Voxengo SPAN VST 1.8 released

[boin]

Thanks for continuing interest.

I'm not implementing bargraph spectrums because they can't be used for multi-channel spectrum overlaying (they get messy). However, I'll think about adding bar-graphs as an option (for single-spectrum views only, of course). VU-meters are also planned for implementation - in the same 4-level look as in Marquis.

BTW, do anyone find 4-level meters useful? I've just have not received even a single feedback on those meters while they are pretty 'new' on pro audio scene as far as I know.

Maybe I wasn't clear but that is what I meant by "colored bar graphs":



I was referring to the level meter only and not to the spectrum analyzer (only use Span for that). *If* Span had such a level meter calibrated for the K-system (K-20, K-14 and K-12) it would be perfect for my use!

[DuX]

Moreover, it would be perfect for everybody's use! . Yep, that's the nicest meter on PC I've ever seen, and most handy. However, I'd be satisfied even with a small "Marquis-ish" VU-Meter in two colours showing peak and average K-RMS [20,14,12] values and nothing else .

[djsubject]

is the K-system a free licence?

IE; could it be added to a free vst without the dev having to pay out of his own pockit?

Subz

[Hunter]

yay!

[DuX]

Yep, K-system is just a standard, like Meter or a Kilo, or dB .

[Aleksey Vaneev]

boin, I understand standard meters.. In my question I was referring to 4-level meters implemented in Marquis Compressor.

[boin]

boin, I understand standard meters..

I'm sure you do . I was just expressing my wishes about SPAN...

[Paulie Phonick]

Any chance for a phase scope in SPAN or a separate twin-brother plug (PHAN)? Having a phase scope that would paint using your 4-level meter reads would be great.

Any chance for an answer, Aleksey?

( I'm starting to feel invisible )

[Aleksey Vaneev]

Any chance for a phase scope in SPAN or a separate twin-brother plug (PHAN)? Having a phase scope that would paint using your 4-level meter reads would be great.

Any chance for an answer, Aleksey?

I do have plans to add phase scope to SPAN as well, but I'm not fully sure.

[kylen]

Thanks for the update Aleksey! I always use an instance of SPAN monitoring the audio stream in & out of the DAW (via standalone Chainer) to help set the freq/rms balances correctly when remastering a compilation.

Also I use one other plugin in Chainer to get a fairly accurate view (?) of the peak levels to assure the rms-to-peak crest is how I like it. Unfortunately that plugin has been sold to Roger Nichols and I am really not following it over there. I want to see my peaks barely touch max (-0.3dbfs) every few seconds or so during the loud parts of the song while at the same time maintaing the K-12 or K-14 loudness levels. I guess it would be pretty nice if SPAN showed that - an adjustable averaging peak value along with a peak hold that could also be adjusted to "release". Otherwise I have to hook up the DEQ2496 again just for the peak metering! Don't make me do that - haha...

Anyway - thanks again for the update!

[G-Ro124]

pardon me for my ignorance, but what are the 4 level meters??

Also, is there any way to make SPAN more CPU efficient?? My CPU usage goes up to 15% when SPAN is running

[Aleksey Vaneev]

kylen, I'll try to implement metering in the most convenient way possible. I'm finishing 'core' development soon and hopefully I can get to actual plug-ins then.

G-Ro124, 4-level meters are available in Marquis Compressor - check them out if you are interested.

It is strange to read SPAN is so CPU-heavy... Does it show high CPU load even with its user interface closed?

[fgimian]

hey guys, hi Aleksey...

I own InspectorXL too and would love to switch to SPAN ... the features that I really need are...

- A phase scope
- A level meter, that covers K system also, I realise that this is a numerical average, however, the way the EA plugin implements it, you can visually see the average level of your audio and if you are over the average of that particular K system.

I'm sorry to say that I haven't REALLY examined the system used in Marquis but it is very pretty

- Linear mode on the spectrum analyser (currently only Log mode). Linear mode is EXTREMELY useful for examining the high frequency range. Wavelab and EA meters have this feature and I think it is very very useful.

I just can't wait to see what you have in store for us with your core development !!! If you need any beta testing, let me know.

Cheers
Fots

[DuX]

I investigated in Marquis manual what this 4 level meter is and found out it consists of 4 level meters with 1000,100,10 and 1ms average integration time. I'm sure Aleksey has profoundly investigated how to implement it, but I'd suggest these standard values that's been in use for many years and decades in broadcast and production of audio. Please, don't feel offended Aleksey, the idea you've implemented is brilliant and there are very "pro" hardware VU-meters on the market which show audio levels this way, although in different colours, not just green and in standard values like:
1) digital peak meter - very short AI time [1ms?].
2) 300ms AIT - usual VU-meter AIT. Average RMS value.
3) 600ms AIT - K system. Average RMS value.
4) can't think of what the 4th would be, but it can be something shorter than 300ms and longer then digital peak meter's AIT [10,50 or even 100ms?]. This can be peak RMS value.

Take a look at these for inspiration [and of course EA Inspector XL].

http://www.sonoris.nl/nl/smtr.php
http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com/ppm.php

Cheers!

[Aleksey Vaneev]

soundpalace, phase scope and level meters are on my todo list - many people have requested these features so far for SPAN. Linear mode is unfortunately an offspring of Fast Fourier transform. Classis spectrum analyzers never offered it because it is hardly practical.

DuX, I think you are referring to 'single integrator' meters. 4-level meter is a different story. By looking at such meter you can pretty easily understand what level could be on the meter if you've used 300 ms or 600 ms integration time, for example. So, there is no ground in following those 300/600 ms standards, because with 4-level meters you see far more than that.