BeepBoop Electronics 1U Analogue VU Meter Eurorack Module

The 1U Analogue VU Meter is part of the upcoming Beepboop TAPERACK system designed for monitoring the record and playback signal levels but it can also be used with any audio signal level in your eurorack system.

Originally the module was designed around a pair of USSR Tape recorder VUs found on ebay but getting hold of more USSR VU meters has been very difficult.
Thankfully I found a modern equivalent with arbitrary units……… numbers are overrated anyway.

How to use

• To monitor an audio signal at any point in your patch simply route through the 1U Analogue VU Meter.
• First break the connection in the patch then route to the IN jack and then back to the original destination from the OUT jack.
• The needle will respond to the level of audio signals routed to the input.
• The units 0-10 are arbitrary and you can adjust the sensitivity of the meter using the trimmer on the back on the rear of the module.
• I have calibrated each module to display approx 8 for modular level audio signals (10 V Peak to Peak) leaving some room to display over driven audio signals.
• The module can be DC coupled for use with DC signals between 0-10V. Add a pin jumper to the position marked DC on the back of the module.
• The VU backlight stays lit when nothing is patched but becomes reactive to signal levels when an audio signal is routed to the input.
• The sensitivity of the circuit can be adjusted using the trimer to make it just react for overdriven signals.

Currently available with BLACK OR WHITE Backgrounds (see photos). The black ones are limited to only 5 in total! The white ones are readily available so I will be able to keep making those.

The back light uses a 0.04Amp 12V incandescent bulb. The bulb, like all bulb will fail at some point. I will include a pre wired bulb to use as a replacement but it will require disassembling the module to desolder the old and resolder in the new. A LED can be used instead of the incandescent bulb but nothing beats the warm analogue glow.

Includes power cable, pin jumper and screws.

Patch ideas

• Monitor levels in feedback systems for better control.
• Adjust sensitivity of VU to max out and make audible clicks. Use a Piezo to listen to the needle for ASMR sounds.
• Use the reactive back light as a light source for LDR based sensors.

Specifications

• Width: 14hp
• Depth: 50mm
• Height: 1U
• Power: +12v 36mA / -12v 6mA

Manufacturer product page here.