Two great free plugins from Vladgsound.

http://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/
 
These two plugins have great potential. The are pretty complex, but I think you'll find their worth (with a little bit of manual reading). The Limiter no. 6 is very transparent while the Molot compressor adds a fair amount of color.

Has no one tried these yet? Your missing out in my opinion.

Too busy tracking with other new plugs but plan on trying it out at some point.

Tried molot a while back. To me, the GUI is a little bit confusing. I was never sure when the limiter was on or off. I was too lazy to RTFM to figure it out....... I have DL'd Limiter6 but haven't messed with it yet. from all the glowing reviews I've seen, I have high hopes for it.

Have not even downloaded them. Hence I have not tried them.

Yet.

I had chance to try Limiter no. 6 on a few projects today. Very useful limiter, tried it on the drum buss instead of Pro-L & was surprised that I could push it harder & was more transparent. Prefer using my own comps pre but the other stages work very well.
No problems to report using X1x64 (so far) 

No. 6 is an excellent limiter, although the UI is busier and more intimidating than any other limiter you've ever seen.

It's really five processors in series. The first stage is a slow compressor, followed by a conventional peak limiter. After that is something called a "HF Limiter", which is apparently a limiter with a HPF on the sidechain so that it only responds to high frequencies (> 11KHz). That feeds into a soft clipper. The final stage is a brickwall limiter that purports to address intersample peaks.

The whole design is clearly geared toward extreme volume maximization. I'd expect it to be popular among the EDM set (although those folks usually don't like so many knobs). For my own genre, which uses far more conservative limiting, I felt like it was more work than it was worth.

But if you had no other limiter, had no money to spend, and are the type who really takes the time to learn their tools well, then No. 6 might just be the ticket.

I'm liking Limiter No.6 more and more. I just finished a test with 6 songs were I used the Pro channel eq, Sonitus comp and Limiter No.6 to master. I don't have an audio editor so I created a new project and imported the wav files of each song (using tracks 1 through 6). I did my best with the Sonar meters to get a equal peak/ RMS level ( does anyone know of a better way to view the RMS levels?). I created a patch for the eq in pro channel and used the same one on each song ( each track), then inserted Sonitus and Limiter No. 6. I'm actually surprised with how well this worked. I used the Limiter No.6 to basically reduce gain by 1 db on all 5 of it's processors with the peaks set to zero. Nice loud, transparent, and level sounding group of 6. I can share detailed settings if anyone is interested.

Here's a few to check out:
http://code.mzuther.de/kmeter/
http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/
http://dynamicrange.de/es/es/download#menu1
http://www.toneboosters.com/tb-ebuloudness/

Voxengo SPAN

I have tried a lot of meters but this is the one I use day-to-day. It's not going to give you detailed amplitude statistics - I use Adobe Audition for in-depth analyses when necessary - but once you've established your own methodology, a simple K-meter is all you need.

If you want to compare all your songs at once (along with any reference recordings) with a single tool, Toscanalyzer is very cool.

I did use the Toneboosters Ebuloudness plugin, but I guess I don't know what I'm doing. I tried to match the integrated loudness on each song, which was around -10. I don't understand the K meter thing at all...which one is average RMS? All of them? Which should I use K12, K14? I ended up using the integrated loudness along with switching the Sonar meters to RMS only on playback, and then used my ears for final adjustments. I'll try the Voxengo plug, but I would really appreciate a little help understanding this better. Thanks, (and please play with that Limiter 6 plug some, I think you'll all like it, if you use guitars, bass and drums in your music).

Ok I think I'm getting it now. Lu k14 seems to work best for me with Toneboosters. Barricade has the K meters too. I'll google some more.

I'm trying No. 6 on a project and finding it has some interesting stuff going on. Working with a very pulsing bass track and I'm able to ramp up the limiter and get it pumping in time with the track. I find the pointer knobs a bit clunky and mostly ignore the meters. I thinks it's a cool alternative to similar gear. Thanks for building it guys.

Beware of trying to match average RMS as a way to make all your songs sound equally loud, because it will only get you into the ballpark. A recording with good song dynamics could vary by as much as -24db to -8db average RMS.

The K-system, in a nutshell, is a way to correlate average RMS to what you hear out of your speakers. It requires you to calibrate your monitors so that you're monitoring consistently. Bob Katz's website has more information, or better yet pick up his classic book "Mastering Audio".

If you settle on K-14 as your standard (a good choice), put SPAN into mastering mode ("Mode" button, upper-right) and select the K-14 meter scale ("Metering" button, beneath the display).

As you play back your song, watch the meter readings (which will bounce around, that's a good thing!). You want the bulk of your song to bounce around the 0db mark, usually going no more than 3-4db above it in the louder passages. I never let it go above +6db, and then only briefly. 

I'd recommend importing some of your favorite commercial recordings into SONAR so you can observe what SPAN does while they're playing. 

Thanks Bitflipper! Good tips, and I'll try them all. Last night I had a few minutes so I just checked each song and they are all in the +2 to 3 range. With The Toneboosters plugin Ebuloudness there are 3 measurements LUK14, true peak and loudness range ( I think). I was setting there thinking that if there was a wider range it would probably effect the LUK14 measurement some...for example. If one song is more dynamic and measures +2.5 K14 it is probably close to a song thats less dynamic that measures +3.

bitflipper


If you want to compare all your songs at once (along with any reference recordings) with a single tool, Toscanalyzer is very cool.

Cool indeed.  I'll be downloading asap.

The EBULoudness plugin is technically more accurate than SPAN, but it's intended for broadcast applications. I did not find it particularly useful for loudness assessment, and as it's a bit of a CPU hog I don't use it. For a while I was using the TT Dynamic Range Meter, but after a year I went back to SPAN. The offline TT DR Meter is still handy for scanning a bunch of files at once, but lately I've been using Toscanalyzer because it gives more detailed information.

At the end of the day, though, my ultimate tool is a combination of ears, ATH-M50s and a quality MP3 player. The player shows a numeric value for the volume setting, which, though meaningless by itself, works as a means of comparing my stuff to commercial recordings and to my other material. It's a kind of crude K-system, in that it enables auditioning songs at a consistent, predictable volume level.

My recent purchase of a set of M-50s may be the single best use of my dollars in quite a while.  They are tres fab.  Astounding, really.

My last ventures I didn't have a sub at all and used just my M50's to make bass decisions...definite improvement.

For my fellow ATH-M50 users: I have recently been applying an EQ curve to my master bus to help compensate for these particular headphones. It's a small correction, based on the frequency response published at headphone.com.



My correction curve is basically a mirror of the above plot:
-4db at 45Hz, Q = 4
-4db at 130Hz, Q = 4
+4db at 5.5KHz, Q = 16
+4db at 9KHz, Q = 16       [EDIT: should be -4db at 9KHz, not +4db; thanks cecilius2!]


Yes, the graph would seem to indicate a need for larger corrections, but I don't know how accurate their measurements are or how much variance there is between individual units so I've elected to be conservative.

Just don't forget to bypass the EQ before exporting!

bitflipper

For my fellow ATH-M50 users: I have recently been applying an EQ curve to my master bus to help compensate for these particular headphones. It's a small correction, based on the frequency response published at headphone.com.



My correction curve is basically a mirror of the above plot:
-4db at 45Hz, Q = 4
-4db at 130Hz, Q = 4
+4db at 5.5KHz, Q = 16
+4db at 9KHz, Q = 16


Yes, the graph would seem to indicate a need for larger corrections, but I don't know how accurate their measurements are or how much variance there is between individual units so I've elected to be conservative.

Just don't forget to bypass the EQ before exporting!

Thanks bitflipper!  I occasionally use ATH-M50's for tracking, and also for checking mixes.  This is a nice EQ correction graph/numbers you provide for us, but the fabfilter looks like a  -4 at 9khz whereas you numbers call for a +4 at 9khz.  Can you let us know which is correct? 

Sorry, that was a typo. It is indeed MINUS 4db at 9 kilohertz. Good thing I included a picture!

Hey Bit...why not save that as a ProQ preset (as I'm sure you have) and make it available to other ProQ owners who also use ATH-M50s...i.e ME via a PM!!!  Purdy Please with sugar on it????

Here's a vid that will help explain how Limiter No.6 operates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BodTdpvChHQ

Sorry, ol' pal, but I don't know how to do that. FabFilter presets are binary files in a proprietary format. I wish everybody would adopt Valhalla's nifty XML-based scheme, which makes it very easy to share presets online or via email.

So my ProQ presets can't be shared with other users?  Gee, didn't know that.  That sounds like something that needs fixin.  Dern.

bitflipper


Sorry, ol' pal, but I don't know how to do that. FabFilter presets are binary files in a proprietary format. I wish everybody would adopt Valhalla's nifty XML-based scheme, which makes it very easy to share presets online or via email.

How presets are stored
Presets for FabFilter Pro-Q are stored in separate files with the .ffp extension (for FabFilter Preset). All presets
reside in subfolders in the main preset folder. The subfolders will show up as separate categories in the preset
menu. You can also further divide the subfolders into categories.
You can manage the preset files just like other files on your computer. The easiest way to do this is in the Save
dialog that appears if you are saving a preset. The preset menu will automatically reload itself with the changes
when the dialog is closed.
Furthermore it is very easy to share your newly created presets with other users since FabFilter presets use the
same file format on both Windows and Mac OS X.
The default location of the main preset folder is My Documents\FabFilter\Pro-Q for Windows, and
~/Library/Audio/Presets/FabFilter/FabFilter Pro-Q for Mac OS X. To change this location, first copy all presets to
the desired new location, and then click Options > Change Preset Folder in the preset menu and select the new
folder.

Thanks Carl, ol pal.  I posted over on the FF forum asking that very thing...but you've provided the answer!!  Hey Bit, hows about now?

carl

Here's a vid that will help explain how Limiter No.6 operates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BodTdpvChHQ

Thanks Carl for this link!  I had figured most of it out, but this video really, helps.  What I haven't fully figured out is their companion vst, the compressor Molot--the youtube video that is on the same site as the video for Limiter no.6 does not help.  Some of it's knobs  are easy like attack and release and ratio, but it would be nice to have a good tutorial video to explain it also.  I do say that I like the Limiter 6 once I got use to it.  I might use it now and then when the mood hits me.  Again, thanks.

I am well aware that ffp files can be managed like any other file. They can also be emailed as a MIME attachment or copied to a file-sharing site or an ftp server.

What you can't do is post the data on a forum or paste it into the body of a plain-text email.

A ValhallaRoom preset, by comparison, can be copied and pasted. Here's a VRoom preset:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<ValhallaRoom pluginVersion="1.1.0" presetName="Big Perc" mix="0.497999996"
              predelay="0.0890000015" decay="0.0551551543" HighCut="0.502013445"
              earlyLateMix="0.802999973" lateSize="1" lateCross="0.200000003"
              lateModRate="0.262626261" lateModDepth="0.270000011" RTBassMultiply="0.693333328"
              RTXover="0.225252524" RTHighMultiply="0.533333361" RTHighXover="0.477852345"
              earlySize="0.287087083" earlyCross="0" earlyModRate="0" earlyModDepth="0"
              earlySend="0.5" diffusion="0.800000012" type="0.333333343"/>


Highlight the preceding XML text and press CTL-C. Open VRoom and select "Paste from clipboard" from the Presets dialog. Just like that, you can get a preset from another VRoom user.

Been using the Vladg stuff for the last month or so, really great stuff, the Molot is awesome.

How do you use the Molot? Have you used it on the master bus or with individual tracks? I think it has a lot of potential too. Limiter No.6 is the real deal for sure!

Hello!  Another Vladg fan here.  Amazing that he's literally giving away his stuff. 
 
My favorite application for Molot has been on the drum bus.  Try the "Overheads" preset and tweak from there. 
 
(I have no affiliation with Vladg ... just a happy user.)
 
Eddie
 

Just saw they updated Limiter No6 to v101.

Changes in 1.0.1:

• Mac VST version 64-bit support was added;
• High CPU load related GUI issues were fixed;
• DirectX GUI acceleration for Windows Vista/Seven was enabled

doncolga

bitflipper


If you want to compare all your songs at once (along with any reference recordings) with a single tool, Toscanalyzer is very cool.

Cool indeed.  I'll be downloading asap.

Be aware that it's for "Non-commercial use" only.
 
So, it's fine if you're a hobbyist and giving your music away... Otherwise, a  definite no-no.   
 

How would anyone know? It doesn't watermark files.

Indeed, who would know? Plus, it's really the kind of tool that amateurs and semi-pros like us would use. I doubt anyone pays Chris Lord-Alge $400 an hour to consult a wave analysis report.

bitflipper


Indeed, who would know? Plus, it's really the kind of tool that amateurs and semi-pros like us would use. I doubt anyone pays Chris Lord-Alge $400 an hour to consult a wave analysis report.

Chris Lord-Alge?  Seriously?
 
There are thousands of "amateurs and semi-pros" who have tunes for sale on SoundClound, iTunes, etc.   That constitutes "commercial use".
 
And as far as "Who would know?.... Well, I would. 
 
And if I can't be expected to do the right thing (ie. adhere to the license agreement) with the software I use, then how can I expect some level of honesty from the people who might buy my music (as opposed to them just downloading a bootleg copy)? 
 

I highly doubt that 'commercial use' means using on it on material that's commercially released but rather distributing the software itself.
To expect the former would be ridiculous.

carl


I highly doubt that 'commercial use' means using on it on material that's commercially released but rather distributing the software itself.
To expect the former would be ridiculous.

"Commercial use" typically means both.  If they mean "distributing" they typically say "distributing".  The same with "commercial-use".  Sorry if you find it ridiculous, but I didn't come up with those terms. 
 
For an example of commercial license, look at the Reaper license explanation below.  It's pretty self-explanatory.
 
http://www.reaper.fm/purchase.php
 
 
 

With Reaper you purchase a license dependent on type of usage.  
 
Anyone know when a commercial version of this will be released?
I contacted them & will post when if I hear back.

Reaper's commercial use license is quite expensive imo...   I've bought Sonar for less than Reaper...  ok, "on sale," but still...

carl


With Reaper you purchase a license dependent on type of usage.  

??? 
 
Apparently you missed my point entirely.  
 
In your previous post, you seemed confused about the term "commercial use", so I gave you an example.  (It's explained quite clearly in their license explanation.  In fact, they use that exact wording: "commercial use").
 
No different than a "commercial studio".  It means the intent to make money from it.
 
Clear now?
 

So Vladg has an upgrade...cool!

JonD

carl


With Reaper you purchase a license dependent on type of usage.  

??? 
 
Apparently you missed my point entirely.  
 
In your previous post, you seemed confused about the term "commercial use", so I gave you an example.  (It's explained quite clearly in their license explanation.  In fact, they use that exact wording: "commercial use").
 
No different than a "commercial studio".  It means the intent to make money from it.
 
Clear now?
 

It was never unclear. There is no license to purchase for this software, there is no binding contract if you use this software's demo & release material commercially.

carl

It was never unclear. There is no license to purchase for this software, there is no binding contract if you use this software's demo & release material commercially.

All of your replies are just confusing the issue.  I gave one example to make a simple illustration.  It doesn't meet your requirements.  Fine.
 
I could give half-dozen more examples, but I get the feeling you would still reject any argument that "commercial" means exactly what I said it means to most software devs.  
 
So we'll just have to agree to disagree.  Have a good day.

clintmartin


How do you use the Molot? Have you used it on the master bus or with individual tracks? I think it has a lot of potential too. Limiter No.6 is the real deal for sure!

Sorry mate missed this post. I've found it works awesome on the drum bus, gets things pumping nicely, also just on the snare for extra beef, in your face sound.
Been using the Limiter 6 more and more too.

Limiter No6 + Molot updated 

What’s new in Molot 0.3.1:

• Output and editing of numeric parameter values. (Editing not implemented in 32-bit AU version)
• Fixed wrong mode in some presets.
• Fixed filter used in linear phase oversampling mode.
• Added “dithering off” option.
• Fixed working with VstToRTAS.
• Added AU version.
• Added support for 10 times attack time scaling.
• Changed limiter code (based on Limiter No6)

What’s new in Limiter №6 1.0.2:

• Less intensive animation (to save CPU cycles);
• Stereo-linked mode in peak-limiter was significantly improved;
• Numeric parameter values now editable (excluding 32-bit AU version);
• Modes I-III of peak limiter were slightly changed;
• AU version added

http://vladgsound.wordpress.com/downloads/

carl


Limiter No6 + Molot updated 

What’s new in Molot 0.3.1:

• Output and editing of numeric parameter values. (Editing not implemented in 32-bit AU version)
• Fixed wrong mode in some presets.
• Fixed filter used in linear phase oversampling mode.
• Added “dithering off” option.
• Fixed working with VstToRTAS.
• Added AU version.
• Added support for 10 times attack time scaling.
• Changed limiter code (based on Limiter No6)

What’s new in Limiter №6 1.0.2:

• Less intensive animation (to save CPU cycles);
• Stereo-linked mode in peak-limiter was significantly improved;
• Numeric parameter values now editable (excluding 32-bit AU version);
• Modes I-III of peak limiter were slightly changed;
• AU version added

http://vladgsound.wordpress.com/downloads/

Thanks Carl for positing this.  For those interested, there are 64bit versions of these two programs.

[[EDIT:   I just noticed that Molut has alpha and sigma modes which model Fairchild 670 and Neve 33609; I had not noticed this before--kind of nice option.  Let me also add the following description of Molot from its readme file:]]

- sigma and alpha attack modes 

- Neve 33609-like sound in sigma mode 

- Fairchild 670-like sound in alpha mode 

- very characterful sound 

- dual mono, linked stereo, M, S and M/S modes 

- external sidechaining in mono mode 

- up to 8x oversampling 

- mid-scoop EQ for simple snare and guitars balance fix 

- limiter for peaks suppressing 

- almost zero latency (2 samples) 

- USSR military style GUI 

- switchable language EN/RU

I downloaded and tried them both. It's like learning how to use a comp and limiter all over again. A bit confusing for me. I'm going to play around with them and see if I can figure them out and make them sound good.

They are a bit complex, but they are very good plugins.

One more comment-- Both Molot and Limiter do come with alternate GUI's, both of which are in English.   I only add this because I do not read Russian, and while I eventually figured out what the knobs on these two plugins did, when I found the English version GUI's, it made using these vsts (at least for me) a lot easier.