Adding a VU Meter on Tracks in REAPER

[@MrBearfaced]

I love it when the bountiful angel of Reaper appears on my screen from his white studio heaven to bestow his knowledge of all things DAW and beyond. It never ceases to amaze me that in a few seconds the tiny 15MB installation file can be downloaded and it contains more features than I will ever know... and if something is missing then someone has usually written an add-on! Thanks for all your work Kenny and thanks to all the people who develop Reaper.

[@jimmahbee]

It is heaven sent

[@cdevils]

It's not that serious

[@TazzSmk]

let me add a quick tip: smoothness of VU meter motion in embedded MCP is affected by Reaper Preferences -> Appearance -> Track Control Panel -> Meter update frequency (Hz), I highly recommend typing value of your display/monitor (so for ex. 60 for 60Hz display, 100 for 100Hz display etc..)

[@REAPERMania]

Nice one!!!!

[@harrisfrankou2368]

score that one!

[@electricwally]

Thank you for that tip. I have the vu meter installed on a track. Followed your excellent instructions. Went into the control panel on my laptop and confirmed my screen refresh rate is 60 Hz. Went to the Reaper>Options>Preferences>Appearance>Track Control Panels>Meter Update Frequency (Hz) and discovered it defaults to 30 Hz. I changed the setting to 60 Hz and noticed an improvement albeit not a huge difference. Then I experimented and changed the refresh rates to various values such as: 5Hz, 1Hz, 20Hz, 30Hz, 4OHz, 5OHz and 60Hz. Definitely a huge difference between 5 Hz and 60Hz. There you can clearly see the obvious difference! Thanks again TzzSmk! Great video Kenny! Thank you!

[@TazzSmk]

@@electricwally glad you like it! just be aware that "faster" drawing will stress your computer a bit more (hence why default is quite low) so in case of performance problems (let's say reliability issues when recording), it may be a culprit

[@electricwally]

@@TazzSmk ... Ok, thank you but please clarify. Does that mean I should back off on the refresh rate and lower it from 60Hz back to Reaper's default setting of 30Hz (if there is no real noticeable performance improvement). My laptop's default display resolution is 60Hz. It's not like I set the refresh rate higher than what my laptop's display can handle. Thank you TzzSmk.

[@harrisfrankou2368]

oh my goodness me. reminds me of my analogue days finishing an ok rough mix turning the lights low and watching all the meters dance!! Again Kenny always the best thanks!

[@LaterHolmes]

Man, Reaper gets better every day. Thanks Kenny!

[@bubkasaurus]

Love the VU Meters on tracks and Mixer panel. First rate. All pro! This is Genius Kenny! You are the King sir!

[@ZenoMOD]

Thanks for the feature, Kenny! ❤

[@Danko76]

Didn't know you can visualize effects in mixer and now my head will explode. Thank you

[@IDDQDSound]

Your mixes sound so awesome! I love how your vocals aren't like twice as loud as anything else and the instruments get to shine but the vocals are still so upfront! Teach us :)

[@DThompson55]

Me too. Maybe I should be using Kenny's demos as a reference mix... there are worse reference mixes.

[@hardleftproductions5323]

Thanks for this Kenny! Not only is this useful, its going to impress my clients, wife, and kids with just the visuals!

[@MrHectorjalo]

A LOT VIDEOS. LONG LIVE KENNY.... WE NEED MORE. AMAZING JOB

[@philjames1019]

Awesome tutorial Kenny ...... it's so good to have you back here!!

[@ryanpgallant7769]

The best channel on KZbin! You are a lifesaver Kenny !

[@michaelanthony9068]

Kenny you are amazing. I can’t imagine how you figure out all this stuff to begin with. Thank you.

[@Boneskinmachine]

Oh man, your videos have been such a necessity and pleasure... now I'm finding you demoing Stash addons?!! I LOVE this!!

[@richdesanti2686]

GREAT JOB KENNY! Love your new intro/outro too!

[@seanwalsh999]

Great demo. But maybe on the next one you can go into more detail on the meters behavior. The VU meter on track two was showing the peak light being lit, but the needle never hit the red. In the old analog days I was taught that you wanted the needle to average around "0" VU and the occasional dip in the red.

[@ConwayBob]

Great comment! In the good old analog days, "the occasional dip in the red" usually meant some gentle waveform distortion due to tape saturation. In the digital world, perhaps our dip into Distortionlandia will not be so gentle!

[@mikewaldron4492]

He showed it being set to -6. If you hit 0, it's game over man...

[@JiihaaS]

A VU meter isn't exactly a peak meter. It shows you the average volume, so it doesn't keep up with transients. I assume the peak light does, so on percussive tracks which mostly consist of transients, the light might get lit while the needle barely moves.

[@ahankararockband]

It is always inspiring, at least to me, seeing those nice warm yellow analog meters movung to music path. Thanks, nice work😉👍

[@jaysinchrist]

Mr Kenny I just want to tell you your tutorials have saved my life literally and has taught me everything I need to know to make great music

[@joeheukerott9186]

Thanks! Very useful. Also, the last couple of new videos are very fine too. You are the best!

[@urssounds]

Man! Awesome... Reaper is just sooo powerful. It's blowing my mind every time I see it! Thx for the video!

[@gregoryvpencheff3091]

We definitely learn something from every vid Kenny. Thanks.

[@penjackson]

AWESOME!! Again you saved my life!! Thanks Kenny!!

[@BurningBushPedagogy]

Wow you just made me realize that theie are already VU Meters in reaper and some third party ones too. Thanks

[@raindogred]

so much easier for my failing eyesight...i didn't even know this was a thing..thanks again Kenny

[@agateenchantmentrockwizard5969]

Excellent tips 👌

[@cupboardhomestudio971]

. Thanks Kenny .... it's a custom I was trying to do these days. The Vu-M by Zeno are very beautiful .... 🎼😉

[@mccreature]

The ice, is gonna break! Love the dead zone reference!

[@lode233]

Nice Feature! thanks Kenny!

[@espr7564]

Wow Kenny nice to see you at last!

[@IsmaelMulti]

I love you, Kenny! You ROCK!

[@Nashid]

Thank you that was very helpful tutorial. But I'm not being able to embedded UI as I cant find that option. I'm using version 5.35 .. could you guide me where do I get that option in my one.

[@ZenoMOD]

Sure. Update REAPER

[@pakfumejia6951]

Thanks again Kenny!

[@Hermiel]

Every time that intro comes on I instinctively reach for my sunglasses.

[@The_GREAT_GALACTIC_GUITAR_show]

AWESOME! (-: Thanks for this, Kenny!

[@NovianLeVanMusic]

Is there a way to have the VU meter leveled with the track controls (to the right side of the pan knob) instead of below the track controls?

[@sambafunk]

Kenny Gioia : The reason we all love Reaper! Thanks a lot Kenny! ❤️

[@peterpiper0815]

Came here to see how the VU meter looks like, learned 'right click the FX window -> scan for new plugins'. I'm using Reaper since 2016. *facepalm* I feel a bit stupid right now. :)

[@burning_KFC]

As always writing a comment to support the channel

[@olegnasirrom]

Nice one Kenny thanks as always .... BTW Love the track !!

[@REAPERMania]

Song used - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHnOgnyVo7V6bbs

[@NickFromNetherlands]

For Serum default and other synth the level is - 6 dBFS in reaper. Have to adjust volume track -18 dB. every time or adjust Serum level knob or change velocity from 127 to 100

[@anth0rama]

tip to add fx to multiple tracks: 1 select all the tracks you want to add the fx to 2 open fx bin [or click blank fx slot in tcp track window] 3 search up the effect you want to add 4 right-click the effect name --should show the "add to selected tracks" option

[@oskarus666]

Kenny, whatever I would like to ask You, is always there

[@masterwong3837]

That is soooo cool!

[@jimmahbee]

if you only want to have it in the mixer you can specify that too. But you have to add the plugin in the folder Kenny specifies here

[@Rad-gm6pt]

Cool stuff. Thanks for more information.

[@DamausZA]

Great stuff as usual, Reaper has become my favorite DAW for editing, thanks Kenny! By the way, which Ice?

[@REAPERMania]

The one the kids play hockey on. LOL

[@DamausZA]

@@REAPERMania Ah, I thought you might be refering to the massive piece in Antartica...it's gonna break! Well, sometime, I suppose! 😁

[@Radds1]

Hi Kenny, I've added the meter without any problems. But the controls for the settings looks completely different from your screen (see 2:06 in your vid) and I can only edit a couple of the settings. In particular I can't edit the UI style (doesn't even show as an option, I'd like to use warm), and also can't edit the ref or warn levels (they are set at -18 and -6 and can't be edited). Is there some reaper setting that I need to change to see the grey sliders like in your view? I'm using Reaper 7.05 on Windows.

[@emrekt22]

insanely useful stuff as always

[@russellcameronthomas2116]

So informative! I didn't know it was possible to make the FX UI appear in the track AND mixer. QUESTION: Is it possible to configure the VU to be POST-FADER? Right now I do this by creating separate (AUX) tracks with VU only, and then route any tracks to those VU tracks. It works, but a little cumbersome.

[@markus918]

Hello, Kenny! Thank you for your lessons and your great work! I have this question: I have installed a VU Meter on the track. And it shows a terrible overload, despite the fact that the sound level on the master track is 0 db. I can't figure out what's going on and what should I do about it? Thank you in advance for your reply!👌

[@electricwally]

Hi Kenny, thank you. Wish list ... When you have the time, can you please make a video on what all the different types of meters are measuring? I installed the vu meter but have no idea how to use this meter on my tracks. Obviously the scale on the vu meter is much different than the scale on the Reaper default digital db meter which I use to set the proper input levels on each track. Thank you.

[@JDOGamingDudes]

Hey i've downloaded the VU meter but I cant see any of the parameters, only the VU meter which doesn't move, any reason for this?

[@ZenoMOD]

Yes, there are reasons for that: Since the release of this video, the meter has received several updates. The parameters are now part of the GUI. If the needle does not move, it is probably because the signal level is too low or the signal is very transient-heavy. Please visit the Reaper Forum thread for more information about the new features of the VU Meter: forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=262611

[@SimonLarkin-CSRecording]

You the man!!

[@juliancarreno101]

Thanks Kenny!

[@JerryKolata]

Great! One question though regarding stereo tracks --- I can only display one track on the MCP or TCP, it says "Left / Mid" Anyway to display both tracks? Thanks!

[@ZenoMOD]

The vu meter has 3 possible channel modes: stereo, mono (summed) and mid/side. In stereo mode, the left meter shows left and the right meter shows right. In mid/side mode the left meter shows mid (L+R) and the right meter shows side (L-R). Mid and mono (summed) is always L+R, therefore: it shows the channels left and right as one summed signal. If the meter is embedded in the TCP or MCP, it always shows mono (summed) there. In the floating plugin window the channel mode can be set independently, so that the VU meter shows stereo there, while it shows the mono summed embedded. Displaying the summed signal in embedded mode is a design decision I made, as displaying both channels individually in MCP is not a pleasure for users of display devices with

[@JerryKolata]

@@ZenoMOD Thanks for that detailed explanation, makes good sense!

[@FirebrandVOCALS]

Loving this

[@edsterling5258]

Incidentally, that sounds like a Great song.

[@MortenAndersen-hjemmesider]

Can we use VU meters when setting levels for the static mix? Kick at xx, Snare at yy, bass at zz etc.

[@gothsonmusic]

Hi kenny. Is there a way to make the vu metter fixed as last plug in in the chain? Otherwise every time we add an fx the metter would be useless unless we keep moving it which would be a workflow killer. Thanks

[@ARE_YOU_SICK_OF_YT_CENSORSHIP]

kind of, if you save the fx chain with instances of a dummy JSFX preceding the meter plugin and then replace them with actual plugins or just insert those above the dummy ones

[@ScrewballMcAdams]

Really great tutorial. Thanks!

[@AndyCampbellMusic]

Brilliant...

[@pepe7drum]

I have a question, how do I set up my VU meters to the K system? I'm so accostumed to mix on K20, K14 and K12 but I can't find anything about it in Reaper

[@XchakGearz]

cool thnx 🙂

[@SaadAl-Kaisy]

super helpful thank you for the vid

[@artemi-music]

can someone please explain me why is VU metering is used on tracks? what's the use of it?

[@REAPERMania]

Just something different to look at it. It's not needed. Some people just prefer them.

[@jorgecaicedo1982]

Great vid although I've gotten used to watching that the tracks don't run into the red during mixing nor does the master track when mastering time comes

[@conrow1157]

One problem I have is that when I move my mouse over the vu meter the +-volume changes sometimes. Any workarounds?

[@mikeonb4c]

Love your videos Kenny and they've guided me on my journey with learning Reaper for some time now! Love the VU idea also but (1) what is the CPU hit putting them on all tracks (twice) and (2) Is that hit likely to be worse with a VU meter like Klanghelm, which I like and (3) I still struggle to understand how/why a VU meter (as opposed to just watching the Reaper track volume bars) is such an essential in trying to get a good mix. If you could start a video like this (and you usually do) with a quick explanation of why it is worth doing the VU meter on every track idea, plus whether it is/is not a significant CPU hit, that would be really useful. Keep up the great work :-)

[@LennonStephens]

On analog gear, averaging 0 vu is equal to -18db. This is important if you are using analog modeled plugins because this is the level the modeled gear is fed for the emulation. So to get realistic response from those plugins they need to receive 0vu. Kenny calibrated his to -12 instead of -18, which would give more color or saturation than would be normal.

[@mikeonb4c]

@@LennonStephens Thanks Lennon, very useful. Should a Vu meter be placed before any analogue plugins then? Also, how can I be sure a plugin is an analog one (take things like Kazrog True Iron, PA Black Box HG2, Softube Tape etc). And is a Vu meter needed before each one on each track (as that would seem a lot) or just ahead of the first one and then use the plugins own input and output metering?

[@jurv7626]

@@mikeonb4c The VU meter should be first before any effect, but if you are 100% in the box you shouldn't care (just don't clip), most if not all analog modeled plugins don't use 0dBVU but -18dBFS as their reference point. Let's be honest, wouldn't be annoying to keep changing the input gain? What if you had 100+ tracks, that would be time consuming right?

[@mikeonb4c]

@@jurv7626 Thanks for that and yes I'm careful not to clip when I mix. As you say, trying to stay on top of all this over many tracks can overburden you when you're trying to do all the music stuff as well so I'll have to decide whether VU meters everywhere is for me!

[@ZenoMOD]

(1) How high the absolute CPU hit is depends on your CPU. (2) The ZenoMOD VU Meter has about half the CPU hit that Klanghelm's VUMT has. To be fair, Klanghelm offers more features... but cannot be embedded. (3) VU Meters are not essential for a good mix. Essential is a trained ear, experience and good source material. What a VU meter can help with, however, is the estimation of average levels and dynamics, if you know how to interpret a VU meter. Please don't make the mistake of setting all your pre-fader levels to 0dBVU with -18dBFS reference. Rather think of it as an RMS meter with extra high meter resolution around the reference point. Great visual aid when writing level automations or when compressing. Well... and it looks pretty ;)

[@roomirezz]

Thanks for the video, Kenny. There was a question. Does it have any practical application? After all, the indicators show the pre-fader value and the level of the faders does not affect them.

[@REAPERMania]

They look pretty?

[@LennonStephens]

Yes it does. If you are using analog modeled plugins they are emulated at 0vu like the real gear. For the model to sound the most realistic, like the hardware, you need to feed the plugin 0vu. This is all done prefader and is a large purpose for gainstaging. The lights are pretty too though lol

[@rafajorba8736]

Kenny youre the one. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[@ifaber68]

Very nice! thank you :-)

[@davidgharrod8174]

The file I just downloaded (11/8/22) has no icon in the corner to expand and see other settings. It only allows a knob to be placed in the track control box. I only see the meters when the effect is open! The one in ReaPack is the same.

[@ZenoMOD]

Update REAPER.

[@Ram-Music]

thanks I love it .

[@yonikraz22]

Thanks a lot Kenny!! Can you tell us the vocal fx chain used for this mix? Sounds perfect!

[@REAPERMania]

I didn't record it. Sorry.

[@avpmobi]

I'm not sure what I am seeing for stereo channels, in the effect window 2 meters fine, but in the TCP or MCP 1 meter. Is it left, right, combined or what? Can 2 meters be displayed in TCP and MCP?

[@avpmobi]

I have now found how to do this. 2 instances and set up routing via plug-in pin connector. Left 1 only, right 2 only with no outputs.

[@amplifiedemotions]

Hey Kenny very helpful video and great job as always!! However I just wanted to let you know that this VU meter plugin caused a strange glitch my reaper projects that only shows up when I hit record. It actually makes a terrible noise and will not record at all. The problem goes away once I remove the VU plugin. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this?

[@jasonbone5121]

Every plugin you add to the mix puts more strain on your CPU. At some point your CPU cant handle it and glitches start to become issues. In Reaper, go to the View menu, and then select Performance Meter. This will show you the strain on your CPU. There are work arounds, such as printing all effects to stems.

[@ZenoMOD]

My fault. Fixed. Please update to v1.7.5

[@amplifiedemotions]

@@ZenoMOD Great, thanks so much for the reply !

[@letthewindcome]

Great stuff thanks you! i wish there was a digital volume meter just like this.

[@yannickcoignard6693]

oh Nice! very hepfull. Thank's

[@thomasshugar6673]

I'm an old guy- I started out with VU Meters. I had a Yamaha Mt3X 4 track cassette, then a Fostex B-16 D -16 Track. Anyway, unlike Analog- I guess that we are NOT 'running in the Red' with these VU Meters?

[@garyk4417]

I tried adding the VU meters to my master track. Now I have both the bars and the VU. Also the VU only shows left. Any tips on how to get only the VU on the master track?

[@bengalidoom7626]

none of my plug ins are showing up in my track control panel even when I enable the feature, any tips ?

[@nandoselleguini]

Is there a way to leave the V.U only in the MIX window?

[@mhasted]

The meter shows up on the MCP but doesn't show in my TCP even though it is active.

[@neilsmith5464]

Kenny - what reaper theme are you using? These instructionals are brilliant - thankyou!

[@EqDior]

Amazing tutorial as usual! Quick ? If used on a 32 track plus mix session will this make a substantial difference on cpu usage?

[@ZenoMOD]

Depends on your CPU. On my system 50 tracks with embedded vu meters make for about 1% CPU usage. So even a 200 track project with embedded vu meters should not be a problem. But it is not optimized for performance yet. I will try to reduce the cpu consumption a bit during the next updates. cheers, zeno

[@douglasimhoff5984]

Anybody encountering an issue in which the gui for this meter doesn't appear? I followed the steps Kenny detailed in the video, however when I add the add the effect the graphic doesn't appear. The only thing shown is a random bit of code where VU Meter (Zeno Mod) should be, the mode selection, and the volume slider.

[@JonShires]

Me too - not sure what I am doing wrong

[@chrisbrowne1261]

@@JonShires I ran across the same problem. I was using 5.16 version. I upgraded Reaper to the latest version which solved the problem.

[@flamindigo]

it didn't work in 6.19. It was always pegging at +3 and there were no controls. Under Extensions > Loudness, my Integrated was -12.4 LUFS, Range 1.4 LU, Max Short Term -11.5 LUFS, Max MOmentary -9.

[@deskypoo]

Is it my imagination or did you do this video before? I've a vague memory of learning how to get VUs to show in the TCP before. Nevertheless, this is great thanks, they remind me of the old mixing desks

[@markpippitt6539]

For stereo tracks (TCP or MCP) how would you add two VU meters for Left and Right channels? I see the plug-in shows Stereo, but when I add them only one meter appears?

[@ZenoMOD]

I have designed the meter so that when it is embedded, it always shows the mono sum (L+R). If you want to display left and right independently, you need two VU Meter instances. In the pin connector you have to remove the right pin for the left meter and the left pin for the right meter. Cheers, Zeno

[@cycotec1]

I need help on what vu meters do ?

[@REAPERMania]

Some people just prefer them. They're just meters.

[@Ein-Stuck]

Hey Kenny, can you set it up for those meters stay at the bottom of the plugin chain?

[@PASHKULI]

Neat trick and great feature. Also, the song is quite nice. Who is it (the singer\band)?

[@REAPERMania]

Song used - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHnOgnyVo7V6bbs

[@PASHKULI]

@@REAPERMania Thanks. Ah, this musicians again. Really nice song she made "Bad for you", again promoted on your videos. Thank you for that indeed!

[@Kai_Degen]

The version I downloaded today (1.7) has no options or parameters, neither themes to select from. Looks and behaves pretty crappy. :(

[@ZenoMOD]

The version you downloaded works perfectly. Update REAPER.

[@dnashofficial]

argh!! i have the most recent version, but i can't find any of the options yours displays like reference level, warn level, etc. just the skin, and stereo/sum. what's the secret, o wizened one?

[@dnashofficial]

uff. never mind, i found them. new GUI i guess. anyway, awesome video as always

[@thomascreen9237]

Sweet. My only concern is that the levels on the VU Meter don't seem to get anywhere near 0 while the vertical digital meter thingy is shooting up. Perhaps they are calibrated differently?

[@EliasDORNELES-mf8yk]

AFAIU, the digital meter shows the instant value of the signal, while the VU meters display a smoothed out signal, according to the response parameter -- which reflects the perceived loudness better than the instant digital value. In the original electromechanical VU meters it was the weight of the needle that caused the smoothing.

[@ZenoMOD]

Actually, the "VU meters" in Reaper are not VU meters, but peak meters. However, this is a VU meter and as such it measures loudness, not peak. It's super confusing. The Reaper devs should name their meters correctly.

[@GeorgeAlexanderOz]

Yeah, it will.

[@rudolfbaethge282]

Hey Keny, silly question but is that meter pre fader? I have it on a track but if brind the fader all the way down, the meter still moves

[@carlosjavierhernandezlugo6306]

So I guess not all the features work with mac M1?

[@ZenoMOD]

Version 1.7.5 works perfectly on any OS

[@royabelrh]

Nice!

[@prodcore]

is the VU meter heavy on the cpu usage?

[@ZenoMOD]

Let's make it simple: Show me a VU meter that is lower in CPU and I'll send you a beer. Bet on it? ;)