Waves WLM Plus Loudness Meter $29. Yay or nay?

[moshuajusic]

My main question is, does Pro Tools vanilla already provide this metering? I see "EBU" and a bunch of other "broadcast" lingo the reference guide under Track and Master Meter Types. Don't know what it all means. I'm sure it's a bargain for those who do. Worth it for newbs too?

[JCBigler]

Meh.

Learn to use the built in metering, or grab the Waves VU meter.

If you don't know if you need the WLM metering options, then chances are you probably don't.

[noah330]

I like Waves Dorrough for checking phase. I got WLm as part of an upgrade and I don’t think I’ve ever even opened it.

I guess it depends on the work you do.

[onosendai]

It is a loudness meter so it has nothing to with vu or phase. It will tell you the integrated loudness and true peak value in a sequence of audio like a music piece or a soundtrack for a tv programme. When the wlm first came out there weren't a lot of "not insanely overpriced" loudness meters on the market. Today isn't the case and vendors like izotope, tc electronics, nugen, zplane, hofa offer some good options. If you need loudness readouts and don't already have one, then 29 USD is are bargain. The wlm is aimed at postproduction, but I see no reason why it can't be used for music, allthough if you need musical presets then you have to make them yourself and source the numbers from platform documentation.

Like all meters it comes down to personal taste. One thing the wlm doesn't quiet offer compared to others on the market is extensive ui customisation, but really all you need it for is a loudness figure and maybe max TP if you aren't already using a TP limiter.

Avid's own Pro Limiter, a very nice limiter, has loudness metering and it comes with an offline loudness analyzer as well. I don't know if it's part of the vanilla package though.

[Stephen Bond]

Get the Dorrough https://www.waves.com/plugins/dorrough-stereo

Last plugin on my mix buss for years. Clear and easy to see what's going on

Use my code below and save more

I have the other one but rarely open it.

Stephen

[moshuajusic]

Originally Posted by Stephen Bond

Get the Dorrough https://www.waves.com/plugins/dorrough-stereo

Last plugin on my mix buss for years. Clear and easy to see what's going on

Use my code below and save more

I have the other one but rarely open it.

Stephen

Don't the RMS and "Digital VU" modes in PT vanilla give you the sample peaks and some sort of averaging at the same time? What's the advantage of Dorrough?

[YYR123]

I would say the advantage of the Dorroughs is

Simple
Larger display than a Avid’s version
Classic Hardware
Clean Looks
Easy on the Eyes


I got them on sale as well

[tamtamstudio]

I use WLM plus in post, everyday, every production.
totally another thing the dorrough, a different usage, post but also on music.
It's easy to use, like WLM

FYI It's indispensable on movie Trailers levels with TASA preset or DIAL to check dialog consistency on 5.1 productions.

[moshuajusic]

Originally Posted by tamtamstudio

I use WLM plus in post, everyday, every production.
totally another thing the dorrough, a different usage, post but also on music.
It's easy to use, like WLM

FYI It's indispensable on movie Trailers levels with TASA preset or DIAL to check dialog consistency on 5.1 productions.

How about a short film likely to just go on youtube, MAYBE submitting to festivals?

[Stephen Bond]

Originally Posted by YYR123

I would say the advantage of the Dorroughs is

Simple
Larger display than a Avid’s version
Classic Hardware
Clean Looks
Easy on the Eyes

+1

You can get the same info in PT built in metering but Dorrough does the job much better. I've a fair selection but this is the only one I use regularly.

Stephen