Walt,
VU meters (analog needles) are average readings, but LED's on digital
equipment are always peak readings (unless specifically stated
otherwise on the meter or in the manual).
The problem with digital meters is they read AFTER the preamp and
AFTER the ADC.
So if the signal is already too hot for the mic (high SPL) or too hot
for the preamp, it is already distorted BEFORE the AD converting, so
any digital level indication does not mean the signal is undistorted.
It just means the energy of the signal is at a certain level. It
tells nothing about the possible clipping of a signal.
You have to monitor / listen to the signal with good headphones to
judge wether a recording has clipping or not.
Most of the times it is analog clipping in or before the preamp
section I am afraid.
Regards, Evert
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