Is there any way to make the (VU) metering system reflect the playback of the track when it is armed for recording? Currently the  input level is showing, even if the recording process is not actuated. There is no metering for playback on an armed track.
 
I often want to see the metering information for playback on an armed track that is not recording. I think the meters should show playback levels and not recording levels unless you are actually recording.
 
I can't find anything on this in the help files.
 
Anyone have something on this?
 
 
 

I want to be able to look at input level without do actual recording, just arm.
Maybe for most users since I never saw a request for it.
 
In what way are you dependent on meters unless you are mixing, and not armed?
 
There are some settings how an armed track should play back what is already there, or not, but nothing for meters.

No, not currently possible. Why not just disarm it? I suppose you could request an option to show output meters during playback, but most users would want to see record meters while the transport is stopped to facilitate setting levels.

This is certainly not a dramatic problem for me, but it is counter-intuitive to the way I work. And I really think I am not alone in work style.
 
I usually record by making a rough cut, then listening to it, then another cut of the same passage, then listen, and so forth, until it sounds correct. Especially with Comping available. The tracks stay armed.
 
Other times, I will record a practice session with close mic on each player, and we will listen to the recording, then Ctl X the recording and go on to the next song. Sometimes I will save it off but usually it is not a thing to keep. But the tracks stay armed even during playback.
 
Final mixing is an infrequent event in my world. I prefer to record more than mix/master.
 
So my tracks usually stay armed but at least half of the time they are in playback, not recording. The rhythm of the recording process is record, listen, record, listen, over and over. And in Sonar there is no reason to dis-arm a track to listen to it (except for the lack of metering).
 
In Sonar, at the end of a take, the VW meter shows the peak value of the last recording. But the second you playback the armed track the meter will show the room background noise in the mic instead of the sound of the recorded material you are actually listening to.
 
For me, it would be nice to get a meter on what I am hearing during playback even if the track is armed. Of course, once the recording button is pushed I need to see the VU meter of the recording, as always.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Playback meters in track view, record meters in console view?  I think they're independent.

KPerry
Playback meters in track view, record meters in console view?  I think they're independent.

I stay in track view.
 
In track view there are separate options to show record and playback level, and I can't think of a reason not to have both. But there is no option I could find to show playback level on an armed track.
 
And the console view basically works the same way, but is independent from track view as you mention.
 
 

So there's a workaround at least (not ideal, I know).  Plus - again, from memory - the Track Inspector is independent of track view settings too, so you can see one track at a time in a different way.

Th OP is right; the options allow you to choose whether to display or not display record or playback meters in strips, but do not allow you to show playback (i.e. output) levels when a track is armed; TV, CV and Inspector meters will all show input levels if the track is armed.
 
I have no issue with the proposed behavior for playback/output metering of armed tracks during playback as a feature request. I only wanted to emphasize that I think armed tracks should also show record/input levels when the transport is stopped.

Some daws allow both peak and rms meters simulataneously on master - why not have option to show two types when armed for record, both record and playback. It could be a simpler version meter then.
 
Reaper, not having dedicated audio and midi tracks - have both a midi meter beside audio meter, just a thin red line.
 
But personally I think Cake could spend time doing more useful stuff - and I would not vote for it.
You could just as well use extra plugin as meter which would show playback.

lfm
 
But personally I think Cake could spend time doing more useful stuff - and I would not vote for it.
 

On this we agree.
 
I was only asking if it could do it, and explaining why I would like it.
 
I prefer Cake to spend its energy cleaning up instability over adding any features.