What are the meters used to measure audio levels on an audio mixing device called?

The meters used to measure audio levels on an audio mixing device are indeed referred to primarily as VU meters. VU stands for Volume Unit, and these meters are designed to provide a visual representation of the average audio signal level rather than its peak. This makes them particularly useful for setting levels in analog tape recording and broadcasting, where maintaining a consistent average level is crucial.

While other types of meters, such as audio peak meters and digital audio meters, can also measure audio levels, they serve different purposes. Audio peak meters display the highest level of an audio signal to ensure that it does not exceed the maximum threshold that could lead to distortion. Digital audio meters function similarly but are specific to digital audio systems and often provide more detailed information about signal levels in a digital format.

The presence of the correct option being solely VU meters highlights their historical significance and common usage in professional audio environments for monitoring and achieving balanced sound levels. Therefore, identifying VU meters as the correct answer captures the fundamental type of meter traditionally associated with audio level measurement, even if other meters exist that measure similar parameters in different ways.