(n.) A meter that accurately measures and displays peak audio signals, as opposed to average audio signals shown by a VU meter. The PPM augments the VU meter, and both are useful. The PPM is particularly valuable for digital audio recording or signal processing due to the critical monitoring required to prevent overdriving the inputs. There are two standards: IEC 60268- 10 for analog meters and IEC 60268-18 for digital meters. PPMs are designed to require a finite 5 millisecond integration time so that only peaks wide enough to be audible are displayed.
peak program meter [PPM]
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