Middleman
Professional Amateur
OK, so does anyone have a recommendation on a low cost hardware based limiter? Kind of like the RNC of limiting?
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Behringer Autocom...great limiting for little $$$$......
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Dick Flansen
New member
Just last week I decided to add a few more channels of peak limiting to my mobile rig, just for drums - ended up grabbing the 4-channel Behringer multicom mdx4400 for $70 used.
I'm no big fan of behringer gear, and in fact I was groaning when I bought the thing - but, actually, it does a good job. It's quiet, I don't notice it in the signal chain, and the limiting sounds really decent. I'm not using it as a compressor, mind you, just for overshoot protection as a limiter for digital recording - and it's just fine. Will probably never use the compressor.
I also like the ART Dual Levelar, if we're talking about BUDGET gear. Which, I think we are...
I'm no big fan of behringer gear, and in fact I was groaning when I bought the thing - but, actually, it does a good job. It's quiet, I don't notice it in the signal chain, and the limiting sounds really decent. I'm not using it as a compressor, mind you, just for overshoot protection as a limiter for digital recording - and it's just fine. Will probably never use the compressor.
I also like the ART Dual Levelar, if we're talking about BUDGET gear. Which, I think we are...
Stefan Elmblad
New member
The dual levelar is an opto design, which is slower in reaction than VCA units. I don't think it would be any good as a dedicated limiter.
D
Dick Flansen
New member
Yes, the levelar has a fixed .6 ms attack time, which technically doesn't make it a peakstop limiter, exactly - however, I use the thing on overheads and room mics all the time, with great results. You need to leave yourself some overhead, to begin with - it's definitely not the box to use for maximum volume with brickwall limiting.
YMMV.
YMMV.
Stefan Elmblad
New member
Dick Flansen said:
I assume you mean headroom ?
If the unit lets through the first peak of the signal, so you need to have a little extra headroom, then it's no limiter at all. A limiter is supposed to control the peaks, that's the main reason for using a limiter. You reach for a limiter when you haven't got headroom.
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Dick Flansen
New member
Fine, Stefan, thank you, I'll never offer an opinion again.
I'll just go back to making great sounding records for a living, with my poor little levelar.
I'll just go back to making great sounding records for a living, with my poor little levelar.
Stefan Elmblad
New member
Ok sure. Am I supposed to feel bad cuz I explained something ? That's weird.
darrin_h2000
Banned
Levelar is good on bass. as a direct in.
C
chessrock
Banned
After much experience with the Behringers, all I can say is that their compression isn't bad at all. Unfortunately all I can say for the quality of the peak limiting is that it's better than digital clipping -- not by much, but still better. 
I would hop on ebay and look for a used symetrix 501.
For two channels, nothing beats the Aphex Dominator for the price, although that will generally run you around $400 used -- still $200 / channel which isn't bad.
I would hop on ebay and look for a used symetrix 501.
For two channels, nothing beats the Aphex Dominator for the price, although that will generally run you around $400 used -- still $200 / channel which isn't bad.
Stefan Elmblad
New member
I agree with Chessrock... Behringer does some lousy crap junk units.... but the compressors stand out as quite usable. And considering their usual low behringer prices, they give you alot for the money.
