Masterlink Limiter Distortion

[JBolles702]

Lately it seems that whenever I apply any limiting -- even very light limiting -- in my Masterlink, I get some kind of hash distortion. This is with program material that is not at all dense or overly compressed already. In fact, it has occurred on recordings with nothing more than a solo voice and panned acoustic guitars. My latest project is solo male voice, panned acoustic guitars (two mics on same source), and electric bass direct through a TwinQ. I get a well-balanced mix, then use Normalization DSP to calculate the headroom. Then I disable Normalization, bump up the level manually, then check to make sure I don't go into the red anywhere. As soon as I apply limiting, even setting the threshold to something as minimal as - 2.0 dB, I get distortion. It is most noticeable on the acoustic guitar initially, but if, for example, the passage has punch in the vocal and bass, all will be affected. Any thoughts?

 

[AEL]

I would suggest running up the gain about 2db less than indicated from the normalization algorithm. Then make absolutely sure you have disabled normalization (I have made the mistake of not doing so several times). Then try your limiter. If still a problem, render your gain alone, and then try the limiter. If you still have a problem, then you have a real problem, and I would suggest reinstalling the operating system and or sending the unit in for repair.
Good luck
Al

 

[AEL]

One more thought. If you have the normalizer off, then calculate the gain needed to normalize, it automatically turns the normalizer on. You have to turn it off again manually.
Al