What device is typically used to visualize audio levels during recording?

The typical device used to visualize audio levels during recording is the AVU Meter. AVU stands for Audio Volume Unit, and these meters measure the amplitude of audio signals in decibels. They provide a visual representation of the audio levels, allowing sound engineers to monitor the signal and ensure it is not too low (which could result in unwanted noise) or too high (which could lead to distortion or clipping).

While an oscilloscope can also visualize audio signals, it is more commonly used to analyze waveforms rather than specific audio levels, making it less suitable for monitoring volume levels during recording. A signal generator is used to create audio signals for testing and troubleshooting, but it does not assist in visualizing levels of recorded audio. A mixing console can provide some level of monitoring through built-in meters, but it is not specifically designed as a visualization tool for audio levels in the same way an AVU Meter is.