MeterPlugs K-Meter is a versatile metering plugin designed to help audio professionals achieve optimal loudness and dynamic range in their mixes and masters. Based on Bob Katz’s K-System metering standard, this plugin offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring audio levels across various genres and delivery formats. The K-Meter plugin provides three different scales (K-20, K-14, and K-12) to accommodate different production needs, from film and classical music to pop and broadcast applications. With its clean and intuitive interface, the K-Meter plugin displays both average and peak levels, allowing users to make informed decisions about their audio’s dynamic range and overall loudness. The plugin also includes true-peak metering, which helps detect inter-sample peaks that traditional sample-peak meters might miss. Additionally, K-Meter incorporates ITU BS.1770 loudness metering for stereo signals, providing users with a cost-effective way to measure perceived loudness according to international standards.
Pros:
• Implements the K-System metering standard accurately, promoting better dynamic range in mixes
• Offers true-peak metering to detect inter-sample peaks
• Includes ITU BS.1770 loudness metering for stereo signals
• Provides a cost-effective solution for professional-grade metering
• Features an intuitive, visually appealing interface with color-coded meter scales
Cons:
• Limited to stereo signals for loudness metering (no surround sound support)
• Lacks some advanced features found in more expensive loudness metering plugins
The K-Meter plugin boasts a range of features designed to enhance the mixing and mastering process. At its core are the three K-System scales: K-20, K-14, and K-12. These scales correspond to different headroom margins, allowing users to tailor their metering approach to specific genres or delivery formats. The K-20 scale, with its 20dB headroom, is ideal for classical music and film soundtracks, where preserving dynamic range is crucial. The K-14 scale, offering 14dB of headroom, is well-suited for pop, rock, and country music production. The K-12 scale, with 12dB of headroom, caters to broadcast applications where more compression is expected.
The plugin’s interface displays two pairs of horizontal bar-graph meters, showing averaged levels on the upper meter and peak levels on the lower meter. The meter ballistics are smooth and easy to read, with peak-hold options available for both the bar-graph and numerical displays. Color-coding on the meter scales aids in quick visual assessment: green indicates levels below the reference level, yellow shows a 4dB band above the reference level, red signifies levels approaching the clipping point, and a blue section above that reveals inter-sample peaks.
True-peak metering is a standout feature of the K-Meter plugin. By upsampling the audio up to four times before peak detection, it can identify potential clipping that might occur during digital-to-analog conversion, even if the peaks aren’t visible in the digital waveform. This capability is particularly valuable for mastering engineers who need to ensure their audio will translate well across various playback systems.
The inclusion of ITU BS.1770 loudness metering for stereo signals is another significant feature. This international standard for measuring perceived loudness takes into account the ear’s sensitivity to different frequencies, providing a more accurate representation of how loud the audio will sound to listeners. While not a fully-fledged loudness meter, this feature offers users a way to check their mixes against modern loudness standards without investing in a separate, more expensive plugin.
K-Meter also includes a pink noise generator for monitor calibration. This tool outputs pink noise through each channel, allowing users to calibrate their studio monitors to the recommended 83dB SPL listening level using a separate sound pressure level meter. Proper monitor calibration is essential for making accurate mixing decisions and fully leveraging the benefits of the K-System metering approach.
When compared to similar plugins, the MeterPlugs K-Meter stands out for its focused implementation of the K-System standard and its attractive price point. While more expensive options like iZotope Insight or Nugen VisLM offer more comprehensive loudness metering features and support for surround sound formats, K-Meter provides an accessible entry point for those primarily working in stereo. It offers more functionality than basic peak meters found in most DAWs, bridging the gap between simple level monitoring and full-fledged loudness analysis tools. Compared to free options like Voxengo SPAN, which also includes K-System metering, the MeterPlugs K-Meter offers a more streamlined, purpose-built interface focused solely on level and loudness metering. This dedicated approach can be beneficial for users who want a clear, uncluttered metering solution without the distraction of additional spectral analysis tools.
This plugin is best for:
• Mix engineers looking to achieve better dynamic range in their productions
• Mastering engineers needing accurate peak and loudness metering
• Producers working across multiple genres who require flexible metering options
• Audio professionals seeking an affordable entry point into K-System metering
• Anyone looking to calibrate their monitoring system for more accurate mixing decisions
MeterPlugs K-Meter plugin offers a well-designed, focused implementation of Bob Katz’s K-System metering standard. Its combination of accurate level metering, true-peak detection, and basic loudness measurement provides users with a powerful tool for creating more dynamic, better-balanced mixes and masters. The plugin’s intuitive interface and color-coded scales make it easy to assess audio levels at a glance, while the inclusion of monitor calibration tools encourages a more standardized approach to mixing and mastering. While it may lack some of the advanced features found in more expensive loudness metering solutions, the K-Meter plugin strikes an excellent balance between functionality and affordability. Its ability to adapt to different genres and production styles through its three K-System scales makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of audio professionals. For those looking to move beyond basic peak metering and embrace a more nuanced approach to level management, the MeterPlugs K-Meter plugin represents a valuable addition to any audio toolkit.