How to Limit Your Mixes and Masters: Ultimate Guide to Peak Limiters

May 31, 2022 | 96,353 Views

Understanding how peak limiters work and when to use them is critical to the final stages of music production, mixing and mastering. Learn limiting’s best practices and hear the differences between Waves’ limiter plugins.

0:00 Introduction
0:27 What is peak limiting and when should you use it?
2:10 Limiter plugins compared
2:51 How to use a limiter
3:38 Audio example #1
4:51 Audio example #2
6:54 Listen: Waves L1 vs. L2 vs. L3

[{"nodeGUID":"58f99d60-7bbe-4800-85cd-0d3b5cee7805","nodeID":199,"documentName":"L2 Ultramaximizer","documentID":199,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l2-ultramaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l2-ultramaximizer.png","msrp":299.000000000,"skuPrice":35.990000000,"discount":88,"mainOrder":10019,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":132,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"V5-L2T4A","note":"","documentPageDescription":"With look-ahead brickwall peak limiting, level maximization, and ultra high resolution, the L2 peak limiter plugin is a powerful tool for mixing, mastering, and more. ","tagline":"Classic look-ahead brickwall peak limiter and level maximizer","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":535,"rating":4.84673,"saleEndDate":"2022-12-08T08:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"0a992b53-111e-4a68-a023-7e0292333283","nodeID":198,"documentName":"L1 Ultramaximizer","documentID":198,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l1-ultramaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l1-ultramaximizer.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":80,"mainOrder":10041,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":130,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"V5-L1D40","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Advanced level maximizer, look-ahead peak limiter and high-resolution re-quantizer, all in one powerful industry-standard plugin for mastering and mixing.","tagline":"Mono/stereo limiter with refined resolution control","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":298,"rating":4.86242,"saleEndDate":"2022-12-08T08:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"216e2cba-f7ad-475b-9b8d-3b8215007f95","nodeID":200,"documentName":"L3 Multimaximizer","documentID":200,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l3-multimaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l3-multimaximizer.png","msrp":349.000000000,"skuPrice":39.990000000,"discount":89,"mainOrder":10100,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":134,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"USW379-1362-599","note":"","documentPageDescription":"A powerful auto-summing multiband limiter for all-in-one mastering, the L3 multiband peak limiter plugin enhances your frequency response and maximizes your levels.","tagline":"5-band dynamics control with linear-phase crossover","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":274,"rating":4.83212,"saleEndDate":"2022-12-08T08:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"1d41b28f-c713-47d2-b1c0-0256ea3bebcf","nodeID":202,"documentName":"L3-16 Multimaximizer","documentID":202,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l3-16-multimaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l3-16-multimaximizer.png","msrp":549.000000000,"skuPrice":44.990000000,"discount":92,"mainOrder":10127,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":515,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"L316TDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"The ultimate all-in-one mastering plugin, the L3-16 multiband peak limiter plugin maximizes your sound with 16 bands of pinpoint precision and breathtaking detail.","tagline":"16 virtual bands for the ultimate in maximization","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":215,"rating":4.82791,"saleEndDate":"2022-12-08T08:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"162ae08c-99f7-4930-a35c-9e356c75a5a5","nodeID":204,"documentName":"L3-LL Multimaximizer","documentID":204,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l3-ll-multimaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l3-ll-multimaximizer.png","msrp":0.000000000,"skuPrice":0.000000000,"discount":0,"mainOrder":20005,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":337,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":false,"skuNumber":"L3LLMTAP","note":"Available only in selected bundles","documentPageDescription":"Featuring a 5-band crossover with phase-corrected filters, the L3-LL low latency multiband peak limiter plugin maximizes your volume with breathtaking detail.","tagline":"Low-latency, 5-band multimaximizer","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":0,"rating":0,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"4b7ab54f-6c50-4f52-9f50-c37101d4cd6f","nodeID":201,"documentName":"L3 Ultramaximizer","documentID":201,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l3-ultramaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l3-ultramaximizer.png","msrp":0.000000000,"skuPrice":0.000000000,"discount":0,"mainOrder":20006,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":335,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":false,"skuNumber":"L3SimpleTDM","note":"Available only in selected bundles","documentPageDescription":"Like its big brother the Multimaximizer, the L3 Ultramaximizer delivers state-of-the-art peak limiting and level maximization, controlled by an intuitive, streamlined interface.","tagline":"Multiband technology with a streamlined interface","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":0,"rating":0,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""}]

Loading....