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Bute Loudness Suite by Signum Audio Review

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Bute Loudness Suite by Signum Audio Review

Bute Loudness Suite (Surround Version) by Signum Audio Review

Bute Loudness Suite qualifies you for the loudness war with an integrated solution containing an Analyser, a True Peak Limiter, and Normaliser. This suite provides you with the tool to measure and adjust the loudness depending on where you want to publish the track for example a streaming platform YouTube or TV.

Any sound professional worth their salt knows that audio is key in any project, but how that audio is mixed is just as crucial. Loudness standards play an important role in the success of a project, no matter to who the project is being delivered.

In order to maintain a dynamic mix that meets industry standards, Scotland-based Signum Audio has developed tools such as the Bute Loudness Analyser and Bute Loudness Normaliser to ensure compliance with streaming and broadcasting standards. The plugins are available separately or in a bundle called Bute Loudness Suite. With these tools at your disposal, you can rest assured that your mix will be compliant with all the necessary standards.

As any audio engineer knows, the sound is a complex phenomenon. In order to create a mix that sounds good on multiple devices and meets all the necessary compliance standards, it is essential to have a deep understanding of how sound works. Loudness normalization is one tool that can be used to help ensure that a mix sounds good on all types of speakers. By matching the loudness of the mix to the target specification, engineers can be confident that the mix will sound its best on any system.

However, it is important to note that loudness normalization should never be used as a substitute for meeting compliance standards at the mixing stage. In order to create a truly great mix, engineers need to understand both the science and art of sound.

Bute Loudness Suite Review

With Bute Loudness Suite (from Edinburgh, Scotland) released their first plugin suite. Audio is a crucial element of any professional project, and the way it is mixed can make all the difference. Loudness standards are important for ensuring that a project is successful, no matter who the audience is.

Signum Audio, based in Scotland, has developed tools like the Bute Loudness Analyser and Bute Loudness Normaliser to help with compliance with streaming and broadcasting standards.

The plugins are available separately or in a bundle called Bute Loudness Suite. Having these tools on hand can help to ensure that your project meets all the necessary requirements for loudness, giving you the best chance at success.

Bute Loudness Suite – Installation

After download, you install the plugin suite and authorize the plugin with the key you receive after purchase. Bute Loudness Suite is a Mac OSx and Windows development. The plugin works as an AAX, AU, VST, and VST3 and in Pro Tools it supports AudioSuite. All major DAWs are supported: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, Cubase, Ableton and more. It comes in two versions – Stereo or Surround (which includes an additional 5.1 and 7.1 support). We examined the Surround version which provides for other 5.1 and 7.1.

Bute Loudness Suite by Signum Audio InstallBute Loudness Suite by Signum Audio Install

Bute Loudness Suite Review

There are many presets included to allow you to produce results for different platforms. Many of the needed target platforms and their loudness requirements are supported and can be extended later. Overall those presets are essential to produce with the target levels required for the platform you want to publish.

The presets fit with all revisions of ITU-R BS.1770 and fully support EBU R-128, ATSC A/85, OP-59, ARIB TR-B32, AGCOM 219/09/CSP, Public Radio (PRSS), expanded AES recommendation for streaming presets with a short form variant, added Sony Gaming preset for PS4 and PS Vita (ASWG).

Bute Loudness Suite by Signum Audio Review PresetsBute Loudness Suite Presets

The built-in limiter makes sure that the result does not clip. Instead of the built-in limiter, I may use an additional limiter I have. However, if you do not want to invest in a third-party limiter you are all set.

The most useful would be to use the tool as an AudioSuite plugin in Pro Tools, where you index one whole album to check if the overall loudness of all tracks is excellent, you can then normalize the entire album. This is very convenient and helps masters to produce. This is a Pro Tools-only function and will not work (yet) in other DAWs, but many do use Pro Tools for mastering, so it is a tremendous help for the mastering process.

The suite allows you to produce a consistent master where you reduce level shifting with the limiter you prevent clipping. The Surround version does also support ASWG 5.1 and 7.1 Surround Sound.

Bute Loudness Suite – User interface & Usability

When you start the suit the UI is pretty straightforward, to measure the signal you need to press play in your DAW – just playing in your software synthesizer or sample player will not “move the needle” or show anything. The reason for this is that the analyzer stores the track, this is excellent as you can jump back and forth on the track and make adjustments where needed.

The loudness graph is one of the most useful features of the interface. It shows you at a glance how your mixes are progressing, and it also allows you to make fine adjustments to the levels of individual tracks.

The best thing about it is that it uses an automatic re-metering system, so you don’t have to keep adjusting the levels manually. You can even set alerts for particular audio events, such as true peak levels or thresholds of short-term loudness. This means that you can make sure that your mixes are always sounding their best, without having to worry about making mistakes.

Bute Loudness Suite by Signum Audio Wide ViewBute Loudness Suite Full View

There is an integrated help system that jumps through the settings and explains them, instead of climbing through the possibilities an overview and overlayed help with pop-up help text would be for me more useful. The plugin can be switched into the compact mode, removing the analyzer section and only showing you the numbers.

Conclusion

While it’s self-evident that the most important tool for mixing is the human ear, it’s also true that the ear can be easily fooled. As a consequence it continues to be essential to support those critical listening skills with a reliable reference metering system: specifically, one that can analyze the ‘loudness’ of the material against the appropriate parameters for the various media streaming platforms that dominate the consumer music experience today.

The current loudness standards were developed with broadcast television in mind and are now being adopted by many online streaming services. This has led to a need for metering systems that can accurately measure against these new standards. In order to produce a mix that will sound its best on all platforms, it’s essential to have a metering system that can provide an accurate Loudness measurement.

Additionally, many modern metering systems also offer features such as True Peak measurement, which can be helpful in avoiding distortion on digital platforms. Whatever your budget or needs, make sure you invest in a good quality reference metering system to help you achieve professional results.

The Bute Loudness Suite by Signum Audio is an excellent tool for ensuring that your audio mixes are always sounding their best. It comes with a variety of presets that allow you to produce results for different platforms, and the built-in limiter ensures that your mixes don’t clip. The UI is straightforward and easy to use, andY NOW

the integrated help system is very helpful. Overall, the Bute Loudness Suite is a great tool for anyone who wants to produce professional-sounding audio mixes.

BUTE Loudness Suite is a powerful audio limiting plugin that helps studios, media, and broadcasting producers mix and master professional audio within loudness specifications. The plugin is smart, integrated, and responsive, making it easy to use and delivering the tools you need to produce great-sounding audio.

The plugin features an intuitive interface that makes it easy to get started, and the plugin’s video tutorial will help you get up to speed quickly. The plugin also features a number of advanced features, including the ability to create custom presets and adjust the noise floor. If you’re looking for a plugin that can help you produce great-sounding audio within loudness specifications, then BUTE Loudness Suite 2 is a perfect choice.

Rating: Four out of five stars

Bute Loudness Suite prepares you for the loudness war that is happening and may not go away any time soon. Compared to other tools we review this bundle comes at an exciting price point and includes the tools you need to manage the dynamic range of the master track as well as keep the loudness up to the level your customer does expect it to be. The plugin support AudioSuite is excellent, the same feature support is needed in other DAWs.

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69% OFF BUTE Limiter 2 (VST/AU/AAX) by Signum Audio

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69% OFF BUTE Limiter 2 (VST/AU/AAX) by Signum Audio

BUTE Limiter 2 delivers high fidelity, ultra-transparent True Peak Brickwall narrowing with a streamlined and sleek user interface. BUTE’s center is on eliminating distortion while retaining the characteristics of your audio naturally.

69 OFF BUTE Limiter 2 VSTAUAAX by Signum Audio 970x250 1
69% OFF BUTE Limiter 2 (VST/AU/AAX) by Signum Audio 51

BUTE Limiter 2 includes a ​Pre Gain​ to push or reduce the incoming signal’s volume before Limiting as well as Post Gain​ that will be applied after limiting. The plugin can be configured to highlight either the limiter output or the overall output, that is limiter output with applied Post Gain. So whether you like to push the limiter via Pre Gain like a maximiser, or limit your signal and then use Post Gain to make up for the change in volume – BUTE Limiter 2 provides you with a streamlined display for your workflow.

For only $24.99 (normally $80), get BUTE Limiter 2 (Affiliate Link) by Signum Audio!

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69% OFF BUTE Limiter 2 (VST/AU/AAX) by Signum Audio 52

Comprehensive yet flexible UI
Get in-depth analysis or a compact read-out. BUTE Limiter 2 features an interactive ​history view​ for examining True Peak, Gain Reduction, Threshold, and output readings – choose to see an overview or zoom in to a particular part. If any True Peak overshoots are introduced via the Post-Gain functionality, BUTE Limiter 2 will flag them up in the history with warnings. The history view also supports re-metering via automatic DAW sync and will update the readings when the limiter settings are altered, showing how the new settings will affect your audio.

Whether you like to push the limiter via Pre Gain like a maximizer, or limit your signal and then use Post Gain to make up for the change in volume – BUTE Limiter 2 (Affiliate Link) provides you with a streamlined display for your workflow.

Pricing and Availability

Get BUTE Limiter 2 (Affiliate Link) now for only $24.99 (you save $55) – limited time offer, don’t miss out!

69 OFF BUTE Limiter 2 VSTAUAAX by Signum Audio 728x90 1
69% OFF BUTE Limiter 2 (VST/AU/AAX) by Signum Audio 53

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Signum Audio’s New BUTE Loudness Suite 2 – Smart, Convincing Loudness Metering and True Peak Brickwall Limiter for Post-Production

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BUTE Loudness Suite 2

Smart, Convincing Loudness Metering and True Peak Brickwall Limiter for Post-Production

Signum Audio release today BUTE Loudness Suite 2 (BUTE-LS2) and BUTE Loudness Analyser 2 (BUTE-LA2), major updates to previous versions, making the mixing and mastering journey even smoother.

BUTE Loudness Suite 2 is a smart, integrated and responsive loudness metering and audio limiting plugin that delivers the tools studios, media, and broadcasting producers need to mix and master professional audio within loudness specifications.

Many producers are moving towards mixing and mastering within loudness specs set internally or by major streaming and broadcasting platforms for quality assurance. By providing metering and limiting functions in the same plugin with smart workflow features to maintain creative flow, BUTE helps optimize the quality of mixes and masters, while avoiding potential distortions downstream.

New in BUTE Loudness Suite 2

The Suite 2 will not overwrite your previous version of BUTE Loudness Suite, so you can have the two plugins running in parallel and not worry about previous projects.

  • New integrated limiting functionality within the main user interface allowing configuration of auto-adaptive release, post-gain, and selection Transparent, Natural and Smooth curves presets (not in BUTE-LA2)
  • New display settings within the main user interface, including new True Peak/LUFS Metering view, Relative/Absolute Scale, and Max/Live modes
  • New Dynamic Range reading as requested by users
  • Improved compatibility with a wide range of DAWs (VST / AU / AAX including AudioSuite)
  • Auto-syncs to DAW on load-up so plugin engages on launch
  • Improved window resizability in full and compact read-out view to optimize screen estate when using multiple programs
  • The compact read-out view retains access to limiting controls
  • Ability to switch tooltips on and off 
  • Simplified read-outs for added clarity
  • Better responsiveness all-round
  • Surround version – auto-detects channel configuration you are using and lets you select the configuration from the drop-down menu in main display to test inputs for up to 7.1.2 Atmos
  • Industry-standard (IEC 60268-18) meter bar fallback behaviour or more natural feel

The Loudness Suite 2 includes Bute Limiter 2,  Bute Normaliser, and Bute Analyser 2 with a bonus integrated TP Limiting feature.  Smart, powerful loudness metering and True Peak Brickwall limiting toolkit for post-production.

BUTE Loudness Suite 2 Settings
Signum Audio's New BUTE Loudness Suite 2 - Smart, Convincing Loudness Metering and True Peak Brickwall Limiter for Post-Production 63

Where can you use BUTE Loudness Suite 2

Mixing & Mastering

  • Produce consistent masters
  • Avoid ‘level shifting’ and clipping downstream
  • Ensure accurate representation of your audio/music
  • Measure and refine dynamic content

Post-production & Broadcasting

  • Hit target levels easily with a wide range of implemented presets
  • Ensure and prove compliance with regulation
  • Balance dialogue, music and effects
  • Manage live broadcasting & streaming levels accurately and efficiently
  • Optimise dynamics for streaming content

Game Design

  • Balance sound effects and dialogue
  • ASWG 5.1 and 7.1 Surround Sound support (Surround Version)
BUTE Loudness Suite 2 small UI
Signum Audio's New BUTE Loudness Suite 2 - Smart, Convincing Loudness Metering and True Peak Brickwall Limiter for Post-Production 64

Key Features of BUTE Loudness Suite 2

  • Integrated True Peak limiter and loudness metering in one plugin
  • Smart history overview for completely interactive browsing of up to 10-hours of loudness data at a glance
  • The custom alert system flags up areas that need attention with severe (red) or warning (yellow) pointer on the historical overview. User settings can be defined in the settings panel.
  • A smart auto re-metering feature that syncs to DAW on load-up, and auto-detects and reflects any adjustments you make in the DAW on the graphical display
  • Powerful compact read-out view which is completely resizable vertically and horizontally to optimize screen space while keeping readings visible and limiting settings accessible
  • An adaptive auto-release function can be tweaked by a scale factor using the release knob, enabling fine-tuning
  • Ultra-transparent True Peak limiting algorithm means mastered audio stays faithful to the original mix
  • 3 different release curves for Transparent, Natural, and Smooth limiting (BL2 includes an additional “Pumping” and “Linear” release curves for creative music production)
  • Display Settings on the main user interface to switch between True Peak/Metering, Relative/Absolute Scale, or Max/Live modes
  • A highly responsive and informative graphical interface
  • Auto-detects DAW channel configuration with a dropdown menu to select mono, stereo or surround configurations (Surround Version)
  • A wide array of built-in presets for the very latest loudness standards and recommendations
  • Highest quality linear phase upsampling
  • Industry-standard (IEC 60268-18) meter bar fallback for a natural, analog feel
  • Clean and comprehensive read-outs for short-term & momentary loudness, True Peak, and traditional RMS
  • Reloadable session data
  • Save, Load and Export metering data
  • Includes additional copies of BUTE Loudness Normaliser standalone application and BUTE Limiter 2 plugin
  • Available in Stereo or Surround version. The Surround version expands support for multi-channel configurations up to Atmos 7.1.2
  • Available for Windows 7 or higher and Mac OSx 10.9 Lion or higher
  • Compatible with VST / VST3 / AU / AAX (including Audio Suite)
  • Pro Tools 12.5 or higher for Audio Suite format
  • Free future updates

BUTE-LS and BUTE-LA Existing Users

The update will be sent out free to all existing users of BUTE-LS and BUTE-LA. If you have purchased a BUTE plugin from us before, Signum Audio would be happy to offer a discount on the upgrade. Just get in touch with Signum Audio using the email you are registered with, at support@signumaudio.com.

Pricing and Availability

The new BUTE Loudness Suite 2 is available now.

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BUTE Loudness Normaliser is MAGIC for Audio Broadcast Standards

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BUTE Loudness Normaliser

The Bute Loudness Normaliser is a high-end standalone application for Windows and Mac, assisting post-production engineers with the final checks of the mastering journey. With our automated solution, you can rest assured your audio is on point before submission in just a few clicks.

Signum Audio’s Bute Loudness Normaliser is absolutely magic. It’s 2step loudness normalization for a large assortment of loudness standards. Radio, TV, Netflix, Youtube, Spotify, iTunes, and many more, these plugins get your perfect results in a few clicks.

Note: This product is the Stereo version. The Surround Sound version of Bute Loudness Analyser is also available.

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