DSpatial Sonda is a multipoint level meter for Pro Tools that provides peak, RMS, True Peak, and loudness readings, allowing you to compare multiple stems from a single interface. Includes an Audio Suite version with limiting and leveling.
Purpose and Overview
DSpatial Sonda is a multipoint level meter designed for comparing levels across different points in a mix. It provides peak, RMS, True Peak, and loudness measurements, all accessible from a single interface. A dedicated Audio Suite version adds program limiting and leveling capabilities.
The plugin offers two display modes: Independent, where each stem is shown separately, and Interleaved, where stems are grouped by output. This flexibility lets you monitor complex mixes from both a stem-level and a grouped-output perspective, making it easier to spot imbalances or inconsistencies.
Key Capabilities
The primary function is comparative level measurement using a patchbay mechanism. You insert probes at desired plugin insertion points and select them via a menu. Up to six connections can be active simultaneously in a single instance, and each insertion can be patched independently without restrictions.
This allows for comparing different stem types, including mutually inclusive or exclusive cases. For loudness, the plugin measures Momentary (0.4-second window), Short-Term (3-second rectangular window), and Integrated (400ms window with 75% overlap and gating). True Peak and loudness are compliant with ITU-R BS.1770-4.
Workflow and Customization
The Audio Suite version provides offline analysis and processing. It delivers smooth loudness optimization and generates a report with comments on the process. The report details information by channel and includes a summary of loudness analysis, covering five measurement types: Momentary Maximum, Momentary Average, Short-Term Maximum, Short-Term Average, and Integrated loudness.
Customization is extensive. You can rename each probe point, adjust meter ballistics (gain, attack, decay), and define scale appearance, density, and number. The range control lets you emphasize or eliminate specific level ranges, such as focusing on the hi-end or a middle zone, and the test display allows real-time verification of changes.
Practical Applications
Sonda is suited for mixing and mastering engineers who need to compare levels across multiple stems, such as dialogue, music, and effects, to ensure consistency. The interleaved mode is useful for checking how stems sum together at the output, while independent mode aids in isolating individual issues.
The Audio Suite’s offline processing is designed for loudness normalization and limiting tasks, particularly for broadcast or streaming delivery. The detailed statistics, including silence and mute detection, help identify problematic areas. The plugin integrates into Pro Tools as a standard AAX plugin.
Key features
- Multipoint level metering with up to six connections per instance
- Peak, RMS, True Peak, and Loudness measurements (Momentary, Short-Term, Integrated)
- Independent and Interleaved display modes for stems
- Patchbay-based probe insertion for flexible test point setup
- Audio Suite version with offline loudness maximizer and limiting
- Programmable scales, ballistics, and extensive graphical customization
- Integrated loudness report with silence and mute statistics
Best for
DSpatial Sonda is best for mixing and mastering engineers in Pro Tools who need to compare levels across multiple stems, perform loudness normalization for broadcast or streaming, and require flexible metering with offline processing capabilities.