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ML3000

User Guide

The Meterpod

The Console Meterpod

The

ML3000

continues the Allen & Heath tradition

to provide full signal metering at key stages in the
signal chain. The channel LED meters give you
important signal information and multipoint peak
sensing. The meterpod displays all the post-fade
main output levels including groups, auxes, matrix
and main, as well the PFL/AFL metering of any
signal in the console.

The meterpod is a low profile, full length integral
design that cannot be removed. It has 11
illuminated moving coil VU meters and 3 LED bar
meters. The right hand VU meters can be switched
to display either Aux 5-8 or Matrix 1-4 outputs. For
example you could configure the console to display
Groups 1-4, LCR, and Matrix 1-4 on the meters in
front-of-house mode, or Aux 1-8, LR and Wedge in
stage monitor mode.

The 3 main output meters are duplicated on both
VU and LED bar meters so that the main or
PFL/AFL signals can be checked for average and
peak levels simultaneously. Bright red LEDs light
when an input PFL or output AFL has been
selected. The C meters switch to display the PFL
or AFL signals. The LR meters turn off when PFL
or AFL is active to avoid confusion.

MATRIX Meter Select

. Press the METERS switch

in the master section to switch the right hand VU
meters to display the Matrix 1-4 rather than Aux 9-
12 output levels. The green LED in the meterpod
lights when matrix is selected.

Lamps

Three console lamp connectors are positioned on
the rear of the meterpod. Standard 4-pin right-
angled XLR gooseneck Littlites are recommended.
Plug the lamps in and bend the goosenecks up and
over the Meterpod to illuminate the control surface.

Meter Types

Both VU and LED bar types of meter are provided
on the

ML3000

. This gives you the best of both

average and peak metering.

VU Meter

. The VU (volume unit) meter is an

established standard for measuring audio signals.
Unlike LED meters, it is easy to read under all
lighting conditions. This makes it well suited to
outdoor festival work. It has reasonably slow
dynamics (attack and release) and is therefore good
at displaying the average music programme. It is
not able to display fast peaks and transients. The
scale is restricted between –20 and +5 to provide
good resolution around average reading. A reading
of ‘0’ represents 0dBu at the main outputs. A PEAK
LED is included to warm when the signal is within
5dB of clipping. This has a fast response to catch
the transients.

LED Bar Meter

. This meter

comprises a ladder of LEDs each set
to light when the signal reaches its
preset level. It has the advantage of
much faster dynamics and can show
the musical peaks and transients.
The scale is extended to read from a
low –30 to a very high +16 which
represents a peak warning 5dB before
clipping.

Three LED colours display signal
condition:

Green

. Normal signal readings up to 0dB.

Yellow

. Hot signal readings above 0dB and up to

12dB. Loud moments reading up to 6dB are fine.
Higher readings warn of reduced headroom.

Red

. Lights at +16dB to warn that you are within

5dB of clipping and audible distortion. If this flashes
then reduce the gain or mix levels.