Metamagic, Improved (Feat)

is this needed given the ability to do spell research?

You are a true expert at the mightiest of magics.

Prerequisites: Caster Level 24, any four Metamagic feats

Benefit: The spell slot modifier of all your metamagic feats is reduced by one level if you wish to do so, to a minimum of +1. This feat has no effect on metamagic feats whose spell slot modifier is +1 or less.

Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. The effects stack, though you can't reduce any metamagic feat's spell slot modifier to less than +1.