Douk Audio Invites you to Help Shape Our VU360 VU Meter Together

[Douk Audio]

Hello all members here!

Today, we are excited to introduce a new product in the design phase—the VU360 meter. Although the product is not yet finalized, we hope to perfect it with your valuable feedback.

Currently, the VU360 supports the following features:
Audio Input: 3.5mm AUX/MIC
Audio Output: 3.5mm AUX
Adjustment Functions: Supports gain, sensitivity, color (single and multi-color), and brightness adjustments
As a brand that values customer feedback, Douk Audio invites you to share your thoughts and suggestions to bring this product to life!

We would like to know:
Do you find the design of the VU meter dial aesthetically pleasing?
Should we add some aircraft instrument elements into the dial?
Can you provide some examples of dial designs you like for our reference?
Do you think the features of this VU meter meet your needs?
Are there any features you think should be added or removed?
Of course, any other feedback is also welcome.

To thank you for your participation, once the product prototype is completed, we will select one lucky participant from all feedback submissions to receive a VU360.
Please join us and share your thoughts!

 

[Douk Audio]

Here is the picture of the VU360 now.

 

[Blumlein 88]

How about going thru a range of colors related to the level of the signal. Kind of like Focusrite does with their interfaces. Something basic, like a cool green morphing into yellow then orange and finally red.

A turned aluminum or brass panel around the meter would be cool looking too.

Or even a finned surface around the gauge like the old instrument panels from the 1930s.

 

[Brian Hall]

I'm used to seeing separate left / right VU meters with the needles moving left and right so having them in a different orientation doesn't "feel" right. Consider making the unit wider with two separate VU meters.

I wouldn't want to use 3.5mm connectors. Needs to be banana plug/spade/bare wire connectors like we are more likely to have on our speakers.

I would prefer to have the controls on the front of the unit instead of the top. Having them on the top limits where they can be placed.

 

[surroundman]

I like this VU meter. No complains at all. I think 3.5mm is appropriate for the size and use case of this device.

 

[sergeauckland]

I may he boring, but what is the purpose of this? A pretty box that twitches seductively, or a measuring instrument?

It doesn't meet the VU meter spec visually, I don't know if it meets it dynamically.

I would be much more likely to buy such a box if it was something like the old NTP PPMs, especially if it actually met the PPM spec.

 

[Taiga]

I like this VU meter. No complains at all. I think 3.5mm is appropriate for the size and use case of this device.

I like it as well. Any info on price?

 

[amadeogt]

Here is the picture of the VU360 now.

View attachment 391785

The shape reminds me of this Panasonic 8 track.

 

[DWPress]

Put controls on the front, lots of people like to stack gear.

Probably good to clarify up front if this thing is using precision grade meters and supporting electronics or just a "pretty box that twitches seductively" - pricing should be appropriate for capability.

 

[dualazmak]

Hello @Douk Audio,

I have been, I am, I will be, always waiting for vertically and horizontally stackable/connectable IEC60268-17 (ref. here) ballistic-behavior-(almost)-compatible large (hopefully glass) face single VU-meter-module which can accept line-level and SP-high-level signals (switchable) with clean-transparent-through-outputs (should meet with @amirm's strict/precise measurements and requirements); please refer to my post here requesting it to NEOHIPO people.

My DIY efforts on such IEC60268-17 compatible 12-VU-Meter Array shared in my post here would be also of your reference, I assume.

 

[Totemis]

- Why not ! but please, have a look to Erin video about Fosi LC30 ...

- measurment : db ? Watt ? (4-6-8 Ohm?) how i can adjust the precision range level ?
- Or maybe just good for a visual artefact...
- Let's innovate !

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

Toslink and/or coaxial digital inputs would ease integration.

 

[Doodski]

The multi colored LED for background lighting that can be adjusted for any color(s) is a good feature. The vertical orientation is foreign to nearly all people as we have been using horizontally oriented meters for decades (Many years.). To have it accurate as @dualazmak advised would be great. Put the controls and switching on the front panel and use a nice font. I need to confirm if the meter has low level signal metering or is this run off speaker output wires?

 

[Doodski]

Toslink and/or coaxial digital inputs would ease integration.

Yes, if I can run this when using my DAC, headphone amp and headphones that would be very good.

 

[DVDdoug]

Personally, I like the old large, rectangular meters that you'd see in studios.

A peak power meter would probably be more useful. Range selection (maybe automatic ranging) would likely be a requirement.

 

[dualazmak]

Toslink and/or coaxial digital inputs would ease integration.

I, at least myself, am rather reluctant in this "digital input" feature since in this case the VU unit need to have some DAC chip and module in it.

Furthermore, the implementation of the "must of" transparent/clean Toslink and coaxial digital through outputs would arise more complexity and costs.

I prefer that VU meters would always stay in analog domain, i.e. line-level (XLR-balanced or RCA-unbalanced, selectable) and SP-high-level; line-level or SP-high-level should be also selectable as I requested/proposed in my post here.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

Furthermore, the implementation of the "must of" transparent/clean Toslink and coaxial digital through outputs would arise more complexity and costs.

Not required at all. A simple optical splitter cable works perfectly well, up to 24/192. I use this myself.

 

[dualazmak]

Personally, I like the old large, rectangular meters that you'd see in studios.

Me, too!
This is one of the critical reasons for I propose/request in my post here as well my intensive DIY efforts shared in my post here.

 

[dualazmak]

Not required at all. A simple optical splitter cable works perfectly well, up to 24/192. I use this myself.

OK, well understood, but the unit still needs to have DAC chip/module...
I now agree on your point only if they can implement this digital input feature at reasonable/affordable additional costs.
I will soon revise my "proposed" backside view of the (almighty?) VU-module (ref. here) to include your point.

 

[dualazmak]

Yes, I did it!