TC Electronics LM2 Loudness Meter & True-Peak Limiter

LM2

For decades, we have explored and pioneered the field of digital audio and loudness metering, offering state of the art tools that let you measure, correct and convert audio for any application.
With LM2, you get a full-featured stereo loudness and true-peak meter, as well as a mastering-grade true peak limiter, which is perfect not only for post, film and live production, but also for broadcast ingest, linking and transmission.

When you need to comply with broadcast standards, the numbers are paramount, and on LM2’s front panel, you can check the all-important digits instantly. For even more loudness details, simply connect LM2 to a PC or Mac via USB and you get full, realtime Radar screen picture using the included Icon application.
In short, with LM2 we stay true to our pioneering obligations and are proud to present you with next-generation metering!

Precision Loudness, True Peak and Logging

Precision Normalization and Meta Data

Global broadcast guidelines now recognize the need for keeping audio transmission easy and predictable; the main facilitators being transparent normalization and fixed metadata. LM2 facilitates precision normalization and optimum use of dialnorm metadata in AC3 transmission in order to avoid level jumps between regular programming and promos or commercials.

Standard Support

LM2 comes pre-loaded with factory presets compliant with new ITU-R BS.1770, ATSC A/85, EBU R128, NABJ, OP-59, BCAP and more guidelines. LM2 is easily field upgradeable* and will keep synchronized with global practices as they refine. Undoubtedly, standards will be updated within LM2’s warranty period which is a whopping 5 years.

True-Peak Limiter

LM2 also features a fully fledged true-peak limiter with 5 adaptive and dedicated limiting profiles optimzed for various types of content.

True-Peak Limiter Profile 1: Dynamic
Tailored for ‘sensitive’ content – such as classical music, jazz and other acoustic genres – that only need gentle dynamic processing.

True-Peak Limiter Profile 2: AC3 Codec
This profile is tuned to avoid overloads when using Dolby’s AC3 codec.

True-Peak Limiter Profile 3: Universal
Use this limiter profile for general purposes and for ‘unknown content’, for example live transmissions.

True-Peak Limiter Profile 4: Loud
In general, we recommend that you don’t process your audio too heavily as it is likely to introduce dynamic distortion, but in case you just need to go very loud, this is the limiter profile you should choose.

True-Peak Limiter Profile 5: Voice
As the name implies, this limiter profile is optimized for voice. It could be speakover applications or for talk radio.

Connections

LM2 always offers a wide variety of 24 bit resolution audio inputs and outputs: AES/EBU, TOS, SPDIF / AES3 id, ADAT and Analog. Analog I/Os are scaled in the analog domain for max utilization of converter dynamic range. Analog inputs may be trimmed at 0.01 dB precision. LM2 may connect via USB to a PC or a Mac for access to the Radar display, Logging, Remote control, Preset management etc.

24/7 Logging

As a standard feature, LM2 comes with hindsight: The radar can show the past 24 hours, but LM2 actually includes so much memory of its own that you can take a detailed look one week back in time, even if it has had no connection to a computer. Dump log files routinely to a PC or to a Mac, import files into graphing templates included, or design your own in Excel, Numbers etc.

Ingest Normalization

The primary application for LM2 is as a loudness meter but it does one more thing very well: Automatic level offset of programs at a no-compromise resolution (48 bit, fixed point). LM2 therefore includes a precison true-peak limiter to avoid output overload when positive gain normalization is required. For fans of speech normalization, allow LM2 to measure some regular dialog and normalize to that. Otherwise, let its relative gate function automatically take care of all sources. Presets are included, the choice is yours.

Loudness Radar Meter Features

1. 1. Radar View: Short Term Loudness History, 4 min per revolution, 6dB between circles
   2. Loudness Target
   3. Outer Ring: Momentary Loudness (M)
   4. Soft part: Short Term Loudness (S)
   5. Loud part: Short Term Loudness (S)
   6. Loudness Range (LRA): (entire program)
   7. True–peak warning
   8. Loudness Unit: (LU, LUFS or LKFS)
   9. Time since Reset
   10. Program Loudness (I): (entire program)

Loudness Website

Keeping track of the multitude of issues around loudness can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve created a one-stop dedicated loudness website where you’ll find critical information on the most important issues.
The site is an answer to the highly relevant question: “What Is Loudness, and Why Is It Important?”

To learn more about TC Electronic, Click Here

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