Reference Manual

330 Live Audio Effect Reference

22.20 Limiter

The Limiter Effect.

(Note: the Limiter effect is not available in the Lite Edition.)

The Limiter effect is a mastering-quality dynamic range processor that ensures that the output

does not exceed a speciﬁed level. Limiter is ideal for use in the Master track, to prevent clipping.

A limiter is essentially a compressor with an inﬁnite ratio. (For more information about compres-

sion theory, see the manual entry for the Compressor device (page 295).)

The Gain knob allows you to boost or attenuate the incoming level before applying limiting.

Ceiling sets the absolute maximum level that the Limiter will output. If your incoming signal level

has no peaks that are higher than the ceiling, Limiter will have no effect.

The Stereo / L/R switch determines how Limiter treats peaks that occur on only one side of the

stereo signal. In L/R mode, Limiter functions as two separate limiters, with independent limiting

for each channel. Stereo mode applies limiting to both channels whenever either of them has a

peak that requires compression. L/R mode allows Limiter to apply more compression, but with

some distortion of the stereo image.

The Lookahead chooser affects how quickly Limiter will respond to peaks that require compres-

sion. Shorter Lookahead times allow for more compression, but with an increase in distortion —

particularly in the bass.

The Release knob adjusts how long it takes for Limiter to return to normal operation after the

signal falls below the ceiling. With Auto enabled, Limiter analyzes the incoming signal and sets

an appropriate release time automatically.