TC Electronic LM5D - Loudness Radar Meter with Universal Descriptors (TDM)

A fundamental issue for broadcasters is how to control the volume of disparate media, be it pristine music tracks from the past that have great dynamic range, new recordings that are "flat-lined" and loud, or TV commercials blaring out during drama broadcast breaks. This fundamental audio issue - control of loudness -makes millions of people adjust the volume control over and over again every day.

LM5D from tc electronic is part of a universal and ITU standardized loudness control concept, whereby audio may easily and consistently be measured and controlled at various stages of production and distribution. The software can instantly display loudness, loudness history and true-peak level derived from this international standard.

While it performs all of the same functions as the LM5, the LM5D adds 2 long-term Universal Descriptors, Center of Gravity and Consistency. This allows for any sports, news, music, commercial, or film program or track to be characterized easily and precisely. Center of Gravity indicates the average loudness of a program, while Consistency indicates the loudness variations inside a program.

LM5D is suitable for use in music, post production, broadcast and film, and offers a more coherent way of managing level and avoiding distortion when compared to present methods still used in music production today. The loudness meter may be used in conjunction with existing PPM and VU meters, and also greatly increases the usability of Dolby's LM100 by providing running status, and a standardized indication of dialog, as well as non-dialog program.