The Vital Sounds Single Stereo Display is a new and intuitive way to monitor the audio level of a stereo program.

Unlike stereo Left and Right VU meters, the SSD shows both channels in a single row of illuminated segments.
As in normal displays, the lowest signal levels start lighting up the left side of the display, and louder levels move
the lighted segments further up to the right.

However, in the SSD, the Left Channel makes the segments glow Green, and the Right channel  makes them glow Red.   
When both channels are operating, the red and green colors mix to show amber.

Audio that is perfectly balanced will light both red and green rows the same amount, resulting in a solid bar of amber.  
When the right or left channel is louder or softer, the rows of color will be driven by different amounts.
This results in the amber segments having some  red or green appearing at the top,   
How far that color extends above the amber blocks shows how out of balance the channels are.

If a channel drops out, the display will become solid green or solid red.  
This makes it easy to spot problems when laying down masters or feeding a network.

The result?  A single display that shows the level of both stereo channels as well as the difference between them.   
The display is easier to understand than a pair of VU meters.  It uses less panel space and fewer components.   

Following a short period of adaptation, users prefer the SSD to two VU meters.  
Because it is easier to interpret, it's also less tiring to use

Along with the stand-alone version using  the LED display, the concept may also be implemented as  a computer program.  
This integrates easily into existing audio workstation and many contemporary console designs.

Red and Green are used as examples in the description; any other colors may be substituted if desired.

      

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