K-Meter by MeterPlugs K-System metering plugin interface

K-Meter: K-System Metering Plugin by MeterPlugs

Rated 4.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (138 ratings)

K-Meter is a metering plugin by MeterPlugs that follows the K-System, a method pioneered by Bob Katz for measuring loudness and dynamic range. It offers loudness, true-peak and RMS readings for mixing and mastering.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

K-Meter focuses your attention on loudness and dynamic range rather than maximum peak level. It supports the K-System with its K-12, K-14 and K-20 scales, so you can match the meter to the genre and delivery format you are working toward. The plugin also includes ITU BS.1770 stereo loudness metering, true-peak detection and a pink noise generator for calibrating studio monitors. Its interface can be collapsed when screen space is limited.

Best for

K-System mixing
Mastering loudness checks
Monitor calibration
Broadcast loudness metering
Inter-sample peak detection

Developer: MeterPlugs
Category: Metering
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Full K-System support with K-12, K-14 and K-20 scales
ITU BS.1770 stereo loudness metering
True-peak metering with up to four times upsampling
AES-17 RMS metering
Pink noise generation for monitor calibration
Numeric average and peak displays
Clip indicators
Adjustable peak hold and release
Collapsible interface

03In depth

K-System Metering and Dynamic Range

K-Meter is built around the K-System, a metering approach pioneered by mastering engineer Bob Katz. Instead of maximizing peak levels, the K-System shifts the focus to loudness and dynamic range.

The plugin offers three scales. K-12 suits broadcast and radio, K-14 suits mainstream pop, rock and country, and K-20 suits film, classical and high-fidelity recordings. Moving from K-12 to K-20 provides increasing dynamic range, so you can pick the scale that fits your material.

Loudness, True-Peak and RMS Readings

For loudness, K-Meter supports ITU BS.1770 in stereo, which measures perceived loudness by accounting for the ear's varying sensitivity to different frequencies.

For peaks, the true-peak mode upsamples the audio up to four times before detecting peaks, which can reveal inter-sample clipping that standard peak meters miss. AES-17 RMS metering, numeric average and peak displays, clip indicators and adjustable peak hold and release round out the metering tools.

Pink noise generation outputs signal through each channel so you can calibrate your monitors. A third-party sound pressure meter is needed to set accurate levels, and the manual describes the procedure.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	MeterPlugs
Type	Plugin
Category	Metering
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is the K-System?

The K-System is a metering method pioneered by mastering engineer Bob Katz. It focuses on loudness and dynamic range rather than peak level, and offers K-12, K-14 and K-20 scales for different genres and delivery formats.

Which formats and operating systems does K-Meter support?

K-Meter is available as VST2, Audio Unit and AAX on macOS, and as VST2 and AAX on Windows. The plugin is 64-bit. On Mac it requires macOS 10.7 or later, and the AAX version requires Pro Tools 10.3.7 or later.

What do I need to run K-Meter?

You need a DAW that supports AAX, Audio Unit or VST 2.4 plugins. Windows XP SP3 or later and macOS 10.7 or later are the listed operating system requirements.

Can K-Meter calibrate my studio monitors?

Yes. K-Meter outputs pink noise through each channel to help with calibration. A third-party sound pressure meter is needed to set accurate levels, and the manual has details.