PSP Audioware VintageMeter [Freeware]

PSP's VintageMeter is a free plug-in that is available to just about all DAW users. It can be used on either a Mac or PC, and comes in either VST, RTAS, MAS, and AU formats for Mac, and VST, RTAS, and Direct X for PC, so as you can probably tell just about all ends are covered here. It will only take a few minutes to download and install this plug-in straight from PSP's website, as it only took me a short while before I had the plug-in installed and ready to go in my Pro Tools LE rig. The interface is simple, consisting of just two VU meters for left and right, as well as a switch for either VU or PPM mode. You can also tweak the metering beyond this with a variety of other parameters as well that aren't on the main screen of the plug-in. A manual is not necessary under any circumstances with VintageMeter.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Right now I'm running this plug-in on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run PSP VintageMeter in Pro Tools LE 8 that runs with a Digi 002R audio interface. It is also worth noting that I used to run a VST version of this plug-in in Cubase SX on a Hewlett Packard Pavilion dv8000 lap top. Although my current system runs a lot smoother in general, in both systems I've been able to run the plug-in without hiccups. It doesn't take up much processing power at all, so I'd be surprised if all users out there weren't able to run it.

OVERALL OPINION

While the PSP VintageMeter doesn't do much beyond show you your levels, what it does do it does it very well. It has a cool look, that as the name states is inspired by vintage VU meters. This plug-in isn't a necessary one as most DAWs will have built in metering, but if you're looking for something a bit different looking to add to your DAW I really don't see a reason why you shouldn't check out VintageMeter. Again, this isn't a necessary plug-in to have, but at the price of being free, I'd recommend grabbing it anyway.