======================================================================
 ZEROLINE  v1.1.0
 Gain Staging Utility Plugin
 Tonecraft Tokyo
======================================================================

* Overview

ZEROLINE is a gain staging utility that measures each track's average
level and sets trim values in a single pass before mixing.

Because the trim value is locked after measurement, it does not keep
moving automatically or act like a slow compressor.

  - Automatically sets trim values simply by pressing LEARN during
    playback (0 VU = -18 dBFS)
  - LOCKED design locks the value after measurement (prevents side
    effects from continuous volume tracking)
  - IN / OUT VU meters to compare levels before and after trim
  - PEAK WARNING and CLIP indicators to detect excessive output peaks
  - Large TRIM knob for manual fine-tuning (-24.0 to +24.0 dB)
  - Phase button for phase inversion
  - InfoBar that displays explanations on mouse hover
  - Zero-latency design with no processing delay
  - Supports both mono and stereo tracks


* Requirements

OS               Windows 10 / 11 (64bit)
                 macOS 11 or later (Apple Silicon / Intel)
Format           Windows: VST3 / Mac: VST3, AU
Supported DAWs   DAWs supporting VST3 or AU
Input            Mono or Stereo
Output           Mono or Stereo
Sample rate      Host dependent
Window size      720 x 480 (fixed)
Screen language  English / Japanese (follows the OS display language)
Latency          None


* Installation

[Windows]

  1. Extract this ZIP file.
  2. Copy the ZEROLINE.vst3 folder to the following location:

       C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\

  3. Launch your DAW and perform a plugin rescan.
     (If you copy the file while your DAW is running, changes may
     not take effect.)

To uninstall, delete the ZEROLINE.vst3 folder you copied.


[Mac]

  1. Extract this ZIP file.
  2. Copy ZEROLINE.vst3 and ZEROLINE.component to the following
     locations respectively:
     (~ represents your user home folder. You can open it by pasting
     the path into Finder: Go -> Go to Folder. Create the folder if
     it does not exist.)

       ZEROLINE.vst3      -> ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/
       ZEROLINE.component -> ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/

  3. Open Terminal (Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal), paste the
     following three lines one by one, and press Return:

   cd ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins
   xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine VST3/"ZEROLINE.vst3"
   xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine Components/"ZEROLINE.component"

     If nothing is displayed, it succeeded. If you do not run this,
     macOS will show messages like "is damaged and cannot be opened"
     or "cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified",
     and the DAW will not load the plugin. This command only removes
     the quarantine attribute that macOS attaches to downloaded files
     (you need to run it again when updating or reinstalling).
  4. Launch your DAW and perform a plugin rescan.
     (If the AU plugin does not appear in Logic Pro or other DAWs,
     restart your Mac.)

To uninstall, delete ZEROLINE.vst3 and ZEROLINE.component that you
copied.


* Quick start

  1. Insert ZEROLINE at the very beginning of the track's effect
     chain (immediately after instruments, before other effects).
  2. Play the song, and press the LEARN button at the loudest section
     (such as the chorus) (LEARNING display).
  3. After playing for a few seconds, press LEARN again or stop
     playback, and the trim value will be determined and locked
     (LOCKED display).
  4. Fine-tune manually with the large TRIM knob as needed.

For detailed instructions, see the bundled ZEROLINE_Manual_EN.html.


* About the download warning

[Windows]
Because the software is not code-signed, your web browser may show
a warning when downloading the ZIP. In that case, choose to keep or
allow the download.

Also, before unzipping, right-click the ZIP file and open Properties.
If you see "Security: This file came from another computer..." at
the bottom, check "Unblock", click OK, and then extract the files.

[Mac]
Run the command in Step 3 of the installation instructions. Do the
same when updating or reinstalling.

This product is a VST3 / AU plugin. It does not launch on its own;
your DAW loads it as a plugin.


* About ZEROLINE Pro

For users looking for more advanced processing, an upgraded edition,
"ZEROLINE Pro", is also available.

  - TARGET panel: Measurement modes (VU / LUFS / PEAK) and target
    level customization
  - MATCH feature: Level-matches before and after effects for
    accurate sound comparison
  - LEARN ALL feature: Performs gain staging across the entire
    project in a single action


* Notes

  - This product is distributed free of charge (freeware) as-is,
    without support.
  - The source code is closed source.
  - The copyright of this product belongs to Tonecraft Tokyo.
  - Modification, reverse engineering, redistribution, and resale
    are prohibited. Please obtain downloads only from the official
    Tonecraft Tokyo website and BOOTH.
  - Free to use for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.


* Disclaimer

  - This product is provided "AS IS", without warranty of any kind,
    express or implied, including but not limited to merchantability,
    fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement of
    third-party rights.
  - Tonecraft Tokyo is not liable for any damages arising from the use
    of, or inability to use, this product, including but not limited
    to loss or corruption of project files or audio data, equipment
    malfunction, lost working time, or lost profits.
  - Operation is not guaranteed for every combination of DAW,
    operating system, and hardware.
  - Specifications may change, and the product may be discontinued,
    without notice.
  - Use this product at your own risk. Back up your projects before
    important work.


* Feedback

  We welcome your feedback and impressions.

    info@tonecraft.blue-x.tokyo

  We cannot promise individual support. However, your feedback will
  be used as reference for future product development.


* Licenses

  - VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
  - This product uses JUCE.
  - Noto Sans JP / JetBrains Mono - SIL Open Font License 1.1


* Distributed by

  Tonecraft Tokyo
  https://www.tonecraft.blue-x.tokyo/free-vst-plugins
  https://tonecraft-tokyo.booth.pm/items/9025366  (BOOTH)

(c) 2026 Tonecraft Tokyo. All rights reserved.
