance over at my bag while I was playing and know that my levels were just right.  +T to mmmatt and everyone else for all the research.  I really feel fully satisfied about my UA-5 now that I have meters.

peace

[mmmatt]

Heh. I don't get out too often, the wife & kid try to keep me around the house as much as possible...

Some summerfest action sounds good, although with Phish the last weekend before July and my son's bday party on the 4th my weekends are looking pretty booked.

My brother's band has another gig in Oak Park on Sunday, afternoon outdoor thing @ a community festival. Their set will be ~45min, anybody's welcome to attend & roll tape.


I got an offer last night from the opening band for payment of my services for a copy. What to do, what to do?

Well sunday morning I have my daughter, and sunday afternoon I work, so that one is out for me.  You know I'll keep bugging your Mirth!  We'll hook up for a show one of these days!!!  
     As for the payment, I recomend that you tell them that they can have it for free if they distribute it freely.  If they are going to use it for sale, you should be compensated IMHO.  Set something up with them for another event and charge them for that one.  If you want to play with some cards, or run a double (4chan) ua5 rig let me know.  I'll hook ya up!

Matt

[mirth]

Well hey, got anything going on in the next week or so? I'm gonna be in k-town tomorrow & if I had the opportunity to do a cap swap I'd take you up on it. Natch I'd leave my 93s with you so ya wouldn't be left w/o functional AKG's...

The lead singer did offer a case of beer as payment, so maybe I'd take him up on that. I still have to xfer their set though.

[mmmatt]

Sure Mirth,
I'll have my daughter in tow, but I can hook up with ya somewhere.  I usually pick her up around 5 pm, and I work till about then.  So any time after 5 is cool.  I don't think I need my mics at all until summerfest, but then again, sometimes I just get in the car and go to a show.  If you want both caps to do a comparison you can just have them for a couple weeks.  I'm on a rafting/camping trip next weekend, so I'm not planning on using them for sure untill after then.  Maybe I can play with the hypers some at summerfest?
     As for the case of beer, that is just a couple of steps over buying a guy a drink at the bar.  More of a thank you gesture.  I would take him up on it for sure.

Matt

[kgreener]

that's it, this thread has been officially hijacked!  

[mmmatt]

my bad... I've got to quit that.  I hijacked it in the first place with the whole svu thing... this was a diy thread!  
BAD Matt, BAD matt!


Matt

[kgreener]

no problem brother, just messin' with ya!

have a good one...

[mirth]

All your threads are belong to Team SVU-x!  

Matt - I'll PM you my cell #. Wanna send me your contact info so we can meet up?