Tone Generator: An Essential Tool
Introducing Tone Generator—the essential tool for audio calibration, level setting, and troubleshooting, right inside your DAW. This isn't just another plugin; it's a reliable utility that outputs a perfectly matched stereo tone, with the left channel mirrored to the right. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting, Tone Generator is designed to save your settings with your project and streamline your workflow.
Features & Controls
- Frequency: A versatile knob that sweeps from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The display switches between Hz and kHz for perfect clarity, and the sound is smoothed during sweeps to help you find resonances without any clicks.
- Amplitude: The amplitude knob ranges from -60 dB to 0 dB, with a display that shows tenths of a dB. Moves and automation are smoothed, so you'll never hear "zipper noise" as the level changes.
- Waveform: Click the panel to instantly cycle through four classic waveforms: Sine, Square, Saw, and Triangle. The label and mini-display update immediately to show your selection. For the cleanest high-end tone and for high-frequency checks, we recommend using the Sine wave.
Tone Generator is an audio-only plugin. It has no MIDI input and features zero tail, which means it starts and stops instantly whenever your host is processing the track.
How You Can Use It
- Align Your Levels: Use a 1 kHz Sine wave at -20 dB to precisely set up your meters and trims for perfect gain staging.
- Check Mono Compatibility: Pick a mid-band Sine wave and sum your monitoring to mono. Since the plugin's outputs are perfectly matched, you should hear a stable, centered image.
- Find Rattles and Room Modes: Slowly sweep the frequency from 20 Hz upwards at a safe level, like -30 dB, to identify any buzzes or rattles in your space.
- Test Your Outboard Gear: Route a 1 kHz Sine wave through your hardware chain. Because the plugin's outputs are matched, any imbalance you hear is a sign of a downstream issue.
- Automate Test Sequences: Draw automation ramps for Frequency or Amplitude in your DAW to create smooth, click-free sweeps for testing.
Tone Generator is designed to work anywhere your host's main output is enabled. The compact, fixed-size window provides bright readouts for exact values. Your settings are saved with the project and recalled when you reopen it.
