We at TBProAudio found us very often in mixing or mastering situations where we need to quickly identify the contribution of a certain plugin (FX) or even a complex FX chain to the sound.

Most DAWs can easily enable/disable (AB) single plugins or even whole FX chains, but in most case there is an audible loudness difference between both cases. In order to compare the impact of a plugin chain objectively the loudness of the incoming signal should match with the loudness of outgoing signal.

Comparing the plugin effect at equal loudness levels avoids the "louder is better" - pitfall.

Mode & Link Channel
Sets the mode of the plugin, either Sender or Receiver and the link channel for the communication. Sender is placed before the plugin(s) which should be AB level matched, Receiver is inserted after.

Latency Compensation
Some plugins add latency to the plugin chain. For a sample-exact AB loudness comparison audio streams need to be synchronized. This can be done automatically (just press PDC button and wait 1-2 seconds) or manually by entering the latency value (in samples).

Pre-FX Loudness
This meter shows the current and maximum loudness of the audio stream just before the plugin(s). Many plugins work best at a certain loudness level (e.g. -18 dBFS)

Post-FX Gain
This meter shows the loudness difference of pre and post-FX signal. The match button lets you set the additional post-FX gain (match mode "manual") based on current loudness difference. Match mode "Auto" does this automatically.

Match Modes
AB-LM lets you match the loudness either manually, or automatically.
The mode "Gain Stage" works differently: The additional FX drive gain is just removed from the audio stream right after the FX chain for "pure" gain staging purposes.

Snapshot Slots
AB_LM provides 4 snapshot slots to store and recall settings for FX drive and Post-FX gain. So you can test your plugin chain with different gain levels, all loudness matched.

FX Drive
This parameter adjusts the additional pre-FX gain.

AB Switch
This button lets you seamless switch between pre and pre-FX audio signal.

Pre-FX Gain
This meter shows how close the loudness of the incoming signal is matched with a certain reference level. Many engineers work with loudness calibrated audio systems.

Features
match pre and post-FX loudness
match pre-FX loudness with reference level
3 loudness match modes: manual, auto and gain stage
FX chain drive
up to 16 sender/receiver pairs
automatic latency measurement/compensation
adjustable RMS measurement window
bypass AB_LM
4 snapshot slots
very CPU friendly
large and easy to use GUI

Home page: tb-software.com/TBProAudio/ab_lm.html

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