Klanghelm VUMT 2 and VUMT deluxe released

[Aloysius]

I reinstalled v1, which is working fine along with v2.

[tonhelm]

JUCE framework for quite a while now IIRC

Klanghelm's plugins motivated me to try to write a DSP Plugin earlier this year (must be somewhere around March iirc) (some ugly digital distortion effect ) and I used WDL-OL because I read that Tony used it too... (so it can't be thát long ago)

hehe. That's great to hear. WDL-OL is a fantastic starting point to dive into plugin development.
Since MJUC I've switched to JUCE, though, because it includes a lot of non-plugin-related stuff, that make a coder's life easier.

Tony

[tonhelm]

Re. RMS metering:
+1 to what Compyfox said.
There's no real standard for RMS calculation. So it leaves some let's say "creative freedom" to the creators. While The Root Mean Square Math is selfexplanatory, the creation of the needed averaging filter can be done in various ways. Each implementation will probably show the the biggest difference on transient heavy material - drum loops etc. On whole mixes, where loudness measurement makes more sense anyway, the differences between various implementations will be less noticeable. I assume, that all tested meters here are correct. However, I went into the RMS code in VUMT again and found something, that could use some fine-tuning, so I can get the RMS meter closer to what you're already used too or to simply avoid confusion.
I want to release a first update by the end of this week. If it turns out, that a real beta is needed, it'll take a week longer, probably.

Tony

[Compyfox]

Thanks Tony!



BONUS INFO:
VUMT (as well as pretty much every other VU out there with custom integration time and reference level) can be used for the K-System v1 during final mixdown/mastering. You can use the K-System in two flavors with VUMT (works for VUMT1, VUMT2 and VUMT2 Deluxe):

Relative Scale: VU mode, 600ms rise/fall, reference level = K-<value> (K-20, K-14, K-12)
Absolute Scale: RMS mode, AES-17 active, shoot for -20dB RMS, -14dB RMS or -12dB RMS avg

In fact, the RMS realtime values/concept is based upon Dorrough's vision, which in turn was the basis for the K-System v1 meter that we know today (it originally used a Dorrough 40A meter, but with a shifted scale).

See my KVR Marks on that topic as well. I have a post called: "PSP VU meter and Bob Katz K-System setup" from 2006.

[Aloysius]

Might make some good additional preset(s) for Tony to add to VUMT v2.

[Hermetech Mastering]

Ballistics are almost exact with my Crookwood/Sifam VUs, perhaps more accurate than the previous version. I just wish my monitor would do more than 60 FPS for a smoother look! Can I ask what the different refresh rates are in FPS?

Settings are:
Global - Needle Refresh Rate: Lightning
Meter Type: VU
VU Mode: Ideal
Integration MS: 300
Overshoot %: 1

My VUMT Deluxe stereo mastering preset (for use after the limiter with loudish masters, you'll need to change the reference level for other sources/recording/mixing etc.)with these settings is:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<KlanghelmVUMTdeluxe presetname="Hermetech" InstanceLabel="Hermetech Mastering"
Skin="1" MeterType="0" TrimL="0.0" TrimR="0.0" TrimMid="0.0"
TrimSide="0.0" Link="0" Monitor="0" PolarityL="0" PolarityR="0"
MuteL="0" MuteR="0" FilterOn="0" FilterHPFtype="0" FilterHPF="5"
FilterLPFtype="0" FilterLPF="24000" DynEqOn="0" DynEqListen="0"
DynEqType="0" DynEqFreq="2400" DynEqDepth="0" MonoMakerOn="0"
MonoMakerFreq="20" MonoMakerAmountPct="0" ForceMono="0" ShowMeterValues="0"
ShowHoldNeedle="0" ShowChannelTools="0" ShowInstanceLabel="0"
ShowPanel="0" VUcontrast="0" HideAll="0" ShowDualMeters="1" ShowMetersOnly="1"
DisplaySolo="0" DisplayDuo="0" RiseVU="300" FallVU="300" RiseDIN="5"
FallDIN="1800" RiseBBC="10" FallBBC="2800" RiseEBU="10" FallEBU="2800"
RiseNordic="5" FallNordic="2400" RMSplus3="1" RmsWindow="600"
VUmode="2" Overshoot="1.0" LEDpeakLevel="-0.1" LEDclipLevel="-0.01"
LEDclipHoldTime="0.1" LEDclipHoldInf="0" VUholdTime="10.0" VUholdTimeInf="0"
ReadoutHoldTime="10.0" ReadoutHoldTimeInf="0" CalVU="-8.0" CalDIN="-8.0"
CalBBC="-8.0" CalEBU="-8.0" CalNordic="-8.0" Weighting="0"/>

[Shalotta]

Hi, just to make sure, is your preset referenced against the Crookwood VUs ?

Ballistics are almost exact with my Crookwood/Sifam VUs, perhaps more accurate than the previous version. I just wish my monitor would do more than 60 FPS for a smoother look! Can I ask what the different refresh rates are in FPS?

Settings are:
Global - Needle Refresh Rate: Lightning
Meter Type: VU
VU Mode: Ideal
Integration MS: 300
Overshoot %: 1

My VUMT Deluxe stereo mastering preset (for use after the limiter with loudish masters, you'll need to change the reference level for other sources/recording/mixing etc.)with these settings is:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<KlanghelmVUMTdeluxe presetname="Hermetech" InstanceLabel="Hermetech Mastering"
Skin="1" MeterType="0" TrimL="0.0" TrimR="0.0" TrimMid="0.0"
TrimSide="0.0" Link="0" Monitor="0" PolarityL="0" PolarityR="0"
MuteL="0" MuteR="0" FilterOn="0" FilterHPFtype="0" FilterHPF="5"
FilterLPFtype="0" FilterLPF="24000" DynEqOn="0" DynEqListen="0"
DynEqType="0" DynEqFreq="2400" DynEqDepth="0" MonoMakerOn="0"
MonoMakerFreq="20" MonoMakerAmountPct="0" ForceMono="0" ShowMeterValues="0"
ShowHoldNeedle="0" ShowChannelTools="0" ShowInstanceLabel="0"
ShowPanel="0" VUcontrast="0" HideAll="0" ShowDualMeters="1" ShowMetersOnly="1"
DisplaySolo="0" DisplayDuo="0" RiseVU="300" FallVU="300" RiseDIN="5"
FallDIN="1800" RiseBBC="10" FallBBC="2800" RiseEBU="10" FallEBU="2800"
RiseNordic="5" FallNordic="2400" RMSplus3="1" RmsWindow="600"
VUmode="2" Overshoot="1.0" LEDpeakLevel="-0.1" LEDclipLevel="-0.01"
LEDclipHoldTime="0.1" LEDclipHoldInf="0" VUholdTime="10.0" VUholdTimeInf="0"
ReadoutHoldTime="10.0" ReadoutHoldTimeInf="0" CalVU="-8.0" CalDIN="-8.0"
CalBBC="-8.0" CalEBU="-8.0" CalNordic="-8.0" Weighting="0"/>

[Compyfox]

Hi, just to make sure, is your preset referenced against the Crookwood VUs ?

I didn't see any ballistic changes with Hermetech's preset. What I do see is that he uses the following:
- Reference Level: -8dBFS
- VU type: ideal (which is the experimental model)

Refresh Rate is mainly the redraw rate of the needle and should not have any influence on the readout.


So what HM is basically saying, is that VUMT2 comes close (or is better) in behavior than his hardware VU.

[Hermetech Mastering]

Yep, I have VUMT on the bottom of my monitor and the monitor sits on the Crookwood VU, so I can see them both at the same time, with those settings it's very, very close with a wide range of material. The real thing looks much nicer because it's using the refresh rate of my eye/brain interface but VUMT is by far the closest (as was the original version) I have seen in computer land.

I tried all the VUMT modes and settled on the "Ideal" mode because it was much closer to the real thing than either of the others.

I have everything in the studio calibrated to -14dBFS 997Hz sine = 0dB VU = +4dBU and with pink noise that = 77dB SPL in the room. With nice dynamic material that isn't too squashed, floating around 0dBVU sounds just about "right" in the room. Of course for modern stuff I'm switching the Crookwood meter attenuation switch to around -3, -6, or -9 dB VU (corresponding to a VUMT calibration of -11, -8 or -5 dBVU), and reducing the monitor gain to match, so I'm always hearing around 77dB SPL in the room.

[EDIT for pic]

[Shalotta]

Yep, I have VUMT on the bottom of my monitor and the monitor sits on the Crookwood VU, so I can see them both at the same time, with those settings it's very, very close with a wide range of material. The real thing looks much nicer because it's using the refresh rate of my eye/brain interface but VUMT is by far the closest (as was the original version) I have seen in computer land.

I tried all the VUMT modes and settled on the "Ideal" mode because it was much closer to the real thing than either of the others.

I have everything in the studio calibrated to -14dBFS 997Hz sine = 0dB VU = +4dBU and with pink noise that = 77dB SPL in the room. With nice dynamic material that isn't too squashed, floating around 0dBVU sounds just about "right" in the room. Of course for modern stuff I'm switching the Crookwood meter attenuation switch to around -3, -6, or -9 dB VU (corresponding to a VUMT calibration of -11, -8 or -5 dBVU), and reducing the monitor gain to match, so I'm always hearing around 77dB SPL in the room.

Cool, the interesting thing is to have a hw unit reference as an experimental preset and to compare it.
I mean who can say to have a hw vu meter to be in operation at home ...

Btw, I imported the preset into standard which changed parameters as far as present there
and then settled back to mixing reference.
So, standard import works too.

Thanks for sharing !

[Compyfox]

Might make some good additional preset(s) for Tony to add to VUMT v2.

Might find it's way into the maintenance update (just sent in presets)... so please wait for that.



As starting point...

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<KlanghelmVUMT presetname="VU rel. scale/K-System v1 - K-12" GUIsize="3" InstanceLabel="Place instance on Master Bus"
               Skin="0" MeterType="0" TrimL="0.0" TrimR="0.0" TrimMid="0.0"
               TrimSide="0.0" Link="0" ForceMono="0" ShowMeterValues="1" ShowHoldNeedle="0"
               ShowInstanceLabel="1" HideAll="0" ShowDualMeters="1" ShowMetersOnly="0"
               DisplaySolo="0" DisplayDuo="0" RiseVU="600" FallVU="600" RiseDIN="5"
               FallDIN="1800" RMSplus3="1" RmsWindow="600" VUmode="1" Overshoot="1.0"
               LEDpeakLevel="-1.0" LEDclipLevel="-0.50" LEDclipHoldTime="5.0"
               LEDclipHoldInf="0" VUholdTime="5.0" VUholdTimeInf="1" ReadoutHoldTime="5.0"
               ReadoutHoldTimeInf="1" CalVU="-12.0" CalDIN="-18.0"/>

Just change the reference of the VU to either -20, -14 or -12

Resave the preset with the skin of your liking.
Preset works in VUMT2 Standard and VUMT2 Deluxe! (it's not using additional features of Deluxe)

I only used the VU and did not touch the PPM's. I used a Peak Warning of -1dBFS and Clipping Warning of -0,5dBFS on purpose. Certain old DAC's (mainly old CD players) barf if you reach higher than -0,5dBFS. Amber Zone of the K-System is 0VU to +4VU (though +4 is not on the scale anymore) for forte fortissimo passages. Mezzo forte passages should ideally hover around -3VU to 0VU



RMS mode needs no changes in order to use the K-System v1 (time window already is 600ms, see earlier posts and my KVR marks on the history of the RMS and K-System Meter). Important however: AES-17 needs to be activated. Then shoot for -20dB RMS, -14dB RMS or -12dB RMS on average. The "Amber Zone" is then from e.g. -14dB RMS to -10dB RMS.

See my sig for various KVRmarks for further info on the topic.



Before anyone asks:
Measurements according to ITU-R BS.1770-x specs are not possible (needs overhaul of the code, an additional weighting filter, etc).

[Aloysius]

[tonhelm]

Hi all,
I've just released VUMT & VUMT deluxe 2.1.

fixes/changes:

VUMT only:
- FIX: selecting another VU-mode than VUMT1 didn't have any effect

VUMT & VUMT deluxe:
- FIX: meter value readouts hadn't been reset when switching the meter type
- FIX: automation is now writable from the buttons on the GUI too
- FIX: when using Reaper's own preset menu and clicking "Reset to factory default" the default skin hadn't been set correctly
- FIX: when adding user presets, the preset list is being updated upon GUI reopen
- FIX: meter value readouts now return to "-inf." when no signal is passing through
- FIX: Wavelab: some parameters weren't recalled properly
- FIX: proper support for ASIO devices in Windows Standalone version
- CHANGE: when LINK is active, the right trim control now follows the left trim control, so when deactivating LINK again, the right trim control has the same setting as the left trim control
- NEW: green indicators around the L/R Trim knobs, that show the position of the underlying M/S Trim controls, when not at unity
- ensure bit-transparency when the plugin is used as a meter only (i.e. when the trim knobs, channel tools and FX are not in use)
- revised RMS meter:
- redesigned RMS scale for better visual feedback and better readability
- freely select the threshold, where the RMS meter goes into the red
- determine a comfort zone in the RMS meter
- added an integrated peak bargraph meter into the RMS mode
- added K-12, K-14 and K-20 scales
- option to let the RMS behave like an analog RMS meter, taking the properties of the needle into account (similar to the RMS meter behavior in VUMT 2.0, but smoother)
- when the analog option is off, the RMS meter shows the plain calculated RMS value

VUMT deluxe only:
- FIX: DYN EQ: when LISTEN was active, LPF and HPF were mixed up- NEW: added K-weighting filter according to ITU-R BS.1770-1
- NEW: option to monitor the L or R channel either in-place or centered
- improved accuracy of the B-weighting filter in the high frequencies
- set factory default for the DYN EQ AMOUNT to 0
- NEW: HPF and LPF are available as 18dB filters now too

Existing users can grab the update by logging in to their account in the Klanghelm user area.

Tony

[Compyfox]

Thanks for the update, Tony!

Raises the value of this plugin even higher IMO.


[/back to creating presets]

[DarkStar]

Phew