Using a Limiter

[Jaycay]

I have found out that I need a limiter to bring my mixes up to "cd level" I have a limiter plug-in for n-track, but am wondering how it works, what it does, and how best to use it.

 

[ryanlikestorock]

Limiters are pretty simple. Set your "out ceiling" (or max level, or whatever it's called) to about -0.3db. You probably won't ever have to change this. Keep the "release" between about 1-2. Now play with the threshold (or compression) level until the music sounds "loud" enough. If you can A/B between a commercial CD of a similar genre, you'll get better results. Don't be tempted to over-do it. More is not always better.

 

[Jimbo Jones]

jaycay, are you sure you want to limit, or are you talking about compression???
A limiter is pretty harsh for most applications and is usually used for live sound to protect power amps.
Try a compresser plug-in and search the board for compresser tips.

 

[Jaycay]

Thank you for the help. I don't think compression would bring the level the music up. That just squashes the dynamic range, right?

 

[Bulls Hit]

That's right, it compresses your dynamic range. But you can also increase the gain at the same time, so the quiet bits become louder relative to the loud bits

 

[ryanlikestorock]

You want to compress the range. Right now, you've probably got a peak volume around 0db, and an average volume around -15db -12db or so... you want to narrow that gap, while maintaining a peak volume close to 0db, bringing up the average sound level.

 

[fldrummer]

Here's somtin for ya to read

http://www.recordingproject.com/articles/article.php?article=6

 

[greggybud]

Perceived loudness will come from COMPRESSION not LIMITING.

Sure you can just crank an L-2 and make it loud. In most applications it will also sound like crud if you really give it a good hard listen. (unless you are just dealing with a few peaks and maybe not more than -3db )

Learn how to COMPRESS. Learn how to use a good quality compressor, then learn how to use a multiband compressor and how it can be used as EQ and compression.

Learn how to properly and ever so slightly EQ a final mix and how that slight EQ effects the compression and limiting.

Once you have thickened up your wave with compression then stick a limiter last in the chain for additional loudness. Once you have properly EQed, and compressed, then you can crank a limiter a bit more without those nasty artifacts.

 

[ryanlikestorock]

Agreed.