I don't think he's talking about capturing audio, rmj, where input levels abound as (I think) you're saying...

I don't have Vegas 4, but Vegas 3.0 thankfully introduced the Master Fader and output meter - this will show the output levels as the sum of all the track levels plus any busses. If you need to see the output level of just one track or a group of tracks, you can isolate (solo) the relevant track and see its output level in the master, or, you can send whatever tracks you want to a bus which will have its own output level meter. The master fader and meter will always be the sum of all tracks and/or busses.

Thanks Momo, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I don't capture audio in Vegas...I'm usually mixing a project down in it. Meters would help. I never thought about the bus concept...I'm going to try that...could be cool. Thanks.

waynegee,

If you're using Vegas 1.0, you're right - you won't see any output meters unless you add a bus. However, you can only add a total of 4 busses in version 1.0, so bear that in mind. I went from version 1 to 3 so I don't know what 2.0 had to offer, but I suggest that you upgrade to at least 3.0 since that version introduced the master fader and output level, which I think is all you're looking for anyway. :)

momo

Waynegee (back to your orig post, cos I came late)
"Now, the mixes are clearer, to my ears anyway, if only cuz' I can see what's going on with levels and such"

Do you listen with your eyes ? ;-) .

I have also suggested playback meters on tracks, but as ears should be the main guide am reasonably satisfied to forgo them if they would be *at the expense of overall performance*.

geoff

Agreed Geoff, though I do think at least an <option> to enable individual track metering would be great. Basically, I assume they'd look like the track record meters, but with the option of having them operate during playback. Other native DAWs manage this - not sure if it's detrimental to performance or not...?

Ben

Do we really need individual output meters for each track? When capturing audio, Vegas gives you all the meter feedback you want, plus whatever your upstream hardware is telling you. But after the signal is captured, the resulting waveform is right there. If there was any clipping it would be immediately obvious even before you heard it on playback. If you're worried about the signal's level after chaining pile of plug-ins, why not render it in your favourite editor so you can have the waveform feedback again? That's where the rubber hits the road anyway.

And besides, if you really need to see a meter, you can send the track(s) to a bus and get all the blinky lights you need. :)

I guess it just boils down to what you're used to and what you're using the app for in the first place.

-mo

I rarely do full mixes in Vegas anymore. Logic has become better and better, and since the advent of the Waves plugin-pack and better CPU's I can usually do master mixes directly in Logic.

BUT.

For 5.1 movie sound I still use Vegas, and while track meters would be nice, I can't say I actually need them to mix. I've learned level management enough to keep my output volume the same as my input one; All Waves plug-ins have output meters anyway so there's no risk of clipping.

I bus everything out to an external console for mixing so the bus meters tell me most of what I need. However, I definitely would prefer also having track meters so I can see clearly what each individual track is doing.

drbam

Actually, I'd like individual track meters, not just a master meter. Uh...no, I listen with my ears and see with my eyes and that is why every console EVER MADE has meters on them. I just recently found out about distorting the plug-ins even if the master fader is still below 0.0. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to do it in Vegas, with meters or without, not to justify what I think my needs are or get into a flame war over wheteher Vegas needs meters or not. I don't give a sh@t if anyone needs them or not...I just wanna know if anyone had any tips on how to do it in Vegas. If you don't, keep your mouths shut and save your typing fingers, kapeesh? (and I mean that in the nicest possible way.)

The busses deal Momo suggested works great. Only 26 busses, tho? Oof.

if you are worried about clipping fx, that is why vegas has meters on the fx. you have an input and an output on pretty much every effect!

my bad!! that is just the compressor. however, i usually run reverbs off an fx buss. this gives you input and output metering.

>waynegee (Ignore This User)

> and that is why every console EVER MADE has meters on them.

So I must be imagining that I have two consoles that don't have metering ? Actually one has, but it is an optional extra.

geoff

PS - I did say I would *like* to see playback level meters too. The processing overhead could be alleviated by making tehm optional, if that is a problem....