Youlean Loudness Meter
Key Features
- ITU-R BS.1770 compliant LUFS metering with Integrated, Momentary, and Short-Term loudness readouts alongside True Peak, Loudness Range, Dynamic Range, and Peak-to-Loudness Ratio
- Built-in presets for Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Apple Podcast, Tidal, Deezer, Netflix, HBO, Disney+, and broadcast standards including EBU R128, ATSC A/85, and custom film/TV/gaming targets
- Real-time histogram and loudness distribution graphs that track loudness changes over the full duration of a session, with automatic loudness overdub detection
- Fully resizable and scalable GUI with a compact mini view option, allowing the meter to adapt from a small corner insert to a full secondary-monitor display
- Supports mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround content with extremely low CPU consumption, suitable for always-on master bus monitoring
- Dynamic Range graph that detects over-compressed or squashed mixes, providing visual feedback on whether a master retains healthy dynamics
- Available as a standalone application and command line tool in addition to VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin formats across macOS and Windows
Description
Youlean Loudness Meter 2 is a precision loudness metering plugin that measures perceived audio loudness using LUFS, True Peak, Loudness Range, and Dynamic Range. It was originally created for the KVR Developer Challenge 2016, where it won first place, and has since become an industry standard trusted by thousands of recording studios worldwide.
The plugin ships with presets for every major delivery target, including Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, Netflix, HBO, Disney+, and broadcast standards like EBU R128 and ATSC A/85. It satisfies all requirements defined in the ITU-R BS.1770 specification, ensuring measurements are fully compliant with international loudness standards.
Beyond basic metering, it provides histogram and distribution graphs that visualize loudness changes over time, making it straightforward to identify problem sections in a mix. The resizable and scalable GUI adapts to any screen setup, from a compact mini view to a full-screen display on a secondary monitor.
The plugin handles mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround content while maintaining minimal CPU usage, so it can stay inserted on the master bus throughout an entire session. It also runs as a standalone application and command line tool for offline analysis workflows.
The free version includes all core metering functions, film and TV presets, histogram graphs, and GUI customization. A Pro version ($47) adds streaming presets, drag-and-drop file analysis, A/B comparison states, dark and light themes, custom preset saving, and PDF/PNG/SVG export for client-ready loudness reports.
Video Preview
Tips
- Use the LUFS measurement to ensure your audio meets the loudness standards of your target platform.
- Utilize the histogram and distribution graphs to monitor loudness changes over time.
- Apply the A/B states feature to compare different versions of your mix.
- Customize the user interface to fit your workflow preferences.
- Export loudness data in PDF, PNG, or SVG formats for easy reporting and analysis.
- Take advantage of the streaming presets to ensure your audio sounds great on all major platforms.
- Monitor the dynamic range graph to avoid over-compression and maintain audio quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the free and Pro versions of Youlean Loudness Meter?
The free version includes all core metering readouts (LUFS, True Peak, LRA, DR), film and TV presets, histogram and distribution graphs, resizable GUI, and mini view. The Pro version adds streaming platform presets, drag-and-drop offline file analysis, A/B comparison states, dark and light themes, custom preset saving, text scaling, and the ability to export loudness reports as PDF, PNG, or SVG files.
How accurate is Youlean Loudness Meter compared to paid metering tools?
Youlean Loudness Meter satisfies all requirements defined in the ITU-R BS.1770 document, which is the same international standard that paid broadcast meters must comply with. Users on professional audio forums consistently report that its readings match those of expensive reference tools like Nugen VisLM and WaveLab's built-in metering.
Can Youlean Loudness Meter analyze an entire audio file at once without playing it back?
In the Pro version, you can drag and drop an audio file directly onto the plugin for instant offline analysis, getting full LUFS and True Peak results in seconds without real-time playback. The free version requires real-time playback through the plugin to complete an analysis.
Does Youlean Loudness Meter support surround sound formats?
Yes, the plugin supports mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround content. Version 2.5 and later also added support for 7.1 surround and Dolby Atmos channel configurations, making it suitable for film, TV, and immersive audio post-production workflows.
