VU

Name: VU
Author: UnplugRed

by UnplugRed · Utility · VU meter

Not rated yet

VU is a free, open-source VU meter from UnplugRed.

It has stereo and mono modes, a scalable interface, adjustable speed and nominal level, and a peak LED.

Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Drum Bus. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: metering, utility, free, open source, resizable UI, analog-sounding, bus processing, CPU-light, full mix, drum bus, mastering, mix bus, mixing, simple.

What it does

VU is a free, open-source analog-style VU meter from UnplugRed, which calls it a "very simple and to the point vu meter". The idea is a needle meter that behaves like hardware, for gain staging rather than loudness compliance.

True RMS metering: the needle reads the average level of the signal, not its peaks, the way a hardware VU meter does.
Ballistics: a needle simulation that copies the rise and fall of an analog meter, with adjustable reaction speed.
Nominal operating level: set the level that reads 0 VU, so you can calibrate the meter to the reference your analog-modelled plugins expect.
Peak LED: a warning light for peaks the slow needle can miss; it lights above 0 dBFS, not 0 VU.
Stereo or mono: two needles for stereo, or a single needle for mono.
Scalable UI: drag the corner to resize the meter.

Version 1.3 is free and open source under GPL 3; the free build shows a small banner.

Source: UnplugRed product page

When to use it

VU is the pick when you only want a needle that shows average level while you set gain into compressors, tape and console emulations. Unlike bx_meter, it has no correlation, balance or loudness readouts, and unlike Youlean Loudness Meter 2 or WLM Plus Loudness Meter it does not measure LUFS or true peak for delivery. Compared with Insight 2 it does one thing, but it is free and light on CPU. Its realistic ballistics make it feel like hardware, which also means it is not a precise measuring tool.

Best for: gain staging into analog-modelled plugins, checking average levels on tracks and buses, and anyone who likes working to a needle.
Genres: any.
Look elsewhere if: you need loudness targets, true-peak readings or a full metering suite; Youlean Loudness Meter 2 or Insight 2 does that.

What producers say

The one write-up found treats it as a good-looking free meter for gain staging rather than a precise measuring tool.

Integraudio listed it among the best free gain-staging and VU meters, praising its "good RMS metering", the LED, the stereo and mono modes and the low CPU use.
Criticisms: the same article noted the needle can overshoot because of its "excessive realism", and said users who need an accurate VU meter should look elsewhere.