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PPM (Peak Programme Meter)
A PPM is a meter that displays the short, peak levels of an audio signal. It is designed to show fast transients so clipping or overload can be avoided, and is commonly used in broadcast and live production as well as multicam recording. In modern multicam audio/video workflows a PPM is often used alongside digital dBFS and loudness meters to ensure individual microphone and camera signals stay below peak thresholds.
VU (VU meter)
A VU (Volume Unit) meter is an instrument that displays average audio levels, originally developed for broadcast. The VU meter has a relatively slow response (about 300 ms), so it shows average or perceptual loudness rather than very short transient peaks. In multicam audio/video productions it is commonly used to match input gains across cameras, wireless lavaliers and mixers, but it should be used alongside a peak meter to avoid digital clipping.