K-Metering
Type: noun
Pronunciation: /k-meet-err-ing/
Also spelled or known as: KMetering, K Metering
What does K-Metering mean? An audio level metering format which must be used with a monitoring system to set up a calibrated acoustic reference level.
K-Metering is an audio level metering format which must be used with a monitoring system to set up a calibrated acoustic reference level. Three VU-like meter scales are provided, differing only in the displayed headroom margin.
K-20 scale is used for source recording and wide dynamic-range mixing/mastering, it can have a 20dB headroom margin. The K-14 scale allows 14dB of headroom and is used for most pop music mixing/mastering.
The K-12 scale is used for material with a more heavily restricted dynamic range, such as for broadcasting. In all of these cases, the meter’s zero mark is aligned with the acoustic reference level.
Developed by: Mastering engineer Bob Katz