Steinberg WaveLab Elements 7 Manual download pdf (Page 231)

9.2 Shared tool windows 217

The outer meters are "history" meters, showing how many bits were recently in use. You

can adjust the hold time in the Settings dialog.

The "over" segment indicates clipping, similar to a clip indicator.

If the "below" segment is lit, there are more than 24 bits. The bit meter will show the 24

higher bits, and the "below" segment indicates the existence of extra, lower bits. Note

that audio is always processed with more than 24 bits internally.

If the "inter" segment is lit, this indicates that the audio data cannot really be expressed

on a regular 24 bit scale (there are ﬂoating point values "in between" bits, thus the label

"inter"). This is typically the case if you apply effects; thus the "inter" segment allows

you to differentiate processed from non-processed 24 bit PCM ﬁles.

When to use the Bit Meter

To check whether dithering is necessary or not. As a rule, if you're playing back or

mixing down to 16 bits, and the Bit Meter shows that more than 16 bits are used, you

should apply dithering.

To see the "actual" resolution of an Audio File. For example, even though a ﬁle is in 24

bit format, only 16 bits may be used. Or, a 32 bit ﬁle may only use 24 bits (in this case,

the "below" segment would not be lit). For this purpose, the Bit Meter is best used in

"Analyze selection" mode.

To see whether a "zeroed" plug-in still affects your signal, or whether a plug-in uses

16 bit internal processing, or more generally, to detect any signal modiﬁer stage in the

audio chain between reading and playing.

To adjust the Bit Meter settings, select "Settings..." from the Options pop-up menu or by

using the icon.

The Bit meter can be found in the Meters menu of the Audio Files and Audio Montage

Workspaces. It can be used either as a ﬂoating window, or docked in the Workspace or the

Control Window.

Related topics

Metering

Dithering

9.2.5 Spectroscope

The Spectroscope shows a continuous graphical representation of the frequency spectrum,

analyzed into 60 separate frequency bands, represented as vertical bars. Peak levels are

shown as a short horizontal lines above the corresponding band, indicating recent peak/-

maximum values. The Spectroscope offers a quick spectrum overview. For a more detailed

analysis of the audio spectrum, use the Spectrometer. The Spectroscope can be found in

the Meters menu of the Audio Files and Audio Montage Workspaces. It can be used ei-

ther as a ﬂoating window, or docked in the Workspace.It can also be docked in the Control

Window.

WaveLab 7

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Steinberg WaveLab Elements 7 Manual Page 231