Maintenance release for the loudness meter with auto gain
HoRNet LUMeter MK2: The LU Meter with Automatic Gain Staging
We are excited to announce the release of the latest update for HoRNet LUMeter MK2, the digital loudness meter with auto gain staging functionality and a redesigned resizable GUI. This update offers several enhancements, making the plugin an even more powerful tool for optimizing your mixing and mastering workflow. Whether you are working with gain staging, mixing, or mastering, this update brings precision and consistency to your projects.
The HoRNet LUMeter MK2 is an advanced plugin that measures loudness using Loudness Units (LU), a unit of measurement designed to reflect human sound perception more accurately. Unlike traditional peak meters, which measure absolute volume, LU takes frequency perception into account. As a result, a 1 kHz tone will be perceived as louder than a 100 Hz tone, even if both are at the same decibel level. This makes Loudness Units (LU) a much more reliable standard for measuring sound quality during mixing and mastering.
HoRNet LUMeter MK2 provides three different loudness readings:
Momentary Loudness: This gives a real-time loudness reading, helpful for identifying any sudden peaks or dynamics issues in the music.
Short-Term Loudness: Measures loudness over a shorter period, allowing you to monitor how the mix behaves over smaller sections of time.
Integrated Loudness: This is the overall loudness measure, typically used in mastering and ensuring that your entire project maintains consistent dynamics throughout.
These readings follow the EBU R128 standard, an international loudness reference standard widely used in broadcast and streaming industries, as well as in music production for digital distribution.
One of the most powerful features of HoRNet LUMeter MK2 is its auto gain function. When you set the desired loudness level, the plugin automatically adjusts the gain to maintain the target LU level consistently. This eliminates the need for manual gain adjustments every time you make a change to your mix. The auto gain function allows you to focus on the creative aspects of your work without constantly monitoring and adjusting the levels.
The auto gain also works by summing all channels into a single reading when using the EBU standard method. However, if you need more customization, you can operate separately, using non-standard methods for more granular control over individual channels.
In the context of loudness measurement, signal peaks can be problematic, especially when applying automatic gain. To address this, HoRNet LUMeter MK2 includes peak protection. When peaks exceed a predefined safety level, the plugin automatically adjusts the gain to prevent distortion. This ensures that, even when loudness increases, the signal never exceeds the set limit, maintaining professional-quality sound without clipping or distortion.
The HoRNet LUMeter MK2 comes pre-calibrated to -18 LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale), a commonly used level for mixing and mastering. However, thanks to its flexibility, you can adjust this reference point to target higher or lower levels based on your specific needs. This allows you to tailor the plugin for different standards, whether you are working for broadcast, streaming, or finalizing music productions for other purposes.
If you need to work with a different standard or require specific targets depending on the project, the custom calibration gives you full control, enabling you to achieve the ideal mix without compromising on quality.
The user interface of HoRNet LUMeter MK2 has been completely redesigned to enhance usability and aesthetics. You can now resize the interface as needed, adapting it to your screen and workflow. Whether you are using a laptop or a high-resolution monitor, the new GUI ensures that your view is always optimized for an intuitive experience.
Moreover, the visual display of loudness readings has been enhanced to provide clear and precise visual feedback. The graphical representation of loudness measurements is now more user-friendly and less cluttered. You can now monitor loudness trends easily without distractions, keeping full control of your mix’s dynamics. Additionally, with the resizeable interface, you can expand the plugin’s size, which is especially useful when you want to have a clear and detailed view of your levels while working on large projects or multiple tracks.
The release of version 2.0.2 also includes several performance improvements and bug fixes. Some of the key resolutions include:
Fixed the black window issue in Logic Pro X 10.5.x, improving compatibility with newer versions of the DAW.
Fixed incorrect plugin size when reloading a session with a resized plugin, ensuring consistent display behavior across various projects.
Corrected plugin size on Windows when display scaling is set to 200%, ensuring proper visibility on high-DPI screens.
These improvements ensure that HoRNet LUMeter MK2 works flawlessly on both macOS and Windows, enhancing the reliability of the plugin even in more complex projects.
Whether you are working on a small project or a large-scale production, HoRNet LUMeter MK2 offers the versatility needed to meet the loudness requirements of any production environment. The auto gain feature ensures consistent levels without needing constant attention, while the flexible calibration options make it adaptable to any specific standard or target.
For streaming platforms, broadcast standards, or personalized levels, HoRNet LUMeter MK2 can be fine-tuned to meet your desired loudness values with high precision. This makes it a critical tool for anyone looking to deliver professional-quality audio with consistent dynamics.
If you are already a user of HoRNet LUMeter MK2, you can download the latest version for free from your user area on our website. Simply log into your account to access the update and enjoy all the new features, fixes, and improvements. If you haven’t updated yet, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the new options that streamline mixing, mastering, and loudness management. With the automatic gain staging and peak protection in place, this tool will drastically improve your workflow and the consistency of your mixes.
