Features

VU Meters

TriMeter’s two VU displays, carefully modeled to match the specification and performance of

Trident’s legendary analog console meters, provide an essential function often overlooked in the

world of digital audio. Unlike the peak metering commonly found within DAW environments, VU

meters react similarly to the human ear, eEectively “averaging” or “smoothing” shorter

instantaneous peaks or transients for a more natural response. Referencing VU meters within

digital applications can often lead to clearer mixes and more natural sounding audio production.

With the ability to engage a 0 VU calibration of -18 dBFS at the touch of a button, TriMeter also

assists in achieving optimal gain structures and adequate headroom during recording.

PPM Meters

While VU metering offers many benefits such as those listed above, PPM or Peak Program

Metering can often provide a clearer indication of more rapid level changes and problematic spikes.

Not to to be confused with the peak metering capabilities of a DAW, PPM meters can and will still

mask the briefest of spikes or transients, instead offering a somewhat complimentary reference to

that of VU. TriMeter’s dual PPM implementations, located directly underneath each VU meter,

perform similarly to those found in classic Trident analog consoles, while additionally offering a

hybrid “clip hold” or over-level indicator for signals exceeding the equivalent of 0 dBFS.

LUFS Meter (Integrated)

LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is the most modern method – and the industry standard – for

measuring and specifying loudness. While legacy metering such as VU and PPM still forms an

essential part of producing great sounding mixes and audio projects within digital environments,

the majority of broadcast and online streaming content platforms specify a “target” LUFS value,

which can vary greatly between organizations. Online creators, such as podcasters or content

producers for streaming applications, are increasingly tasked with meeting such targets. Unlike

other providers of LUFS measurement software applications and plugins, who often develop

complex (and often extremely expensive) solutions to highly specialized industry users, TriMeter’s

unique LUFS display implementation – while engineered to the exacting specifications of the

standard – offers a simple and visually intuitive method for monitoring integrated LUFS throughout a

program, performance, or project of any duration.

Linear Output Gain Control

Located in the center of the TriMeter graphical interface is a rotary output gain control. With +/- 18

dB of linear gain adjustment, channel gain can be decreased or increased to meet any number of

requirements, without adding any coloration, non-linear distortion, or “box sound” to the audio

itself.

Mono Summing

Summing two channels of (stereo) audio to mono is a technique often used within audio

engineering, mixing, and production. For example, it can be an effective way of subjectively

assessing the balance of left and right panned tracks and content within a stereo mix or project.

TriMeter offers a convenient one-button sum toggle function, when two input channels are being

processed.

Polarity Toggle

TriMeter offers a one-button polarity toggle function, often extremely useful for diagnosing and

correcting audible phase issues resulting from microphone placement or cabling errors.

Example Applications

• Add TriMeter to any track for Trident console-modeled VU and PPM metering

• Add TriMeter to a stereo bus/master, using LUFS integrating measurement to assess

loudness targets for music production, podcasts, and streaming content

• Activate high headroom VU monitoring (-18 dBFS) when tracking to assist with obtaining a

well-balanced, distortion-free mix

• Add TriMeter to any stereo track and toggle the Mono Sum mode to assist with balancing

individual elements or pans within a mix

• Add TriMeter to any stereo or mono track to make simple tweaks to gain or invert polarity

• Map parameters to a control surface for quick and easy operation

home page: https://tridentaudiodevelopments.com/product/trimeter-plugin/