RDGAudio has introduced Speaker Vibrator, a freeware audio visualizer utility in VST plugin for Windows-based DAWs.
When I first saw the Speaker Vibrator plugin by RDGAudio, I thought that it was perhaps a rotary cabinet or a pitch modulation effect. After the reading the description, however, I learned that this freeware VST plugin is a visualizer and measurement tool, and a rather unusual one, to say the least.
Other than determining the VU, peak, and RMS values, this plugin features a 3D display of a pair of stereo speaker monitors that react to the input signal’s amplitude. The two sliders control the volume and pan, allowing the user to isolate the left or right channel. These features can be automated by the host application, if desired.
That said, I’m honestly not sure how this plugin is useful beyond being a very basic sound meter, or a visualizer that you’d use purely for fun. I’ve never seen any other product or plugin called a Speaker Vibrator, so I’m not exactly sure what they were going for here.
What I do know is that some engineers actually study how their mixes affect the way speakers react during playback. If they are mixing on headphones or a less than optimum monitoring set up, having a visual reference may be of use to some. For example, if you wanted to make sure your kick drum clearly cuts through the mix, other than using your ears, seeing that woofer punching in and out would give you added reassurance.
Unfortunately, the link to the YouTube video demonstration on RDG’s website does not work at the moment, so you’ll have to download it yourself at test it in your digital audio workstation of choice. The only catch is that, despite the description saying it is supported by all major DAWs, Speaker Vibrator only works in Windows-based host applications.
Speaker Vibrator is available for free download via RDGAudio (8.27 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin format for Windows).
