Precise metering (peak, hold, EBU, LRA) MS en-/decoder; trim, fader and mute function; stereo/mono switch; analyse peak & EBU R128 levels via drag and drop of audio files; innovative panorama function: this panner can be used to achieve “extra width” scaleable plugin window size; tooltipps and manual; works latency-free and with all common.
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As I cover in my new course Mastering in the Box, there are some incredible plugins available for anyone interested in computer-based mastering. Although nothing can replace an experienced engineer, working in an expertly designed room, on high-end equipment, there are some fantastic free tools available online that will aid engineers working on projects with limited budgets.
Here are some completely free plugins that you can work into your in the box mastering workflow …
1. Voxengo SPAN
As I cover in the course, Metering is absolutely essential to mastering, and SPAN is a versatile and free utility plugin.
It provides spectral analysis, correlation metering and clipping detection, as well as displaying RMS and max crest factor. The interface is simple, clear, and even somewhat customizable. It’s a truly deep, accurate and useful metering plugin, which is refreshing considering that it’s free. It’s also compatible with virtually every DAW.
2. LoudMax by Thomas Mundt
Described as “a look-ahead brickwall loudness maximizer plugin with a clean transparent sound, designed to retain the original character of the music as much as possible even at high compression levels,” LoudMax is a wonderfully simply tool. It has two sliders: threshold and output — and that’s all it needs.
If you’re interested in learning how a limiter works and affects your material, LoudMax boils the concept down to its most basic elements, all while providing a mostly transparent sound.
3. Limiter №6 by Vladg Sound
This is a more complex and versatile take on limiting. It offers more control than LoudMax, which can be helpful if your program material requires detailed tweaking.
Its five modules include: RMS compressor, peak limiter, high-frequency limiter, clipper, and true peak limiter.
Each of these modules have extremely flexible controls. There are some expensive and well-known limiter plugins that don’t come with features like mid-side processing, oversampling and true peak detection. The fact that these features come included with Limiter №6 makes it even more special.
4. mvMeter from TBProAudio
I’m still pretty shocked that this plugin is free. It looks great, it’s easy to use, and it’s deeper than some metering tools that cost hundreds of dollars more. It allows you to measure PEAK, RMS, EBU R128, VU and PPM. Additionally, it has multi-channel metering so you can see what’s happening on the stereo, left, right, mid, or side channels.
The five different themes allow the user to change the look to various classic VU and PPM Meters, which is a nice touch. (It doesn’t improve the sound quality — I prefer the sleek look of the retro skin.)
5. Stereo Tool v3 by Flux
Some mixes require a bit of balancing the information spread between the channels, and Stereo Tool v3 is prefect for this application. It includes panning controls for the left and right channels, a vector scope display, global stereo width and pan controls, PPM Input and Output meters, a phase correlation meter, and a variety of other useful features.
If the content you’ve been delivered has balance and phase issues, this is an excellent free plugin.
6. Voxengo Marvel GEQ
Being able to sculpt your signal using an equalizer is essential for a mastering engineer. This linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer is impressive in both functionality and sound.
I’m not sure why every plugin doesn’t have an “undo/redo” function, because after using this equalizer, I find it to be quite helpful. Being able to work in mid-side mode allows the user to treat information in the center separately from the sides, which, when used properly, can result in a much clearer stereo spread, and a more defined space amongst individual elements.
As with each of the great tools on this list, it’s surprising that such a useful tool is free.
I generally believe that in audio, you get what you pay for, but each of the aforementioned plugins are exceptions to this rule.
Mastering in the Box Course
If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge and learning effective techniques for getting great sounding masters 100% in the box, check out my debut course: Mastering in the Box
Mastering in the Box with Ian Vargo
As I cover in my new course Mastering in the Box, there are some incredible plugins available for anyone interested in computer-based mastering. Although nothing can replace an experienced engineer, working in an expertly designed room, on high-end equipment, there are some fantastic free tools avai
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Youlean Loudness Meter helps you find the true perceived loudness of your audio and prepares it for TV or streaming services release.
Join the thousands of recording studios that already use it.
DAW plugin and app
Works in almost any DAW: FL Studio, Logic Pro X, Final Cut Pro X, Ableton Live, Reaper, Cubase, Pro Tools…Available as application, VST2, VST3, AU and AAX plugin formats, Windows and macOS operating systems.
Measure loudness
Helps you comply with strict loudness requirements for the Film and TV industry.
Helps you get the correct loudness levels for upload to Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Apple Podcast, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, Netflix, HBO, and Disney+.
Ebu R128 Plugin
Measure dynamics
Prevent your mix sounding crushed and unprofessional.Get the most out of your mix, make any track sound great on all streaming platforms!
Youlean Loudness Meter was the winner of KVR Developer Challenge 2016.As one of the prizes, the plugin was presented on NAMM Show 2017 in Los Angeles.
Youlean (Julijan Nikolic) is also part of the FL Studio alpha team, and many of his work like Patcher presets and ZGameEditor Visualizer effects are already part of FL Studio.
“Once I learned about loudness metering using LUFS, I was really fascinated. The problem was that the plugins for measuring it were (and still are) really expensive and there were no free ones that can get you started.So, I have decided to create a free loudness meter that will be even better than the most expensive ones.”
Julijan Nikolic – Youlean
*Youlean Loudness Meter presentation at NAMM 2017, Los Angeles
Make sure to sound great on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Apple Podcast, Tidal, Deezer, Netflix, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Music, HBO, Disney+, or when streaming by using AES, or EBU R128 S2 loudness preset.
GUI too small or too large?No problem, freely resize or scale the plugin!
Experience insane plugin size customization.
If you find graphs too distracting you can always switch to mini mode.Fit precisely for your workflow.
Inspect what exactly is going on with the audio dynamics.Using the dynamic range algorithm you can detect squashed or not correctly compressed mix.
Get a quick and complete analysis by dropping an audio or video file on the plugin.Get results in just a few seconds!
In combination with system time coding, pinpoint the loudness problems in live events, or just make a wall poster of your favorite song!
The plugin is calibrated and tested against ITU-R BS2217 testing materials.It satisfies all requirements defined in ITU-R BS.1770 document.
LUFS
This measurement is basically like RMS but with a twist. It takes into account how humans perceive loudness and it is currently the most accurate way of measuring loudness. The main difference compared to RMS is that LUFS uses filters to shape the sound before processing in a similar way to how we hear the sound.
LRA
This measurement will give you an idea of the difference in volume between the verse, chorus and other sections of your track. If there is a big difference in loudness between the various sections of your track then your loudness range will be a higher number and vice verse.
DR
Dynamic range metering will show you the levels of the compression in audio. The algorithm is based on a difference between true peak and short term loudness. The current implementation is improved version of the “PSR” algorithm which has problems measuring dynamics in audio that has fast changing quiet and loud sections.
TP
Knowing the true peak value is really important since it indicates the true maximum level of audio after conversion to analog or different digital form such as conversion from WAV to MP3. If your audio goes above 0dB TP you might get clipping in converted audio.
Every PRO User gets lifetime FREE updates!As new upgrades roll on, plugin price might jump accordingly, so why not take advantage of lifetime FREE updates right now…
“I love audio software, and there are some really cool companies and really cool plugins, but man, there is no worse feeling in the world when you need to PAY for the bugfixes i.e. updates. I really hate that, and I really hate that this is the way most of the audio companies do the business.This is not how I want to sell the software and that’s why I guarantee the lifetime free updates.”
Ebu R128 Plugin
Julijan Nikolic – Youlean
- Film, TV and Gaming presets
- LU, INT, TP, LRA, PLR, DR readouts
- Resizing, scaling GUI
Mini view - Custom true peak alert threshold
- True peak and loudness graph
- Loudness distribution graph
- Automatic loudness overdub
- Mono, Stereo, and 5.1 channel
- Low CPU consumption
- Never expires
- Everything in FREE, plus
- Streaming presets
- Dynamics graph
- PDF, PNG or SVG export
- Saving custom presets
- Text scaling
- Dark and light theme support
- A/B save states
- Drag & drop analysis
- Lifetime FREE updates
- 30 days money back guarantee
Let us explain, in more detail, all the benefits you get after upgrading to PRO version of Youlean Loudness Meter.
Hessischer Rundfunk broadcast stations in Germany use Youlean Loudness Meter.
Educational institutions that use Youlean Loudness Meter in their educational courses.
Can I install Youlean Loudness Meter on multiple computers?
Ebu R128 Specs
This option is not applicable to companies, organizations or schools, they need to purchase a multiple license version.
Can plugin alter the audio so that it fits the selected standard?
Ebu R128 Loudness Normalization
No, currently the plugin is only doing the analysis, and it can not alter the audio loudness.This feature might be added in the future though.
Yes, if you are a student or a teacher you can qualify for an educational discount of 30%. You need to contact me before the purchase.Contact me HERE.