Which meter would you monitor for real-time input levels on a path?

Monitoring real-time input levels on a path is best accomplished with a VU Direct meter. This type of meter provides immediate visual feedback on the audio levels being processed in real time, allowing operators to make quick adjustments as necessary to maintain optimal sound quality. VU meters are specifically designed to represent the average level of a signal over time, making them ideal for monitoring the audio path during production or broadcasting.

The other options do serve important functions in a production environment, but they do not focus specifically on providing real-time level monitoring. Program meters are typically used to display levels for an entire broadcast signal rather than individual input paths. Bus to VU may have some relevance in measuring levels, but it would not give the direct, real-time feedback of input levels like VU Direct. The control room play serves a different purpose in the overall process, focusing more on the output and playback of pre-recorded or live content rather than real-time input levels.