Limiting is used in audio production to reduce the dynamic range of a track or program material. In audio mastering applications the limiting effect is used to raise the level of a track or mix, thus making it louder, by pumping more input level into the limiter and setting a “ceiling” threshold transient peaks will not exceed, avoiding any digital overs. The principle behind this is basically the same of a compressor where the ratio is set to ∞ :1, so that no signal is passing over the threshold, and time constants are set for very fast attack and release.
The IK Multimedia Brickwall Limiter was designed to be used in mastering applications (though it also can be creatively used in mix contexts) as a final tool to bring your track or mix to “industry standard” RMS levels. Its transparency and ease of use make it a very fast way of achieving finished, master quality tracks that stand out with all the level and boldness demanded by modern digital audio. Just set the Output Ceiling and raise the input until the desired loudness is achieved.
The possibility to choose among a set of custom designed algorithms (or “Styles”) makes the Brickwall Limiter very flexible, so that it can be tailored to best suit the program material it's being used on.
The “Clean” settings are designed to have the most invisible result on the program material, so that distortion will be minimal. The advanced settings introduce a mix of very smooth saturation and limiting resulting in slightly more punch and color compared to the clean setting. The Sat settings use various forms of saturation as limiting for increased color.
A few words should be spent on limiting use: a louder master will inevitably be perceived as “better sounding” to the human ear, though as too much limiting is applied to a mix, the end result will be squashed, dynamic-less or even worse distorted, so care should be used when applying limiting to a mix in order to achieve a perfect balance between loudness and sound quality.
Unprocessed
Processed
Also included in
Linear Phase Equalizer
EQual
This audio processor module is part of T-RackS CS "Custom Shop" Mixing and Mastering Plug-In Collection. With T-RackS CS you can:
Read more about T-RackS CS
*Legal detail
T-RackS® is a registered trademark property of IK Multimedia Production. All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with IK Multimedia. Product names are used solely for the purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during IK Multimedia’s sound model development and for describing certain types of tones produced with IK Multimedia’s digital modeling technology. Use of these names does not imply any cooperation or endorsement. LA-2A and 1176 LN are registered trademarks of Universal Audio, Inc. IK Multimedia's products, specifically, the T-RackS 3 Black 76 Limiting Amplifier and T-RackS 3 White 2A Leveling Amplifier, are manufactured and developed by IK Multimedia based on its own modeling techniques. Universal Audio has neither endorsed nor sponsored IK Multimedia's products in any manner, nor licensed any intellectual property for use in this product. Leslie is a trademark property of Hammond Organ/Leslie, wholly-owned brand subsidiaries of Suzuki Musical Instruments Mfg., Ltd. of Hamamatsu, Japan, used under license. Fairchild® is a registered trademark property of Avid Technology, Inc. Pultec® is a registered trademark property of Pulse Techniques, LLC. Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows Vista and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., used under license therefrom. The Audio Units logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. ARC System™ is a trademark property of IK Multimedia Production Srl. Audyssey™, MultEQ®, Audyssey MultEQ® are trademarks property of Audyssey Laboratories™ Inc. used under license.