Inexpensive Limiter - does it exist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gamelan
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Gamelan

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Is there a decent hardware peak limiter for under $500? Not a compressor/limiter. Most of those release too slow for transient limiting, from 25 to 100ms. Looking for something with a much faster release time. Is this kind of speed reserved only for $1000+ units? If so, why is that?
 
You could probably find a used Aphex Dominator 720 II for under $500.
 
Want something really inexpensive? You can’t go wrong with the Alesis Stereo Micro Limiter at under $50.00 used. I bought one of these new when they first came out and now have two. It definitely goes on my list of the most overlooked/underrated. I can always find a use for them even though I have plenty of options that outclass them.

Ok, it is technically a soft-knee comp/limiter, but it has very short release time. The Micro Limiter also has no design relationship to the notorious 3630 or the newer nano Compressor. These are really two different companies -- then-Alesis and now-Alesis.

Here are the specs:

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz To 20kHz +/- 1 dB
DYNAMIC RANGE: Input 100dB, output dependent on Ratio
DISTORTION: <0.2% THD @ 1 kHz 0dB
SIGNAL LEVELS: -10 dB to +4 dB nominal
ATTACK TIME: Program dependent 150ms to 0.5ms
RELEASE TIME: min 10ms, max 500ms
RATIO: 1:1 to infinity

I know a lot of people just won’t take this little 1/3 space “semi-pro” box seriously enough to give it a go, and it may indeed not be within the ballpark of what you’re looking for.

~Tim
:)
 
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Actually, I have a micro limiter. It does a fine job for live sound but it's a bit noisy for recording, at least for the kind of music I do.

Just looked at the micro limiter manual and it says the release is 10ms. Good call. That is quite fast compared to others out there. Maybe I can find a way around the noise? Time to dust it off and see what it can do! Thanks.
 
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Gamelan said:
Actually, I have a microlimiter. It does a fine job for live sound but it's a bit noisy for recording, at least for the kind of music I do.
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Noisy... no kidding? I've never had problems with noise using them, but then I guess it depends on how the unit is utilized.

Well darn… I can’t think of anything else off the top of my head for cheap. I’m going through my mental list of budget devices. The only other one that comes to mind that I thought was well made for the price was the Symetrix 522, but it’s also a comp/limiter. I don't remeber the specs.
 
Sure,
Just wire a Zenner Diode across the leads of a cable! :p


Tim
 
Yes you are right, the Dominator has a fastest release time of 150ms.

I like the idea of using a plugin, if that fits the flow of how you work. They can be very flexible, and dialing very specific and fast release times is usually possible.

If you like the limiter action on the microlimiter it's possible you could have it upgraded by Audio Upgrades or Blacklion. I'm sure they could clean it up.
 
Middleman said:
Are you opposed to software? If not, A UAD-1 card with the precision limiter can be found for that amount.
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That's a fabulous limiter. If you have the card, you can get that limiter for $170 (until the end of May, but only while stocks last)
 
I put off getting the Precision Limiter for a long time. I just picked it up because of the sale going on. What an incredible value, I agree. It takes an average mix to a whole new level and puts on that sheen that makes it sound like a record, er CD. Along with the Precision EQ, you have some very low cost mastering ability with the UAD1.
 
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Middleman said:
I put getting the Precision Limiter off for a long time. I just picked it up because of the sale going on. What an incredible value, I agree. It takes an average mix to a whole new level and puts on that sheen that makes it sound like a record, er CD. Along with the Precision EQ, you have some very low cost mastering ability with the UAD1.
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Did you get the bundle, with the Multiband as well?
 
Bulls Hit said:
Did you get the bundle, with the Multiband as well?
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I tried it on a few mixes and did not find that it helped things all that much. Plus if you read around the mastering circles, few MEs use multiband for mastering so I did not get it. It is a pretty remarkable compressor however, I can build frequency dependent compression with an EQ and a standalone compressor so the need is not that high in my book.

If I mastered other peoples mixes then it would definitely be useful because you never know what problems could come your way. I generally mix and master my own tracks so, once again, did not find it critical to what I do.
 
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