HoRNet ELM128 MK2

ELM128 MK2 2.2.2 is available, this update is free for owners of our LUFs meter plugin and includes:

• Fixed scale not being kept when window was closed and re opened
• Fixed volume ramp even if normalization is turned off
• Added Apple Silicon support to AAX

EBU R128 Loudness Meter, now improved.

HoRNet ELM128 MK2: Advanced LUFS Metering Plugin Compliant with EBU R128

The HoRNet ELM128 MK2 is a sophisticated LUFS meter plugin designed specifically to meet the requirements of the EBU R128 loudness standard. This advanced audio metering tool provides a comprehensive solution for analyzing and controlling the loudness of audio signals in real-time. Its primary purpose is to ensure consistent perceived loudness across different audio programs, a key requirement in the broadcasting and media production industries.

At its core, the plugin offers five distinct loudness measurements: Momentary, Short-Term, Integrated, Loudness Range, and True Peak. These five metering modes allow users to monitor every aspect of their audio’s loudness profile with great precision. Whether you’re mixing for television, film, radio, or streaming platforms, the ELM128 MK2 gives you the tools to make sure your audio complies with modern loudness standards.

One of the major strengths of this plugin is its flexibility. The ELM128 MK2 supports a wide range of channel configurations, including mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround sound. This makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of audio applications, from simple podcast editing to complex surround sound film mixing. In addition to its metering capabilities, the plugin features a history graph, which visually displays loudness trends over time. This graph can show data from up to 12 hours in the past, giving sound engineers the ability to track long sessions and make informed decisions based on historical loudness behavior.

The plugin’s design is rooted in the principles of broadcasting. In professional broadcast environments, it is essential to minimize loudness jumps between different segments of audio, such as TV programs, commercials, or live broadcasts. The HoRNet ELM128 MK2 was created to tackle exactly this problem. It includes a real-time normalization function, which can automatically adjust the gain of the incoming signal so that it does not exceed a predefined loudness reference level. Users can choose which loudness measurement to use as the reference — Momentary, Short-Term, or Integrated — in accordance with the EBU R128 guidelines.

The unit of measurement used by the plugin is LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale), a metric adopted by the audio industry for measuring loudness in a way that aligns with human hearing. While a LUFS is numerically similar to a decibel (dB), the two differ because LUFS calculations include a pre-emphasis filter. This filter compensates for the non-linear sensitivity of the human ear, ensuring that loudness measurements reflect how we actually perceive audio. This makes LUFS readings more accurate for judging perceived volume than traditional dB measurements.

Let’s take a closer look at the five metering modes provided by the HoRNet ELM128 MK2:

• Momentary: This meter shows the loudness level over the last 400 milliseconds. It provides a rapid response and is ideal for catching quick loudness peaks or drops in dynamic content like dialogue or sound effects.

• Short-Term: This mode measures loudness over the past 3 seconds, offering a more averaged perspective than Momentary. It is particularly useful for assessing sections of music or speech to ensure they are within acceptable loudness limits.

• Integrated: This is the most comprehensive loudness measurement, showing the average loudness from the beginning of playback (or since the last reset). However, it smartly excludes long periods of silence or extreme peaks, as these can distort the overall loudness picture. This is the key measurement for final compliance with broadcast standards, especially in long-form content like films and TV shows.

• Loudness Range (LRA): This meter displays the range between the softest and loudest parts of your audio, measured in LU (Loudness Units). A high LRA might indicate excessive dynamics, while a low LRA may suggest the audio is too compressed.

• True Peak: Unlike standard peak meters, True Peak metering in ELM128 MK2 uses 4x oversampling (when the sample rate is below 192kHz) to accurately detect inter-sample peaks. These are peaks that occur between digital samples and can cause clipping in analog systems or lower-quality playback devices. True Peak metering ensures your audio remains clean and undistorted after export or broadcast.

Thanks to its intuitive interface and powerful features, the HoRNet ELM128 MK2 is an indispensable tool for audio professionals. Whether you’re mixing a podcast, mastering a music album, or preparing audio for broadcast, this plugin helps ensure your output is consistent, compliant, and pleasant to listen to. Its support for real-time normalization, multi-channel metering, and detailed loudness analysis puts it ahead of many other loudness metering solutions on the market.

In summary, if you’re looking for a professional-grade loudness meter that adheres strictly to the EBU R128 standard, offers reliable and customizable normalization, and provides deep insight into your audio’s dynamics, the HoRNet ELM128 MK2 is a top-tier choice.