3.4 Audio Meter
3.4.1 Creation:
Use the Monitor Browser to add a Monitor containing one or more Audio Meters to the current Layout.
- Open the Monitor Browser in KEdit in one of three ways:
- Select the Monitor Browser item in the View menu
- Push F6 on the keyboard
- Select an appropriate Monitor from the pull down list, using the Preview to see its appearance.
- Click on the preview, and drag a copy of the Monitor onto the Layout.
- Or add an Audio Meter to an existing Monitor in the Layout:
- Unlock the Monitor in which the Audio Meter is located, by right-clicking and selecting Unlock Monitor from the contextual menu. The Monitor's border will turn yellow, indicating it may be edited. You may also ALT-click anywhere in the Monitor, which will unlock the Monitor and select the item you clicked.
- Select the Audio Meter tool in the KEdit toolbar. Use the pull down arrow to change the current default meter selection if necessary.
- Click inside the Monitor, and drag to place an Audio Meter of the desired size.
- Note that if the new Audio Meter extends beyond the Monitor boundary, then it will not be part of the Monitor.
Or add an Audio Meter that is not part of a Monitor to the Layout:
- Select the Audio Meter tool in the KEdit toolbar. Use the pull down arrow to change the current default meter selection if necessary.
- Click at the appropriate place in the Layout, and drag to place an Audio Meter of the desired size
- Or copy an existing Audio Meter, inside or outside a Monitor:
- Select the Audio Meter to be copied.
- Use the Copy (CTRL+C) and Paste (CTRL+V) commands to create a new meter.
- OR -
- While holding CTRL, click on the Audio Meter to be copied, and drag to a new location. The original Audio Meter will remain, and a copy will appear at the new location.
Note that if the new Audio Meter extends beyond the Monitor boundary, then it will not be part of the Monitor.
3.4.2 Configuration:
The attributes of an Audio Meter are adjustable using its Configuration Panel in KEdit. To access the panel for an Audio Meter within a Monitor:
- Select the Audio Meter using one of these methods:
- Unlock the Monitor in which the Audio Meter is located, by right-clicking and selecting Unlock Monitor from the contextual menu (an UNLOCKED Monitor is identified by a YELLOW BORDER and YELLOW RESIZING HANDLES in its corners), and then click on the Audio Meter to select it
- ALT-click on the Audio Meter. The monitor will unlock, and the Meter will be selected.
NOTE: at this point the Audio Meter may be positioned (click on the Audio Meter and drag) and scaled (click and drag a control point) within the Monitor. It cannot be moved outside the Monitor boundary.
- Open the Configuration Panel for the Audio Meter by pushing F5, or from the Configuration Panel item in the View menu
To access the panel for an Audio Meter that is not part of a Monitor:
- Click on the Audio Meter. Control points will appear at the corners and the center of the long side, showing it is selected.
NOTE: at this point the Audio Meter may be positioned (click on the Audio Meter and drag) and scaled (click and drag a control point) within the Layout.
- Open the Configuration Panel for the Audio Meter by pushing F5, or from the Configuration Panel item in the View menu
3.4.2.1 Offline Panels
Assignment Tab
Assign Audio Input
Click the button that identifies the audio source: either audio from a streaming video source, embedded audio or an audio card. The upper portion of the tab varies with the selection, as shown in the figure.
Source
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Data Box
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Details
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Streaming
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IP Address
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Specify the IP address of the streaming audio source.
- If the source is an Allegro1 encoder, the IP address is that of the encoder itself
- If the source is a Densité probe, the IP address is that of the Miranda Application Server that is controlling the Densité frame.
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Feed ID
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Identify which of several possible feeds is to be displayed
- If the source is an Allegro1 encoder, give the ID of the feed as defined in the Allegro (typically C1, C2, etc.).
- If the source is a Densité probe, give the LongID of the Densité frame and card plus _A
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Usage
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Monitoring: streaming video from the Allegro1 encoder includes audio, which can be played on the Kaleido's audio output (monitored), and whose level can displayed on an audio meter (metered). For Kaleido, the ability to monitor implies the ability to meter, so for an Allegro1 streaming source, select Monitoring.
Metering: A Densité probe will send only the level of the audio it is measuring, and not the audio data itself. Therefore, select metering if the streaming source is a Densité probe.
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Embedded
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Video input
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Enter the number of the Kaleido video input in which the embedded audio is found. [enter a number between 1 and 32].
Embedded audio can be extracted only from SD or HD feeds.
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Group
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Identify which audio group is to be metered [enter a number between 1 and 4]
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AES/Stereo
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Identify the AES/Stereo group [1 or 2]
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Audio Card
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AES/Stereo
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Enter the number of the Kaleido audio input [enter a number between 1 and 48]
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In all cases, define whether the Audio Meter will display stereo, left-only or right-only information.
Audio Detection Calibration is only available in online mode.
Channel:
If this Audio Meter is inside a Monitor, the Channel assignment will be shown and the Audio Link Order box will be active.
Enter a new value in the box to change the audio link order.
Appearance Tab
Meter Option:
- Size: Select Small, Medium or Large to set the displayed meter width.
- Orientation: Select horizontal or vertical orientation for the Audio Meter.
- Gradient: Show the tick marks and label them with values on the Audio Meter.
Use the text color pull-down to select a color for the label text.
- Ballistics: Select VU meter or peak meter. (for audio card and embedded input, both may be selected).
- Scale: Select the meter scale from the pull-down list (if the selected scale is not available it will appear on a red background).
Each Audio Meter has three display zones. Click on the Advanced button to modify the Audio scale. Set the color of each zone, and the crossover levels between zones.
After adjusting the settings, click one of the three buttons at the bottom of the panel:
- Save - redefine the existing scale with the new settings.
- Save As...- save these settings as a new scale, which will be named in the Save As dialog.
- Cancel - exit the dialog and leave the values unchanged.
Transparency:
Use the slider to select a transparency for the Audio Meter. The transparency is only seen when the Audio Meter is overlaid on a Video Screen. The selected value is shown as a percentage beneath the slider. Possible values are 0, 15, 30, 45, 55, 70, 85 and 100%.
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Action Tab
Assign Actions
Action on single click: from the pull-down box, select the Action which will be executed when this Audio Meter is single-clicked using the mouse attached to the Kaleido-K2.
Action on double click: from the pull-down box, select the Action which will be executed when this Audio Meter is double-clicked using the mouse attached to the Kaleido-K2.
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Phase Tab
Display Phase Meter:
Click in the check-box to turn the Phase Meter on or off.
Selecting On modifies the on-screen Audio Meter to include a phase meter between the left and right channel displays.
Zones Configuration
The phase meter has two zones whose color can be set independently using the pull down color selection menus.
The sensitivity of the phase meter can be chosen using the slider. The sensitivity scale is representative of a vector-display phase meter where +8/8 represents in-phase and -8/8 represents out-of-phase. Use the slider to select a value that reflects a sensitivity appropriate to the situation. This will determine the crossover point between the two zones.
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Note: The audio phase meter indicates a signal out of phase when the center bar between the audio level meters is predominantly filled. The bar should normally oscillate within the "Normal operation zone" indicated in the graphic on the right.
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3.4.2.2 Online Panels (Kaleido-K2 only)
Assignment Tab
Assign Audio Input
Click the button that identifies the audio source: either audio from a streaming video source, embedded audio or an audio card. The upper portion of the tab varies with the selection, as shown in the figure.
Source
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Data Box
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Details
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Streaming
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IP Address
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Specify the IP address of the streaming audio source.
- If the source is an Allegro1 encoder, the IP address is that of the encoder itself
- If the source is a Densité probe, the IP address is that of the Miranda Application Server that is controlling the Densité frame.
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Feed ID
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Identify which of several possible feeds is to be displayed
- If the source is an Allegro1 encoder, give the ID of the feed as defined in the Allegro (typically C1, C2, etc.).
- If the source is a Densité probe, give the LongID of the Densité frame and card plus _A
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Usage
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Monitoring: streaming video from the Allegro1 encoder includes audio, which can be played on the Kaleido's audio output (monitored), and whose level can displayed on an audio meter (metered). For Kaleido, the ability to monitor implies the ability to meter, so for an Allegro1 streaming source, select Monitoring.
Metering: A Densité probe will send only the level of the audio it is measuring, and not the audio data itself. Therefore, select metering if the streaming source is a Densité probe.
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Embedded
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Video input
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Enter the number of the Kaleido video input in which the embedded audio is found. [enter a number between 1 and 32].
Embedded audio can be extracted only from SD or HD feeds.
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Group
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Identify which audio group is to be metered [enter a number between 1 and 4]
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AES/Stereo
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Identify the AES/Stereo group [1 or 2]
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Audio Card
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AES/Stereo
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Enter the number of the Kaleido audio input [enter a number between 1 and 48]
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In all cases, define whether the meter will display stereo, left-only or right-only information.
Allocate VU/Phase Meters:
Clicking the Allocate button opens a window where the inputs to the VU and phase meters can be selected.
Due to a hardware limitation, you can monitor only 2 AES VU or Phase inputs for each video input card. Here you have to select which AES you want to monitor. Doing this will not change the assignment of your Audio Meter, but will just enable the phase extraction.
If the phase you have selected (here it is video 16, Group 1, AES 1) is not the same as those you are monitoring, you won't see anything on your phase meter. In the example, you must select Group 2, AES 1 for either Phase Meter A or B, before you will be able to use the phase mater.
This restriction only applies when decoding embedded audio from MWI-SDI and MWI-HD modules. There is no such limitation when feeding an audio phase meter from the MWI-SA and MWI-AES audio input modules.
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Audio Detection Calibration:
Click on the Calibration button to open the Audio Detection Calibration box. See Alarms and Alarm Monitors for a full description of these panels. Note that streaming sources are not supported for this function.
Channel:
If this Audio Meter is inside a Monitor, the Channel assignment will be shown and the Audio Link Order box will be active.
Enter a new value in the box to change the audio link order.
Appearance Tab
Meter Option:
- Size: Select Small, Medium or Large to set the displayed Audio Meter width.
- Orientation: Select horizontal or vertical orientation for the Audio Meter.
- Gradient: Show the tick marks and label them with values on the Audio Meter.
Use the text color pull-down to select a color for the label text
- Ballistics: Select VU meter or peak meter. (for audio card and embedded input, both may be selected).
- Scale: Select the meter scale from the pull-down list (if the selected scale is not available it will appear on a red background).
Each Audio Meter has three display zones. Click on the Advanced button to modify the Audio scale. Set the color of each zone, and the crossover levels between zones.
After adjusting the settings, click one of the three buttons at the bottom of the panel:
- Save - redefine the existing scale with the new settings.
- Save As...- save these settings as a new scale, which will be named in the Save As dialog.
- Cancel - exit the dialog and leave the values unchanged.
Peak Configuration (audio card only):
Set the rise time for Peak meters to reach their peak value. Choose between 10 ms and instantaneous.
NOTE: Once the user sets the Rise Time of one input it will change all other audio card inputs.
Transparency:
Use the slider to select a transparency for the audio meter. The transparency is only seen when the audio meter is overlaid on a video screen. The selected value is shown as a percentage beneath the slider. Possible values are 0, 15, 30, 45, 55, 70, 85 and 100%
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Action Tab
Assign Actions
Action on single click: from the pull-down box, select the Action which will be executed when this Audio Meter is single-clicked using the mouse attached to the Kaleido-K2.
Action on double click: from the pull-down box, select the Action which will be executed when this Audio Meter is double-clicked using the mouse attached to the Kaleido-K2.
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Phase Tab
Display Phase Meter:
Click in the check-box to turn the Phase Meter on or off.
Selecting On modifies the on-screen Audio Meter to include a phase meter between the left and right channel displays.
Zones Configuration
The phase meter has two zones whose color can be set independently using the pull down color selection menus.
The sensitivity of the phase meter can be chosen using the slider. The sensitivity scale is representative of a vector-display phase meter where +1 represents in-phase and -1 represents out-of-phase. Use the slider to select a value that reflects a sensitivity appropriate to the situation. This will determine the crossover point between the two zones.
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Note: The audio phase meter indicates a signal out of phase when the center bar between the audio level meters is predominantly filled. The bar should normally oscillate within the "Normal operation zone" indicated in the graphic on the right.
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Calibration Tab
This tab provides access to audio level calibration for the Kaleido's audio inputs.
If the panel opens and displays only a warning message, one of the following situations applies:
- You must assign a valid audio input
Return to the Assignment tab, and enter the number of a valid input in the "Assign Audio Input" section
- Calibration Not Available for Streaming.
You have selected a Streaming input in the Assignment tab. Operational level adjustment is not available for Streaming inputs.
Setting
Click the radio buttons to select one of the available options:
Custom Setting: use this panel to adjust the audio operation level FOR THIS INPUT ONLY
Master Setting: use this panel to adjust the audio operation level for ALL AUDIO INPUTS of the same type (analog or digital) that have "Master Setting" selected in their control panel.
- A warning will appear in the panel below the adjustment controls when this option is selected, to remind the user that this adjustment affects other inputs, not just the one monitored by this meter.
- Meters that have "Custom Setting" selected in their control panel are not affected when the Master Setting is adjusted
The next section of the panel will be titled according to the type of audio signal (digital or analog) being monitored by this meter, and the contents will vary accordingly.
Digital Audio Operation Level Adjustment
The section contains a slider that is used to select the meter scale setting that corresponds to an input level of 0 VU. Beneath the slider is a line of text indicating minimum and maximum scale settings in dBFS, between which is indicated the current setting
The conversion ratio, which is the digital level in dBFS that would register at 0 dB if this digital signal were measured on an analog meter in the Kaleido layout, is exactly the same as the slider setting in this panel, e.g.
{current slider setting} dBFS = 0 dB
Analog Audio Operation Level Adjustment
The section contains a slider that is used to select the meter scale setting that corresponds to an input level of 0 VU. Beneath the slider is a line of text indicating minimum and maximum scale settings in dBU, between which is indicated the current setting
At the bottom is shown the current conversion ratio, in the form:
{24-G} dBu = 0 dBFS
Where G is the hardware gain, and is related to the slider setting according to the following table:
Slider Setting G
+12 to 0 0
-1 to -6 6
-7 to -12 12
-13 to -18 18
-19 to -20 24
The conversion ratio shows the analog level that would register at 0 dBFS if this analog signal were measured on a digital meter in the Kaleido layout.
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3.4.3 Operation
3.4.3.1 Action
Left-click on the Audio Meter in the Kaleido display using the mouse.
- Single-click fires the single-click Action configured for this Audio Meter in the Action pane of its Configuration Panel
- Double-click fires the double-click Action configured for this Audio Meter in the Action pane of its Configuration Panel
If the Action fired is the Audio Monitoring Output Action, then the signal being displayed by this Audio Meter will be routed to the Kaleido's audio monitor.
3.4.3.2 Select a Monitor for Audio Monitoring
Using Kaleido-RCP
Push the Select button on the Kaleido-RCP. Each Monitor in the Layout will show an ID number, and its current Channel assignment (either a Channel name or "No Channel"). A yellow box surrounds the ID of the Monitor currently being pointed to, which is the current selection.
- Use the arrow keys to move the pointer box and change the current selection.
- Push the Audio Mon button. The audio from the Audio Meter with link order 1 in this Monitor will be heard on the Kaleido's audio monitor.
- Pushing Audio Mon again will cycle the audio monitoring source through the other Audio Meters within the Monitor, in link-order sequence, ending in Mute.
Use the Arrow buttons to adjust the audio monitoring:
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Adjust the audio volume.
Note: if the audio originates in a .WAV file, its volume must be adjusted using the Kaleido's Windows volume control, as the signal is not processed through the Kaleido's hardware. You must connect a keyboard and mouse to the Kaleido to do this.
Display the Windows task bar on the Kaleido screen (CTRL+ESC or Windows Logo key) and click the Volume icon on the taskbar. Adjust the Volume Control in the window until the appropriate volume is heard on the audio monitor, then close the window.
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Switch between Mute the audio monitoring and revert to Normal.
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Switch between Attenuate the volume by 20 dB and revert to Normal.
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Using a Keyboard
Push the Tab key on the keyboard. Each Monitor in the Layout will show an ID number, and its current Channel assignment (either a Channel name or "No Channel"). A yellow box surrounds the ID of the Monitor currently being pointed to, which is the current selection.
- Use the arrow keys to move the pointer box and change the current selection.
- Push the W key. The audio from the Audio Meter with link order 1 in this Monitor will be heard on the Kaleido's audio monitor.
- Pushing W again will cycle the audio monitoring source through the other Audio Meters within the Monitor, in link-order sequence, ending in Mute.
Use the Arrow keys to adjust the audio monitoring:
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Adjust the audio volume.
Note: if the audio originates in a .WAV file, its volume must be adjusted using the Kaleido's Windows volume control, as the signal is not processed through the Kaleido's hardware.
Display the Windows task bar on the Kaleido screen (CTRL+ESC or Windows Logo key) and click the Volume icon on the taskbar. Adjust the Volume Control in the window until the appropriate volume is heard on the audio monitor, then close the window.
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Switch between Mute the audio monitoring and revert to Normal.
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Switch between Attenuate the volume by 20 dB and revert to Normal.
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