TriMeter Plugin

TriMeter from Trident Audio Developments is a uniquely versatile and indispensable monitoring
tool, suited to a wide variety of audio applications and use cases. Through a selection of
meticulously implemented industry-established features, combined with a highly visual and
intuitive interface, TriMeter has been designed to enhance the many workflows and practices of
professional sound engineers, recording artists, content creators, and audio enthusiasts alike.

Features

VU Meters
TriMeter’s two VU displays, carefully modeled to match the specification and performance of
Trident’s legendary analog console meters, provide an essential function often overlooked in the
world of digital audio. Unlike the peak metering commonly found within DAW environments, VU
meters react similarly to the human ear, eEectively “averaging” or “smoothing” shorter
instantaneous peaks or transients for a more natural response. Referencing VU meters within
digital applications can often lead to clearer mixes and more natural sounding audio production.
With the ability to engage a 0 VU calibration of -18 dBFS at the touch of a button, TriMeter also
assists in achieving optimal gain structures and adequate headroom during recording.

PPM Meters
While VU metering offers many benefits such as those listed above, PPM or Peak Program
Metering can often provide a clearer indication of more rapid level changes and problematic spikes.
Not to to be confused with the peak metering capabilities of a DAW, PPM meters can and will still
mask the briefest of spikes or transients, instead offering a somewhat complimentary reference to
that of VU. TriMeter’s dual PPM implementations, located directly underneath each VU meter,
perform similarly to those found in classic Trident analog consoles, while additionally offering a
hybrid “clip hold” or over-level indicator for signals exceeding the equivalent of 0 dBFS.

LUFS Meter (Integrated)
LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is the most modern method – and the industry standard – for
measuring and specifying loudness. While legacy metering such as VU and PPM still forms an
essential part of producing great sounding mixes and audio projects within digital environments,
the majority of broadcast and online streaming content platforms specify a “target” LUFS value,
which can vary greatly between organizations. Online creators, such as podcasters or content
producers for streaming applications, are increasingly tasked with meeting such targets. Unlike
other providers of LUFS measurement software applications and plugins, who often develop
complex (and often extremely expensive) solutions to highly specialized industry users, TriMeter’s
unique LUFS display implementation – while engineered to the exacting specifications of the
standard – offers a simple and visually intuitive method for monitoring integrated LUFS throughout a
program, performance, or project of any duration.

Linear Output Gain Control
Located in the center of the TriMeter graphical interface is a rotary output gain control. With +/- 18
dB of linear gain adjustment, channel gain can be decreased or increased to meet any number of
requirements, without adding any coloration, non-linear distortion, or “box sound” to the audio
itself.

Mono Summing
Summing two channels of (stereo) audio to mono is a technique often used within audio
engineering, mixing, and production. For example, it can be an effective way of subjectively
assessing the balance of left and right panned tracks and content within a stereo mix or project.
TriMeter offers a convenient one-button sum toggle function, when two input channels are being
processed.

Polarity Toggle
TriMeter offers a one-button polarity toggle function, often extremely useful for diagnosing and
correcting audible phase issues resulting from microphone placement or cabling errors.

Example Applications
• Add TriMeter to any track for Trident console-modeled VU and PPM metering
• Add TriMeter to a stereo bus/master, using LUFS integrating measurement to assess
   loudness targets for music production, podcasts, and streaming content
• Activate high headroom VU monitoring (-18 dBFS) when tracking to assist with obtaining a
   well-balanced, distortion-free mix
• Add TriMeter to any stereo track and toggle the Mono Sum mode to assist with balancing
   individual elements or pans within a mix
• Add TriMeter to any stereo or mono track to make simple tweaks to gain or invert polarity
• Map parameters to a control surface for quick and easy operation