14 Popular and Effective Limiters

Limiters are used for everyday mixing and mastering and choosing the right one for the job in hand is important and there are many great plugins for the task.

I usually se up mastering as the last element of the chain. The limiters available today have similar feature sets and interfaces, but the decision as to which one to use is always based on the sound.

And I'll continually experiment looking for the best sound.

I based the selection on these criteria:

Sound
Settings
Graphical interface
Workflow

The list below is in no particular order; there are no winners. Instead, I've listed them here for you test and experiment on your own audio projects.

A Selection of Limiters

AOM Invisible Limiter

Key feature set:

Transparent limiting
Equal loudness monitoring
Oversampling
Automatic attack and release optimization

DMG Audio Limitless

Key feature set:

Feedback based transparent limiting
Two stage dynamic handling
Minimal interface
Capable of handling inter samples and true peak

Fabfilter Pro-L

Key feature set:

Transparent limiting in harmony with loudness
Four different working methods
Low CPU usage
Precise monitoring
Good handling of inter sample peaks

I used Fabfilter Pro-L on a drum loop in a light way

Flux Elixir

Key feature set:

Compatible with ITU-R BS.1770 standard
Capable of handling EBU R128
Transparent and natural system regarding to sound tone as well
Designed for professional usage including radio, television and post production

IK Stealth Limiter

Key feature set:

Analyzes the actual and the future incoming signal
The cleanest limiter from IK Multimedia
Mastering grade processor
4 algorithms

iZotope Ozone 7

Key feature set:

New IRC IV algorithm
Spectral shaping
Preserves rhythm and transient information as well
Optionable maximizer and vintage plugin

Sonnox Oxford Limiter

Key feature set:

True peak limiter
Attack, release and soft-knee can be set up very precisely
Compatible with ITU-R BS.1770-4 standards
TPDF dithering
Monitors with real signal instead of file based samples

Vladg/sound Limiter No6

Key feature set:

Freeware
Modular system, each module with different stages
Good for mastering as well
Mid-side and multichannel mode
4x oversampling
Capable of handling inter sample peaks

Voxengo Elephant

Key feature set:

Mastering limiter
K-system monitoring
DC offset filtering
Detailed settings
Headroom estimation
Bit depth converter with noise shaping

Waves L2

Key feature set:

Works at ultra big resolution, IDR technology
Bit depth re-quantisation
Dithering with noise shaping
Automatic control of release

PSP Xenon

Key feature set:

Single band, two stage limiting
K-System monitoring
Algorithm optimized for psychoacoustics

Slate Digital FG-X

Key feature set:

Intelligent algorithm for keeping transients
So much more than a simple brickwall limiter
Optimizes the saturation peaks in a natural way

HOFA IQ-Limiter

Key feature set:

Adapts highly to increasing the input volume gain
3 different algorithms
64 bit inner working
Handling of inter sample peaks

Brainworx bx_limiter

Key feature set:

Low CPU usage
Low latency
One-click loudness compensation
Optional saturation stage
Complex settings can be automated

Using a Limiter

ToneBoosters Barricade CM — I used ToneBoosters Barricade on the master track, the input gain is only for a very short time

If you're new to Limiters I suggest you use only two controls:

Input gain
Output gain

The input gain sets the average loudness. Be careful not to add too much or it will destroy the dynamics in the music.

Volume dynamics and average loudness are in inverse proportionality.

The output gain set the absolute output level, which should be always below 0 dBFS. Most typical values are between -1 dBFS up to -0.1 dbFS. I usually use -0.2 dBFS or -0.3 dbFS.

Increasing the Volume

When you amplify the signal with a limiter, listen closely how it transforms the sound. There is a sweet spot between different volumes. For this you can use other mastered reference tracks.

In many cases you can't reach the reference level due to differences in sounds and instruments. But you can still aim for a general, similar loudness level.

Stock Limiters

Limiters that come bundled with DAWs, or digital audio workstations, like Ableton Limiter can be used for mastering. Have in mind, however, that it can't handle too much amplification without distorting the sound.

Usually dedicated third party limiters have much more quality and transparency. For starters I recommend something from Fabfilter, Waves, Sonnox or the free vladg limiters.