PICO Program Meter
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(shown with £2 coin for scale!)
Miniature Stereo PPM, ideal for NLE Monitoring.
PICO has been designed specifically for Professional applications requiring stereo metering to PPM specification. As with all Murraypro audio metering, that vital parameter STEREO PHASE, is continuously monitored by "Traffic Light" logic; a normally green LED snapping to red immediately trouble is detected, instantly flagging the problem to busy Operators. The phase indication is extremely reliable, and is vital in an editing environment, where full quality audio monitoring is often compromised by operational pressures. The "Pico's" deceptively simple traffic light logic provides this vital phase information instantly and automatically, preventing embarrasing ( and very expensive!) mistakes that may only become apparent much later. (Learn more about stereo PHASE)Each channel is monitored by an ultra-bright red LED, which gives clear warning should the audio level exceed the +8dB peak level (="6" on the PPM scale), the threshold is adjustable and is set to trigger at +8.15dBV.7
Pico has carved a niche for itself in "audio-for-editing" equipment, and it is frequently specified in High End installations throughout the Industry. PPM monitoring is provided on 2 illuminated miniature meters. True PPM scaling (4dB/division) together with the classic fast attack (with minimal overshoot!) and slow decay times are ensured by the full specification precision meter drive amplifier. The miniature movements that are fitted in this 1 U height have a very slightly relaxed specification, but closely emulate the full-sized BS 6840 meters (which are now obsolete, having been withdrawn by their Torquay manufacturer), and boast a surprisingly large 42 x 20 mm scale.
PICO's bright white LED illumination means the PPM's pointer and scale are clearly visible, even in subdued Control Area lighting.
PICO's extremely low external magnetic field means that it can be located adjacent to CRT equipment without any effect on either colour purity or scan geometry.
Installation Engineers are particularly pleased with the high impedance looping inputs (with complimentary sex XLR-3s), ensuring that it can be "dropped in" to virtually any circuit configuration. Input signals may be balanced or unbalanced. Although the "Pico" is supplied pre-aligned so that 0dBU/ 0dBV.7/ 0.775V RMS = "4" on the PPM scale, the absolute sensitivity of the instrument may be adjusted on internal multi-turn preset resistors to cover the range +/-12dBU (nominal); thus catering for the rather low level unbalanced audio output of some PC audio cards, and the somewhat higher Reference levels in use within certain sections of the Audio Industry.
(See details on our versatile Octal Buffer for general audio interfacing).
Mains power input to the internal PSU is via a 3 pin IEC connector, which eliminates external "wall warts".
AES input option is available to order.
FAQ
Help! I have lost my PICO's Manual:
This is easy to fix, just use the following hyperlink PICO Manual, and print yourself a further copy.
I'm certainly NOT an 'Expert', how might I install a PICO in my own modest Edit Suite?
First let it be understood that we never make recommendations regarding interfacing specific (User) Equipment and Murraypro Equipment. We are of course happy to offer detailed advice on all aspects of Murraypro Equipment and it's particular capabilities, subject to the usual commercial confidences.
That said, it is usually simple to interface our cost effective PICO PPM Unit with other Equipment, hence it's well deserved popularity. The standard PICO is designed for use with analogue IP signals and functions with either Balanced (XLR) audio, or unbalanced (Phono connector) audio. The audio signal levels for these two different audio connection protocols are usually quite different, but the PICO PPM is easily adjusted from the Factory Set standard "0dBU" level (which is how it is supplied), to accommodate the (invariably lower) 'Phono' audio level. There are usually 3 installation variants, which are described below:-
1) Often, Users have existing 'downstream' equipment (perhaps a Recorder) that is fed from the Editor (or Mixer) on twin XLR-3 cables. In this case installation is very simple, and the existing XLRs are removed from the 'downstream' equipment's input, and transferred to the PICO's input. To re-establish that original connectivity, the Channel 1 & Channel 2 balanced audio is 'looped' THROUGH the PICO, and onwards to the 'downstream' Equipment, using the pair of XLR Utility cables that are included with each PICO. It really is that simple! Usually NO level adjustment, of the PICO, will be required.
2) If an unused stereo XLR OP is available and there is NO 'downstream' equipment, the loop through capability will NOT be required, and so the PICO may be conveniently fed direct from this using the supplied XLR cables. Usually NO level adjustment, of the PICO, will be required. Under NO circumstances should 'terminating' a line with 600 ohms be considered; such practice is long obsolete!
3) Where only an (unbalanced) Stereo Phono output is available, the PICO PPM may again be used for metering, but attempts to use the 'loop through' capability may be problematic, and caution is advised. Usually, the unbalanced stereo phono signal line is connected directly to XLR Pin 3, and XLR 1+2 to Screen/Ground of the input to the PICO. Under NO circumstances should 'terminating' a Phono output ever be considered; this would be likely to cause severe difficulty!
Murraypro can furnish XLR to Phono connector cables if required, and offer advice on how to adjust the PICO's (internal) input preset gain controls to function correctly with 'Phono Levels'. Be aware that unbalanced 'Phono' audio levels are usually between 6 and 10dB (about 2 full PPM scale divisions) LOWER than a 'Balanced' audio level, and the gain setting of the PICO must be adjusted to compensate. This is very straight forward adjustment, PROVIDED the instructions below are followed!
We are pleased to have supplied a significant number of PICOs over the years, and we are NOT aware of a single Installation where satisfactory Operation has not been achieved.
I don't suspect "Phantom Tweeking", but I need to adjust the PICO's gain:
As shipped, an input signal amplitude of 0dBU (= 0dBV.7 = 0.775V RMS) at 1KHz will produce a meter deflection to PPM Mark "4"
Adjustment to normalise the PICO's gain for a different operating level is not an unusual requirement, and the PICO has a readily accessable internally preset gain range greater then +/- 10dB, to facilitate operation in a different environment. Simply remove the 4 screws retaining the top cover, and locate the MULTI-TURN preset resistors R37 and R38, situated in the front left corner of the main circuit board. Usually these are small BLUE RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS with a metal adjusting screw on the top surface. Do NOT adjust any other preset resistor.
Ensure that your external equipment IS correctly adjusted , and operating to your satisfaction (perhaps producing a reference tone at -18dBFS, for example), and only then adjust only R37 & R38 to produce PPM Mark "4" on each meter. Replace, and screw down the top cover.
Murraypro strongly recommends that a label is afixed to the outside of your adjusted PICO indicating that the "Operating Level" has been altered. This can save many hours of concern and worry in the future, if the PICO is subsequently relocated to an area with a different "Operating Level" as, without your label, your own gain adjustment will not otherwise be immediately obvious to other folk!
Somebody has had the lid off the PICO, and now it reads audio levels incorrectly!
Ouch! you now have only two courses of action available.
i) If you have access to accurate audio test equipment, and are content to follow the alignment instructions via the hyperlink Alignment, you can restore the PICO to rude good health yourself.
ii) Contact Murraypro tech@murraypro.com by email, requesting a Return Material Authorisation (RMA) docket, and we will undertake the alignment on your behalf following it's return to our Works. Please note that this re-alignment service is chargeable.
It has to be said that the PICO is normally extremely reliable, and very stable, so "gain drift" is extremely unlikely to occur naturally if the equipment is left undisturbed. In practice, the so-called "Fairy Fingers" are, by far, the most likely cause of PICO problems!
Testamonials
