HoRNet VU Meter MK4 4.2.2 update

We have just updated VUMeter MK4, the VU Meter with automatic gain staging.

The HoRNet VUMeter MK4 is a digital VU meter plugin that offers automatic gain setting and grouping functions. VUMeter MK4 allows you to name your tracks and groups. You can send every parameter change to any instance of VU Meter MK4, not just the ones in the same group. Additionally, you can display the level of any other instance in the project without closing the GUI or choosing a new track.

VUMeter MK4 helps during both the recording and mixing stages. When recording your tracks, you can use a loudness indicator like the VU meter to get a clear view of the perceived loudness of your signal. With its 300ms integration time, the VU meter provides a helpful measurement of your signal’s loudness. You can combine it with peak meters to improve your miking technique. It’s always desirable to keep the loudness and peak value as close as possible.

VU Meter MK4 includes a calibration setting that lets you set the 0VU point to the optimal level for your A/D converters. By default, the calibration is set to -18dBFS. However, you should consult the specifications of your A/D converter and adjust the calibration to match the specified internal headroom. This calibration is crucial because every A/D converter has an analog front-end. If you record too hot, close to 0dBFS, you risk overloading that analog stage.

In the mixing stage, the VU Meter plugin becomes even more useful. You can use it alongside the peak meter in your DAW to identify critical tracks. These are tracks that have too much energy in the transients and not enough loudness.

However, the most valuable feature of VU Meter MK4 is the auto gain. Gain staging plays a crucial role in every mix. This is especially important if you use analog-emulating plugins. If you hit them with too much gain, you can create excessive distortion. This distortion can add up and negatively affect the overall mix.

To prevent this, simply engage the automatic gain function of VU Meter MK4. This feature adjusts the internal gain to ensure your signal peaks at your desired level. You can set this level between -3 and +3 VU.

With transient-heavy sounds, auto gain might boost your tracks too much and cause clipping. To avoid this, we’ve included a max peak ceiling. This ceiling stops your signal from exceeding the set value.

The grouping function allows you to group instances of VU meters together. For example, you can group all your drum tracks. Then, you can apply auto gain, reference, and color settings to every instance in the group with just one click. You can choose the “Send to all” option for any parameter. This allows you to quickly copy that value to every other VU Meter MK4 in your project, even if they don’t belong to the same group.