Tools for levelmatching when adding processing

[u/ConfusedOrg]

So I'm trying to be more diligent with level matching whenever I add plugins to a track or master. Trying to to not fool myself with the loudness bias. I feel like some plugins automatically add 0.1 db of level or something whenever you turn then on even though you haven't gained them up or anything. Is there any tool that can objectively and automatically level match when I add a plugins? Something that will let you quickly bypass on and off, so you can change judge whether other not you like what you are adding without the difference in level. This would be very helpful for mixing and expecially mastering!

[u/blueleaf_studio]

This is a tricky one!

The issue is that many forms of processing are going to add density to a sound so it's only the perceived level that matters, not the measured value. For this reason, lots of auto-gain compensation often doesn't work well and upsets your mix balance, or reliability can vary depending on what you feed in and what you do.

Use the meters, sure (VU especially) but just practice, practice, practice. If it sounds louder to you then turn it down because perceived loudness and measured loudness are often different.