Talk:Nominal level

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Power supply relation to audio levels[edit]

The article states "...consumer levels can be generated by battery-powered gear, but pro levels require power supplies that plug into the mains.". While the power requirements for producing +4 dBu line level are greater, it isn't impossible for a DC powered device to output +4 dBu line level. Many professional audio devices do this (Professional-grade portable audio recorders and mixers used for film and TV production for example). Am I missing something or am I correct in thinking this line should be removed or changed? (AnalogWeapon (talk) 16:59, 24 August 2010 (UTC))[reply]

You were correct. Statement removed. IamNotU (talk) 21:46, 8 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

0 VU = −10 dBV[edit]

This sentence is not true and confusing:
...In consumer level equipment, the nominal level varies, but some standardize to 0 VU = −10 dBV. ...

Since 0VU is defined as having value of 1.228V and -10dBV is actual value of 0.316V then the statement that 1.228 = 0.316 is not true.

The line should read:
...In consumer level equipment, the nominal level varies, but some standardize to −10 dBV, sometimes incorrectly calling it 0VU. ...

It depends. On some analog gear that's the case. On digital gear 0dBVu usually corresponds to -18dBFS. Also, the prior comment about nominal not signifying average over time is incorrect. That's exactly what it means. Sounded like some garbage where someone wants all peaks to be the same level in a processing system. Any circuit has a harder time when it's having to reproduce more complex signals... more heat... more distortion, etc, not to mention in the case of audio that loudness is a function of averages. -Reticuli 2605:A000:1301:906F:E09D:E437:62D4:B053 (talk) 18:29, 28 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I think someone was a little confused in thinking that because a manufacturer/designer has some control over reference level, they could also choose what 0VU is equal to, which, of course, is not the case. Although, I wouldn't be too surprised to see such labeling from a manufacturer that is happy to ignore ANSI, BS, and IEC. Also, I agree with PetesGuide that signal content is not limited to music. I think this fixes the paragraph. The rest of this section could use some work, if anyone's feeling up to it. Quickfix333 (talk) 10:03, 14 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Definition[edit]

The definition in the article, which is 'Nominal level is the operating level at which an electronic signal processing device is designed to operate' is quite vague, and nobody will be able to understand what that actually means. As usual, it is absolutely necessary to provide examples, or elaborate on the description. It is known that a signal processing device is generally designed to handle input signals over a range of levels. KorgBoy (talk) 07:23, 9 August 2022 (UTC)[reply]