From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Introducing limiters

Introducing limiters

From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Introducing limiters

A limiter is simply a compressor with a ratio of greater than 10 to 1. BY using such a strong ratio, the compressor effectively limits the signal's amplitude to the threshold so that very little, or in some cases nothing, can pass beyond the threshold. When we look at a limiter's transfer curve graph, we find that the knee levels off completely, effectively creating a wall at the threshold. Since compressors and limiters are cut from the same cloth, as far as dynamics processors go, we'll typically use them for all the same reasons we use compressors, that is, to restrict and hone the dynamic range of overly dynamic signals and increase the average level of a signal without increasing peak level or clipping. Think of limiters as just more aggressive compressors. You'll find that many limiters feature the same threshold attack, release. and gain controls as regular compressors, but often without a ratio control. since this is generally assumed to be very high or near infinite. Limiters…

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