Meter Gradient
Smooth gradient VU-style level meter with peak hold indicator. Professional metering for mixing and mastering with color gradient from green (safe) through yellow (hot) to red (clipping).
Overview
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| ID | 2 |
| Category | Metering |
| Best For | Utility, Mastering, Mixing, Dynamics |
| Aspect Ratio | Tall (2×6 minimum) |
What It Shows
Real-time audio level with smooth gradient coloring. Peak indicator holds briefly to show maximum levels. Essential for any plugin that affects signal level.
Best Plugin Types
✅ Recommended for:
- Utility plugins - Gain, trim, pan
- Mastering tools - Level monitoring
- Mixing plugins - Channel strips
- Compressors - Show gain reduction
- Limiters - Show limiting activity
- Gain plugins - Before/after comparison
❌ Not recommended for:
- Creative effects - Too utilitarian
- Lo-Fi plugins - Too clinical for vintage vibe
Color Mapping
| Color Property | What It Controls |
|---|---|
bodyColor | Meter background |
trackColor | Low level color (green zone) |
activeColor | Mid level color (yellow zone) |
pointerColor | High/clip level color (red zone) |
Traditional Colors
- Green → Yellow → Red gradient is standard
- Users immediately understand the meaning
- Deviation from this can cause confusion
Configuration Options
Orientation
- Options:
horizontal,vertical - Default:
vertical - Tip: Vertical is traditional for level meters. Horizontal saves vertical space.
Clip Threshold
- Range: 0.7-1.0
- Default: 0.9
- Tip: Lower threshold (0.7-0.8) warns earlier about hot levels.
Peak Hold
- Range: 0-1 (hold duration)
- Default: 0.5
- Tip: Longer hold makes transients easier to spot.
Sizing
| Size | Dimensions | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 2×6 (vertical) | Compact |
| Standard | 2×8 (vertical) | Most plugins |
| Wide | 3×8 (vertical) | Prominent metering |
For horizontal: flip width/height.
Example Uses
- Compressor - Show gain reduction alongside threshold
- Limiter - Show how much limiting is occurring
- Channel strip - Input/output metering
- Gain utility - Simple level display
- Mastering chain - Monitor levels throughout
Design Tips
- Pair with dynamics - Essential for compressors/limiters
- Input AND output - Show both for level comparison
- Don’t oversized - Meters should inform, not dominate
- Vertical is natural - Users expect vertical level meters
Stereo Metering
For stereo plugins, use two meters side by side:
- Left meter for L channel
- Right meter for R channel
- Or single meter showing sum/max
Similar Visualizers
- Meter Segments - LED-style alternative for vintage aesthetic