Skip to content

Record, Mix & Master

Pro Audio Tips, Tricks, News & Reviews

Primary Menu
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
Buy The Book

What is a Limiter?

admin February 3, 2010

What is a Limiter?

What is a Limiter? – An audio limiter is a powerful tool used in the mastering process of audio production. It acts a lot like an audio compressor, but with a few key differences.

RECORD, MIX AND MASTER – A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO AUDIO PRODUCTION. OUT NOW!

What is a Limiter? - An audio limiter is a powerful tool used in the mastering process of audio production. It acts a lot like an audio compressor, but with a few key differences.

The primary function of an audio limiter is to set a limit, or ceiling, to the output level. In other words, no sound beyond that threshold can get through. This is why it’s often referred to as a ‘brick wall’. The limiter ensures that the song remains even throughout, preventing any part of the song from crossing the threshold.

Audio limiters come in two types: full-band and multi-band. Full-band limiters regard the frequency spectrum as a whole, without taking EQ into account. On the other hand, multi-band limiters offer more precision, allowing you to control several frequency bands separately.

How Do Limiters Differ from Compressors?

While both limiters and compressors are used to control the volume level of audio signals, they serve different functions and applications.

A compressor is used to shape the dynamic range of an audio signal by attenuating the loud parts and boosting the quiet parts. It focuses on individual tracks in the mix. The threshold indicates when the compression kicks in, while the ratio determines how much the signal gets reduced after reaching the threshold.

On the other hand, a limiter takes compression to the extreme and is more commonly used in the mastering process than during mixing. A limiter is essentially a compressor with a really high ratio. Its main purpose is to turn down (limit) audio peaks. It prevents audio from exceeding a certain threshold level, ensuring no distortion or clipping occurs.

What is a Limiter? - An audio limiter is a powerful tool used in the mastering process of audio production. It acts a lot like an audio compressor, but with a few key differences.

When to Use Each One

Compressors are typically used to even out the levels of a recording, so that the quietest parts are audible and the loudest parts don’t clip or distort. They can be used in recording, mixing, and even in mastering.

Limiters, on the other hand, are usually used in mastering to make sure that the audio doesn’t exceed a certain level. They are also used on peaky instruments that otherwise sound fine, and on vocals, which can also spike suddenly.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between a compressor and a limiter is crucial in audio production. While they may seem similar, their uses and effects on the audio signal are distinct. Knowing when to use each one can greatly enhance the quality of your audio production.

A GUIDE TO COMPRESSOR ATTACK AND RELEASE SETTINGS
Tags: compressor dynamics how to limiter recording sound vocal

Continue Reading

Previous: Equalizing Reference Guide
Next: Mix Like A Pro – Monitor in Mono

Related Stories

Optimizing Audio Interface Output for Clearer Sound

Optimizing Audio Interface Output for Clearer Sound

admin May 19, 2025
Time Aligning Studio Speakers

Time-Aligning Studio Speakers for Accurate Phase Coherence

admin April 2, 2025
acoustic panels on the wall of a home studio

Using Sound Diffuser Panels in Small Rooms: A Good Idea or Not?

admin March 24, 2025

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Optimizing Audio Interface Output for Clearer Sound
  • Time-Aligning Studio Speakers for Accurate Phase Coherence
  • Using Sound Diffuser Panels in Small Rooms: A Good Idea or Not?
  • The Art of Compression: Crafting Dynamic and Powerful Mixes
  • Why You Must Avoid Placing Speakers Mid-Height
  • Choosing the Right Set of Studio Nearfield Monitors
  • How to Select the Right Drum Microphones
  • Do Different DAWs Sound Different?
  • Master Bus Compression: Why When and How to Use It
  • Understanding Normalized and Half-Normalized Patchbays
©2024 Record, Mix and Master. All rights reserved. | MoreNews by AF themes.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT