Utility Plugins

Basic gain, pan, metering, and routing tools. Simple plugins that do one thing well. Often the most-used plugins in a mix.

Overview

Property	Value
Control Count	2-5
Complexity	Low
Visualizer	Meter Gradient (optional)
Layout	Minimal

Typical Controls

Control	Widget	Range	Notes
Gain	Knob	-24 to +24 dB	Primary control
Pan	Knob (bipolar)	L to R	If stereo
Level Meter	Visualizer	-	Visual feedback
Bypass	Toggle	On/Off	Standard

Recommended Visualizer

Primary: Meter Gradient

• Shows level accurately
• Professional metering
• Doesn’t distract

Alternative: Meter Segments for vintage aesthetic

Or: No visualizer - sometimes simplest is best

Layout Pattern

Recommended: Minimal

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│                             │
│         GAIN               │
│                             │
│         [====]              │
│          knob               │
│                             │
│    [meter]    [bypass]      │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Keep it simple. Utility plugins don’t need visual flair.

Example Plugins

• Gain - Simple level adjustment
• Trim - Input/output gain staging
• Pan - Stereo positioning
• Phase - Polarity inversion
• Stereo Width - Mid/side width control
• M/S Encoder/Decoder - Mid/side conversion
• Utility - Gain + pan combined

Design Tips

Keep It Simple

• Fewer controls = better
• Every control should be essential
• No decoration

Professional Aesthetic

• Clean, minimal design
• Neutral colors (gray, blue)
• Clear, readable labels

Fast Workflow

• Users grab utilities constantly
• Make controls obvious
• Big enough to adjust quickly

Control Names

Keep technical names for utilities - users expect clarity:

Control	Name
Gain	GAIN or LEVEL
Pan	PAN
Width	WIDTH
Phase	PHASE or Ø

Color Suggestions

• Accent: Blue or neutral gray
• Background: Dark gray
• Vibe: Professional, clean

Common Mistakes

❌ Adding unnecessary features ❌ Overly stylized design ❌ Decorative visualizers ❌ Evocative names (too playful for utility)

✅ One purpose, done well ✅ Clean, professional look ✅ Clear labeling ✅ Fast to use

Variations

Gain Utility

Controls: Gain knob, meter, bypass
Size: Small (260×300)

Pan Tool

Controls: Pan knob (bipolar), width, bypass
Size: Small (280×320)

Stereo Utility

Controls: Gain, pan, width, phase flip, mono button
Size: Medium (340×360)