new VU meter and trim plugin: Klanghelm VUMT (Win & Mac 32 & 64 Bit plus standalone)

[tonhelm]

Hi,
today Klanghelm has released its first plugin (and standalone app): VUMT.

www.klanghelm.com






Klanghelm is me, Tony Frenzel from Berlin, Germany
and
VUMT is a recreation of a VU meter and has an additional trim function to make your gain staging life easier.

why is VUMT?
Simply because I needed a decent 64 bit VU meter with trim function to control how much signal is fed into nebula (I almost exclusively use nebula while mixing) or other level sensitive plugins. Since using nebula I've learned how important proper gain staging is. It's already been written so much about that topic. So I leave it at that and move on to introduce you to the plugins.

What you get:

Painstakingly modeled behaviour and recreation of the general ballistics of classic VU meters.
300 ms attack and release times to meet common specs of a standard VU meter
Trim your channel volume +/- 20 dB.
VU reference level switchable
Clip-LED
Comes in four flavors (skins) to be pleasant to look at for (almost) everybody.

TWO PLUGINS INCLUDED
VUMT SOLO:
Single VU meter
Switchable additional needle to watch left and right channel level in one single display
VUMT DUO:
Two VU meter displays to show either left/right of mid/side level information
if switched to MS operation the volume trim knobs control the volume of the mid channel and side channel.
Additional standalone apps (VUMT SOLO & DUO) included (MAC & WIN, 32 & 64 Bit).

VUMT is not free but it's reasonably priced. You'll get both VUMT SOLO & DUO for 5 Euro.

If you have questions, please ask.

Tony

[Mister Fox]

Since PSP Vintage Meter is somewhat dead, and your creation is crossplatform as well, is there maybe a chance in the future to integrate a customisation mode (changing the ballistics, the 0VU reference level, etc) on the backpanel or something?

I ask because sometimes I used PSP's VU for K-System metering as well, on top of using it as quasi PPM if the project needed it.



Else, definitely looking good. Unfortunately no demo and refunds, but definitely reasonable priced and lifetime updates. Will keep an eye on it.

[Jeast]

*Edit: NVM. One day I'll learn to use my eyes...

[Amun Ra]

Could you post a video of how the Vu reacts to musical content? I'd be really interested in buying if I like the response!

Thanx.

[gingataff]

A lot of good meters out these days, this one looks nice and the price is good.
Order placed.

[Ungifted]

curiousity clicked the paypal button ...

[gingataff]

Got it!
Trying it now with iTunes playing through Audio Hijack Pro (not exactly a critical test ).
The M/S feature is nice, I can see that this could be used for more than just metering.

[Jeast]

Originally Posted by gingataff

A lot of good meters out these days, this one looks nice and the price is good.
Order placed.

Great thing about this one is that it's meter+trim in one. And the looks are HOT!

[tonhelm]

Originally Posted by Amun Ra

Could you post a video of how the Vu reacts to musical content? I'd be really interested in buying if I like the response!

Thanx.

Yeah, a video is good idea. I'll do my best. I'll try my best to get it done this week and keep you posted.

[gingataff]

Originally Posted by Jeast

Great thing about this one is that it's meter+trim in one. And the looks are HOT!

Yeah, I'm digging the wood effect GUI at the mo.

[timlloyd]

I could upload a quicktime screen rec if you want?

[tonhelm]

Originally Posted by Mister Fox

is there maybe a chance in the future to integrate a customisation mode (changing the ballistics, the 0VU reference level, etc) on the backpanel or something?

For now there are only 3 reference level presets (the most common ones, i think). And I want to keep it like that for ease of use' sake BUT an additional stepless control of the reference level is indeed something I plan to implement in the near future.

Regarding the change of the ballistics:
the VU meter is based on quite a complex model and has a lot a variables. it's heavily based on the physics of such a device. there's far more to the ballistics than attack and release times. during development I got quite obsessed with the vu meter idea. that's why I tried for instance to recreate the sensitivity, the acceleration and deceleration of the needle. finetuning was quite a cumbersome task. what I'm trying to say is, it's a fragile system and I do have to get my head around it first to provide you with easy and logic controls that are working predictable. I can tell you that I'll sure be considering such an advanced mode or something like that, but it takes some time.

[Mister Fox]

I'll definitely look forward to a reference level shift. This would definitely help a lot in various sitations.


I understand your troubles with the meter ballistics. Though the fallback is not as important to me. The "raise" or "response" (integration) time however is.

Maybe do not create a freely shiftable one, but several presets for the time being: 5ms (AES EBU), 10ms, 50ms, 300ms (standard VU) and 600ms (K-System). Maybe take a look at the competition (zplane, another great Berlin firm) to see what I mean, then take it to the next level a bit later.

Else, 5 Euro are more than fair - though I'm still looking for an affordable, acourate and highly customizable VU. zplane is nice and all, but I can't go higher than 300ms.


If I have some time left at my studio this week, I'll give your creation a spin. It's definitely looking interesting, and it seems to be skinable as well.

[zaphod]

very good

[BodyByStarbucks]

Can you explain how the stand-alone version works? Does the audio need another app or will it connect directly w/ iTunes or QT Player?

thanks

[lematrix]

[Barendse]

Great!

[rhythmtech]

paid for this about 45 mins ago. how long does it normally take to get the link?

[ez135]

Up to 24 hours... And since the dev is in Europe...

[rhythmtech]

Originally Posted by ez135

Up to 24 hours... And since the dev is in Europe...

ahh grand. im europe too btw

[Jeezo]

Nice initiative ....sometime we struggle to get simple things .....i'm too thinking about making custom made plugin for my need ...but time is what i miss ....

+1 on a video.....

to see size , reaction ...ect is there a way to keep it always on top ?

[ez135]

Originally Posted by rhythmtech

ahh grand. im europe too btw

Oops...got read those signatures before posting...

[BodyByStarbucks]

bought it. now waiting on the link

[tonhelm]

Good morning, guys. Thanks for all the kind words. Within the next 3 hours you should all get your download/login details. I just woke up. But after taking my son to the kindergarden I'll be taking care of you. Thanks for your patience. Tony

[BodyByStarbucks]

Tony, Good morning from LA! That's a great reason to wait on this end and do appreciate you sharing that experience!

all the best,
kjb

[Blandry]

I have a feeling these plugs are awesome

[Amun Ra]

Originally Posted by tonhelm

Yeah, a video is good idea. I'll do my best. I'll try my best to get it done this week and keep you posted.

Great. Thank you!

[rhythmtech]

just woke up to find my link waiting for me in my inbox

[guavadude]

Hi Tony
Great job on the meters! I've been missing the analog meters I had at
another studio, but not quite enough to spend $400 on a pair.
This is a much better deal and the ballistics are great.
I sent you an email but thought I'd mention it here as well....
in Logic I'm not able to type in a negative gain amount. I hope this is possible.

I also wish you would add a numerical peak (0db max) readout with hold.
This would let me make sure I haven't missed some stray transient in the track somewhere.

I also wish you could link the gains in the Duo stereo meter. Maybe
you already can but I can't find it.

I highly recommend this and have already started spreading the word!!

[rhythmtech]

Originally Posted by guavadude

I also wish you could link the gains in the Duo stereo meter. Maybe
you already can but I can't find it.

+1 for this