Gain Staging Magic with HoRNet VU Meter MK3

[@djmgiraldo]

Hey man! That one is a great plugin! Important note: Once you hit stop, the "Auto" button turns off, that means that once you hit play again the levels are not going to be adjusted once again... unless you hit the "Auto" button again ;) So you don´t have to turn the plugin off... Just leave it on and since it already adjusted itself the levels will be consistent. Peace!

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Man. I missed that. Yes. You are correct. All the best George!!!!!

[@beatrenegades]

wait, explain that again?

[@MrUnderdawg777]

Can I attach hornet to a vocal chain vocal bus ? Instead of using hornet for each vocal track ? And when I do apply hornet to my vocal bus and I want to adldjust the fader levels how can I adjust the fader levels and other vst without then effecting my vocal bus and the vst withing the vocal bus ? Any tips ? Thanks people 😇

[@defactotechno9850]

I was wondering about that. Great reply and video, really helpful! 👍

[@dna598]

Does it tho? I turn auto off and the levels are still jumping. It's driving me mad!

[@humbleprogress1226]

Thank you so much for this! I was wondering what i was doing wrong, but i wasn't rendering the audio and removing the plug. Makes sense. Thank you.

[@davidcadogandc]

Great tutorial. I've had this plugin for some time and never used it even though I updated it every time I was emailed from HoRNeT. Now I get it. Thanks a lot!

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Blackopz1969 good news. All the best!!

[@teologymusic]

20 minutes a project saved, thank you!

[@adwes1937]

Bro you just broke that plug-in tf down bro. I was wondering what purpose it served. That render tracks option 🤦🏽‍♂️ killed it. Great vid. Just got a new sub off this one😂

[@Khryptic]

you are a star bro the best tutorial ive seen for this

[@Coqui-Media]

Love the way you have presented and scripted this tutorial ... very well done! Would love to hear the completed mix of this piece you're working on so will subscribe to keep an eye on things ;-) Best regards, Joe Ortiz - Heavenly Media Services UK

[@AndrewKeithRussell]

Thank you, I just got this Hornet VU, and this is video is sooo valuable! Well done!

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Your Welcome. YOu're really going to enjoy it. ! All the best. George.

[@possumnewsnetwork1191]

This is a effective & clear way to Gain stage in Studio One! Very good explanation. Thanks

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Fab plug in ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Purchased lots from Hornet, Great Video

[@luisbarrera5740]

have you tried the normalizer? its a very similar plugin to this one. except that it also lets you "normalize" DBFS,RMS, LUFs (mom, int, shrt) in addition to the -18vu setting. from hornet plugins as well.

[@andrewrussell7909]

I like how you are direct and to the point! Well explained, thanks. I look forward to more Studio one vids. 🎤🎧🎼

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Andrew Keith Russell thank you. All the best !

[@djrage73]

Man...thank you SO much for this. I had trouble understanding how to set it up and you got straight to the point!

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Your welcome.

[@starsandguitars2050]

I was having problems before I saw this. Really appreciated.

[@KleeMusicAZ]

Thanks man! I need these challenges in my life. Things have been too easy this past year. lol

[@miguellombana9847]

WOW you mean to tell me that for around 7 dollars US I can do a quick setup of a big session and in a few seconds all my tracks are exactly where I want them!!! How did I not know about this sooner!

[@ChristopherJGould]

VERY useful - thanks for this.

[@garvolt]

When you press “auto” VU Meter tries to adjust the gain so that the VU level (not RMS) peaks at the desired value (0, 1, 2 or 3). When you enable the “peak protection” you create an upper limit for the auto gain algorithm so that if when rising the gain to reach the desired VU level the peak would be above the “peak protection” limit the auto gain would stop and limit the applied gain to the max level possible without exceeding the set peak limit. This means that what matter the most is the peak limit and if your signal would go above that limit it simply stops adding gain, that’s why you’ll never be able to reach your -18db (0VU in our default configuration)

[@oliverbuchel2831]

Very good Tutorial. Thank you very much . You helped me a lot

[@Dellx]

Exactly what i was looking for you've got my sub- clear config, application and recommendations nice

[@marceloribeirosimoes8959]

So, do we have to apply the level change to the audio file? Oh boy... Maybe we should just turn the "auto" off...

[@dream.cast.studios]

Nailed it! Thanks a lot

[@hodshonf]

WOW! That was FANTASTIC! thank you!

[@papa_da_engineer]

Gain staging is the foundation 👍💪🔥🔥🎵🔊🎸

[@julian_defal]

Very nice - I liked. Helped me a lot. Thanks man.

[@ChaceBonanno]

Can't you just turn auto off instead of bounce all the tracks and disable the plugin?

[@byronk5]

Fantastic tutorial,thanks a bunch!

[@hanswurst579]

Hey man! Great tutorial! I have one problem: If i render my audio with this plugin on, there is always one super loud transient coming through, so the first kick drum hit is always way louder than the rest. It seems that the plugin needs the first hit to make a change and reacts afterwards...am i doing it wrong or has there to be a lookahead option or something? PLEASE HEEEEEELP! Thx bud!

[@gratefulpoppi]

Really well done! Thank you!

[@cramosmartinez]

Do you know the difference between The Normalizer and VUMeter both from hoRNet? It seems that both plug-ins do the same with a different interface.

[@poeticgeenetikstv4672]

Great video! I ave a question. So as I create my my track should I adjust each instrument or vocals as I create them or just I just apply hornet to them after the production of the track is complete? Also is it okay to put EQ and other effects on melodies or drums before adding HORNET?

[@Romulusuk]

Thanks for an interesting video. I didn't understand when you said that moving the fader makes it post but returning to unity made it pre.

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Tony Pearshouse sorry I probably confused everyone. Studio one does. It have a pre or post fader metering option. If you are at cero you are seeing the level as recorded. If you add plugins and move the fader the level changes on the meter. I probably confused you again :-). Pre fader metering would not change even if you moved the fader. It would only change if plug-ins added gain

[@denizylmaz852]

hello, it was a very nice video, thanks .. I will have a question on this subject only the stems demi works or does it work when the sound that peaked in the plugin is also applied?

[@bashawey]

Thank alot Nice video for Gain Staging

[@danielporter4194]

Good stuff! Thanks man!

[@jessetaldotcom]

Great tutorial.

[@shine_uno]

Awesome. Thank you. Works exactly the same way with instruments plug ins ( vst like )?

[@cgonzt5636]

Thanks, Hornet also have LFU meter, and Normaliser plug in, is it the same if my aim is automatic gain staging? Thanks

[@tri-unetrl3966]

Lol

[@artreemusic2646]

What about DI guitars when using the VST amp? We set this plugin before the VST amp? For me it doesn't work and the guitar DI gain signal is still high in some places

[@nickheymann5517]

Was super helpful! thank you. And the song sounds really good

[@TheDude-vx6wn]

Hi George, If I am producing a song and I adjust the faders for each channel as I go long, can I then turn on this plugin, set it to auto gain with a Max Peak of say -10 db, would my song be auto gained to -10 db while respecting the levels that I had already set with the individual mixer channel faders before turning this plugin on?

[@jammer777]

This is helpful, thanks for posting this. I’’m a little confused about something. Another video I watched about this plugin said that you actually had to play through the entire song so that the plugin could “listen” to the audio in order to process it. You showed just hitting the Auto button without playing through the song. Do you have to hit Auto and then play through the audio or does just hitting Auto process the audio? Thanks.

[@jammer777]

Tha_Blk_Bih_Destroyah_2020 F*ck off asshole.

[@onikore]

THANK U SO MUCH!!^^ Very usefull tuto.

[@Mineiro426]

Thanks for the great tutorial, I just have one question: as far as I understand once you apply the Transform to Rendered Audio command the audio on the tracks are destructively processed - is that correct? Let me asking it differentely: if you apply this, save your session and close your recording software your original tracks will be now processed forever and you won't have access to them the way they were before (unless you have backuped them)? Thanks again and sorry for my poor english.

[@jammer777]

I know with Studio One you can revert back and restore the original if you need to.

[@georgezorbas6422]

hello..nice video. Can you explain the differences between LU meter mkii vs VU meter mkii?

[@Drylogic_kills]

Awesome video, extremely helpful. But what happens when you start adding gain with plugins ?

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Robert Greer nothing. Just bring the output down. All the best.

[@danielverakis9399]

Logic Pro user Unclear about several things: Can you use the plugin while tracking (recording) a vocal to set a -18 recording level?( much like a compressor or limiter) Do you have to play the track after pressing “Auto” to set the -18 gain staging level. Does this “write” (render)the gain staging directly onto the audio track?(Logic) Logic seems not to have the “transform to render” function? Must You remove the plugin From the channel when finished? Is the setting saved with the Logic save function? Sent from my iPad

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Yes you can but that's not a practical way to record. You do not have to play the track. Yes. It renders the track gain staging directly into the audio. I've never used Logic sorry. If you render the plugin, it will be removed unless, like in Studio one, you tell it to stay so that you can restore the audio. George.

[@jjm9741]

what was the "One thing" you didnt finish saying at the very last of the video it ended?

[@___David___Savian]

I think the one thing he was going to say at the end was that Trump sucks.

[@billys5965]

Great video. Once you render the audio after auto-adjusting the levels with the plugin, can you then remove the plugin so all those instances aren't leaning on the CPU resources? Thanks.

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Bill Schreiber depending on your DAW yes. The plugin will be automatically removed. In Studio one, when you transform, you have the option to keep or remove the plug-in. In PT, you can right click and commit that plug-in. Hope that helps. All the best. George.

[@TheHeldenbariton]

Hi, would this transform to render audio also work in Logic Pro x .... I didn’t found this function

[@estebanbeerseba2316]

please tell me de name of the song, porfavor dime el nombre de la cancion, gracias :D

[@DarkBlackReaper]

Some noob questions: Will that reduce gain of guitar tracks? When I've done that with different trim plugins I feel like gain is way lower so it affects the sound. And second one is: What are perfect recording levels? And how we can monitor them properly? (I'm usually mixing metal if that's make any difference) Thanks a lot for this video. Cheers!

[@DarkBlackReaper]

I know that on digital systems there is almost infinite headroom and I know that most people recommend peaking at -6 the most. I just interested in your opinion on that topic.

[@xxunknowndevilxx]

can i just export the tracks instead of transforming them ??? because im using a different DAW .. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE VIDEO !!

[@borissegal]

cheers!

[@Diegosaurio]

After you press "Auto" do you have to play through the entire song? or the analysis is completed once you pressed "auto"?

[@user-pq9ub1py9r]

thanks! there is a hornets normalizer. whats the difference between this two? please reply thank you

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Some difference. I think the normalizer will adjust the peaks to a given level. King staging maintains the peaks, therefore maintaining the dynamic range between the lowest and the lowest part. I hope that makes sense.

[@ricardorodriguez6456]

Hey George im learning a lot, you dont make more videos anymore, why is that?, hope you're fine.

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Hey Ricardo. I started a construction company a couple of years ago. I actually just put the studio together. Hopefully soon I can make lore. But I have to watch my own videos to remember. Hehehe. Have a good one

[@michaelk.hawkins2641]

How do I transform the audio into the tracks in a DAW other than Studio One...I use Cakewalk...

[@TifsterBeatz]

Good question. I would like to know that aswell for FL Studio ;)

[@JellyBags80]

a year too late but: I did it in Logic using "Bounce Region in Place"... but you have to do one at a time :(. Also, beware you don't bounce TRACKS in place... yes, it will do all of them at once but it will turn all your mono tracks into stereo, which is a hassle to change back. Easier to just do one at a time. Not sure if it's the same in any other DAWs

[@rockwriter9054]

Hi i have just purchased thus after watching your video i have down loaded it, unzipped it, and its now in my vst folder how do i get it into my DAWs browser studiio one ? Please thankyou

[@ST-fl5fy]

So in logic I would bounce track in place plugin on it then remove them all?

[@lamont1979ss]

gracias!

[@derrickchapman7283]

Can you record threw it in it still keep things in order if you're not clipping at the source

[@29djandy]

Hello I have some mixing questions. How can I reach you.

[@kombilakombi5410]

clear good

[@georgemissana3970]

Good job bro, big up , can you help to get this plugn HoRnEt Vu meter

[@tthetechnician7959]

u should specify that u cant render tracks waveforms unless your in studio 1... one question...what's the difference between this plugin and just grouping your tracks and lowing the fader???

[@gidiyongidi17]

T The Technician avoid clipping with this plugin before mixing & get professional sounding without doubt thats all

[@KoenDeJaeger]

Why do you say you should put the vu meter on a track between the generator plugin (serum, spire, an audio clip) and the effects (reverb, delay, some eq on that track). Isn't it supposed to just be always at the end of a track/channel in your DAW, just before the track/channel fader?

[@brycelondon]

Usually the plugins have an input level that works best. John Theaker commented about this under another video "...a crucial part of gain staging. That is… signals coming into the faders. Input gain on each track. If this exercise is not properly executed, any plugins that are inserted into each track (compressors, eqs, etc. ) will not be receiving an optimized signal. Most will be hit too hard at input and you will not get the best performance out of them. There is a general concurrence that before you begin mixing...with each track at unity (Odb) at the fader, a trim plug should be applied at the first insert and adjusted to read around -18db. This is where I've been informed that the "sweet spot" of most plugins live. In other words, this signal level is where.. at the plug's input.. you will get optimum performance of that plug. What he talks about here.. is the level the sum of the tracks delivers to the master fader. Proper gain staging for a mix starts with the track levels at the INPUT of the fader." kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5_LlKmbbrGVosU. kzbin.info

[@izvarzone]

should be after each effect, if they change volume.

[@jammer777]

izvarzone Use the output on the effect to keep volume consistent.

[@FirstnameLastname-dm2xl]

I didn't think gain staging mattered in daws because they have like near infinite floating points? Not too clued up about this tbh.

[@papa_da_engineer]

Hor Net true, daws do have near infinite floating. You do however want to alway monitor you master, because in the digital world (daws, computers) when you clip, and the clipping causes distortion, it doesnt sound good, its very noticable, you will hear it. In the anolog world (mixing boards, anolog gear) especially with hiphop, engineers push the faders on purpose to clip, because in the anolog world, a little clipping causes a nice sounding type of coloration ( harmonic distortion) this is due to the capacitors, transitors, and other hardware that a real electrical current is going through...vs a computer were the computer is compensation for that. Hope this long answer helps fam lol

[@FirstnameLastname-dm2xl]

Exactly so people with daws need not worry unless the daw is emulated to work like an analog desk and as far as I know there isn't one apart from maybe harrison mixbus or is there.

[@papa_da_engineer]

Hor Net sort of but not exactly. While mixing if you clip it can cause distortion, so still have to be carfull with how loud things are

[@FirstnameLastname-dm2xl]

Well if you lower the master fader or use any free metering plugin with a gain and lower the input that distortion will be gone so you don't really have to be careful unless you're talking about the master channel only then yes.

[@papa_da_engineer]

Hor Net yea master fader, darth fader lol

[@vagner3472]

Does it work in mono and stereo tracks?

[@killshy2624]

How do you do the group thing on logic?

[@sqwop]

or just insert a volume plugin on master buss and turn it down, same thing

[@tolgaguven3467]

It is my understanding that what you are suggesting would be post-insert. It would prevent the clipping on the master fader, but not necessarily the signal going into the plug-ins. Soi if the signal going to the plug-in on a specific track is too hot, it would need to be addressed separately. That being said, there are some famous names out there who do not even use gain staging...

[@sqwop]

@@tolgaguven3467 This only makes sense to me if the first plugin you're using doesn't have an input knob which most do I mean if all your inputs are coming in too hot to make ie. a compressor plugin react at it's lowest input level then you might want to tackle the issue at the source output or alternatively use this Hornet plugin or any channel volume plugin, either way I just go on what I hear and what others say but I haven't noticed any difference how plugins behave at different input levels, I mean if you're coming in hot and using plugin such as this Hornet or if you're coming in low and using gain on a plugin, when the plugin reacts it reacts the same way regardless that's just my opinion. I think this made more sense to those who used analogue consoles but with digital floating point characteristics in daws I don't think it works the same. But at the end of the day it's always good to work clean though so why not.

[@billys5965]

I'm in Sonar.

[@newguy6935]

The big question in my mind is: For the value you set in the Reference box (-18)- is that value actually -18 RMS or -18 Peak?

[@rasxiel2493]

rms

[@rasxiel2493]

the peak is -12

[@newguy6935]

???

[@newguy6935]

@@rasxiel2493 ???

[@JellyBags80]

@@newguy6935 It's aiming for -18RMS, but it will go lower than that to keep the peak below -12. Like if there was one spike, it'll push the whole track lower to keep the spike under -12. Pain in the behind. If that's the case, just manually fix that one spike with clip gain then run MK3. I just wish that after you hit auto it would tell you if it normalized to -18rms or if it had to deal with a peak...

[@babarsaadat]

Is this technique can work with hiphop trap production!

[@PintoMusicHTX]

Babar Saadat yes. Any genre

[@Drgmusic_]

We could have used a simple limiter instead!

[@PintoMusicHTX]

As an option yes. Workflow wise, not good.

[@Drgmusic_]

@@PintoMusicHTX This plugin is also just limiting the sound and nothing else.

[@JoergWessels]

The best part is at 9:52

[@massivebeatzz]

that's way too low for modern digital music production. you're downsampling music, giving up valuable bits.

[@lockee77]

Its not downsampling. Reducing some bits.... its leveling for have a good level for some plugins which work better on -18 than 0 db. The gain you can increase at the end in the masterbus after some treatmend... ;)