measuring maximum VU and maximum dbfd

In Vegas (and CD Architect) you can right click on an audio file in the timeline, select 'properties', and check 'Normalize'. The properties window will tell you how many decibiles of gain were added (or removed) to the file so that the peak is at zero. When you uncheck 'normalize' it will remove the gain. If it added gain, subtract what was added from zero.

If you are in Sound Forge (Studio 10) under 'Tools' and 'Statistics' you will find a report that tells you 'Maximum sample value (dB)', and where that is 'Maximum sample value (time)'.

I hope this is what you are looking for.

I forgot to mention that 'Statistics' also reports 'Average Value' in dB.

As I was thinking about VU I did a quick search and read wikipedia. I think VU meters report dB but the mechanics of the device cause it to be inaccurate in a helpful way, which may be what the TV folks are after.

Some of my preamps (Focusrite ISA428)have vu meters but they are way to slow to be of much help to me, but I enjoy watching them.

Here is a link that I found that is a free VU meter application. http://www.vuplayer.com/other.php I didn't notice if they have an Apple version.

Sweet Owen Sound Recording Studio
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