Feature Suggestion: User-Created VU Meter Designs & Community Submissions

[cherroip]

I wanted to throw an idea out there and see what the community and the Wiim team think.

One of the coolest parts of audio culture through the years has been the iconic VU meters — from old-school analog needles to nixie tubes, FM tuners, cassette deck displays, and even classic Winamp visualizations. These designs aren't just functional, they’re part of the vibe of enjoying music.

Right now, Wiim offers some nice built-in meter styles (not really but it's a start), but I think it would be awesome if advanced users here on the forum could create and submit their own custom VU meter designs for the Wiim Ultra (and other Wiim devices if possible).

Ideally, it would be amazing if we could upload and update our own VU meters locally — maybe through a folder structure or a web UI similar to how wallpapers are handled on some platforms. I realize that might be complicated, but even if we started with a community submission process, it could be a great way to add variety and personality to our devices.

This would also give Wiim a way to sidestep some of the copyright limitations involved in replicating classic designs from brands like Sony, Pioneer, Bang & Olufsen, etc. Letting users contribute their own interpretations would open the door to creative ideas:

I think a passionate community could come up with some incredible stuff, and it would add a lot of personality to the Wiim ecosystem.

 

[cc_rider]

Or you can DIY

GitHub - retired-guy/WiiM-VU: VU Meter Display for WiiM

VU Meter Display for WiiM. Contribute to retired-guy/WiiM-VU development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[Smartplug]

We already have VU meter and we don’t need more. If that’s what important to you, I’m sure there’s something from Amazon you can buy to look at while you’re listening.

 

[cherroip]

Or you can DIY

GitHub - retired-guy/WiiM-VU: VU Meter Display for WiiM

VU Meter Display for WiiM. Contribute to retired-guy/WiiM-VU development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Good project
As far as I know, there’s no API or tool available that allows users to modify or customize the VU meter or display on the Wiim devices.
Unless there’s some undocumented feature or workaround I missed.

 

[cherroip]

We already have VU meter and we don’t need more. If that’s what important to you, I’m sure there’s something from Amazon you can buy to look at while you’re listening.

Excellent point sir.
I didn't considered that angle, Thanks for your point of view.

VU meters have been an iconic part of audio for decades, and for some of us, having the option to tweak or design our own isn’t just fluff — it’s a way to make our setup feel personal and connected to the tradition we grew up with.

It’s totally fine if it’s not something you’d use, but opening up that flexibility for those who care about it wouldn’t take anything away from the existing features — it would just give the community more room to get creative.

 

[canard]

Excellent point sir.
I didn't considered that angle, Thanks for your point of view.

VU meters have been an iconic part of audio for decades, and for some of us, having the option to tweak or design our own isn’t just fluff — it’s a way to make our setup feel personal and connected to the tradition we grew up with.

It’s totally fine if it’s not something you’d use, but opening up that flexibility for those who care about it wouldn’t take anything away from the existing features — it would just give the community more room to get creative.

You are forgetting an essential point...."in past" they generally had a useful aspect...in particular for recording whereas but here.... it is essentially just decorative at 99.99%..
;-)

 

[adias]

For those who care more about sound quality and less about frills, consider that additional processing and screen rendering can increase EMI and therefore noise, potentially reducing sound quality.

I vote for no frills and superior sound.

 

[CliffyBC]

I'm always up for more eye candy, no point in having a screen if there's nothing on it that you can see from your listening position. I don't know how people can read the text on the screen, are they listening in a broom cupboard?
I wouldn't be too worried about EMI and reducing sound quality, WiiM Ultra's are budget products and really shouldn't be thought of as audiophile quality.
For the price that they cost they offer decent quality audio with an ever expanding feature set which is why people are purchasing them.

 

[Pragmatist]

I'm always up for more eye candy, no point in having a screen if there's nothing on it that you can see from your listening position. I don't know how people can read the text on the screen, are they listening in a broom cupboard?
I wouldn't be too worried about EMI and reducing sound quality, WiiM Ultra's are budget products and really shouldn't be thought of as audiophile quality.
For the price that they cost they offer decent quality audio with an ever expanding feature set which is why people are purchasing them.

There is at least one part in this post where I expect great contradiction. Only ask myself if its already time for popcorn

 

[Burnside]

There is at least one part in this post where I expect great contradiction. Only ask myself if its already time for popcorn

Yeah, I’m waiting on AmirM to jump on it too

 

[Pragmatist]

Yeah, I’m waiting on AmirM to jump on it too

Speak of the devil and the devil shows up! I do not believe, but quite sure he has his soldiers

 

[canard]

For those who care more about sound quality and less about frills, consider that additional processing and screen rendering can increase EMI and therefore noise, potentially reducing sound quality.

I vote for no frills and superior sound.

in fact, as soon as the ultra arrived, people were asked to be able to turn it off for these reasons ;-)
especially if it is not really readable in the listening position..
(It is also possible to install a mirror ball and some strobe lights in the living room if you are disappointed by the Wiim VU meters... )

 

[CliffyBC]

I already have a number of govee sound activated lights that cost substantially more than my Ultra in the lounge but I like your suggestion of a mirror ball as I have an old projector hanging around doing nowt. I'm of the age where music and lights always went together, it adds to the experience....