You're Using Your Limiter WRONG

In this video, I tell you about a super awesome way to use your limiter to maximize "pocket" and get that coveted major label sound and major label polish.

In order to understand why this works, we need to look the history of the mastering signal chain, its developments, and how its placements and techniques have characterized the songs we all grew up with.

I give you one of my go-to mastering signal chains - I really hope you try it, I think you're going to LOVE it!

[EricDavisMusic]

the value to time ratio of this video is extraordinarily high. great work.

[ThePhiCode]

you're that guy on YouTube who doesn't clickbait or waste time, straight to the point and very useful information, I really appreciate it

[astralmooncat_jyro_Tenshi]

It makes so much sense. The chain order is so important, just like in sound design. I think mixing and mastering is as part of the overall design, and when mixing or producing a track, these steps should be taken in consideration.

[darrellroseborough]

I’m so glad that I stumbled upon this video. No frills spills or tricks just precise and to the point clear cut explanations. None of this you’re doing it all wrong bullshit. Everybody’s way is their way or the highway type vlog. You Will are a god sent. Thanks and keep up the great work for the recording community. I did check this method out and gotten some great results although I have been doing my own thing without any tutorials and also gotten good results. I think it’s called trial and error imo. The way you explained it I get more consistency I have to admit. Hey people subscribe this guy gets it.❤

[JiihaaS]

I often put a subtle clipper / limiter before the compressor too to make its job easier on transients.

[ajlsoundwave]

The best part about audio is that there are so many different ways to get to the final end result. I think your explanation of "how you are getting there" was explained very well and extremely useful for anyone trying to master regarding of experience, knowledge and gear. Great stuff, and now subscribed. Cheers.

[clocks]

ngl i saw this video an was like oh here we go again but youre right, you are the first person to vocalize to my knowledge how important the release time is. I set my release based on the genre, bpm etc. mostly listening to the song and adjusting the release until it fits and sounds right. like you said, finding the pocket. its not some hard and set rule, its different every time

[Rhuggins]

You are amazing, just discovered your channel. Love your way of speaking about these things and subtle sense of humor

[cobraofearth]

love the historical context, that type of thing really helps me grasp the concept.

[daleonov]

That's an interesting concept! I've never used clipper before limiting, although seen people use it. Now it makes sense!

[stevenleonmusic]

I think I inadvertently stumbled upon this when I was messing around with the "Maximizer" in Cubase. With just the limiter it was sounding louder but that's it. With a combo of the maximizer with soft clipping enabled and the limiter with less input gain I was getting the same overall loudness but a much tighter sound, especially on the vocals.

[ShaneDobbie]

i use TDR limiter 6 GE most of the time. I think it's the default preset to have comp -> clipper -> limiter and i always got results i'm happy with.

[poindextertunes]

I just recently doubled up on clippers and limiters in my mastering chain. Its like having 4 people to move a heavy object, rather than just two. The clipper/limiters don’t have to work as hard and the signal stays clean longer before its clipped digitally out of the DAW

[thaDjMauz]

My tip as producer for producers is to try to be a producer and not an engineer. Make inventive, expressive and original music that should rightfully be supported by a label that will organize good mastering for you, then you only need to manage your gainstaging. I see too many producers lose themselves in the mastering rabbithole, and while it is valuable knowledge, make sure to maintain your enthusiasm for expressing yourself in your composition.

[RivenantOfficial]

You’re a scholar and a gentleman. Thank you for taking time to do these videos. They have helped immensely.

[GrdShftR]

Very valuable info and it verifies something i heard the other day. The person was basically saying that they did their limiting in stages by putting limiters on all their mix busses before the master chain, that way their master chain didnt have all that range of transients constantly altering the "release" pocket. They didnt word it quite how you did here in this video but it makes a lot of sense. I would love to see a more in depth example of this technique at play.

[jacksmith]

Interesting I have kind of done this with mine anyways (in terms of layout of chain) I master my own stuff in the Box and use Tape emulation into compression into EQ into clipper in to limiter (sometimes into 2 limiters both doing minimal 1-2 Db). I need to learn more about release times and how it affects the pocket in a practical sense but this is good to know the basic Idea of the chain I use is correct. Subbed

[Thatwouldbematt]

This has been one of the best explanations for how important and easy it is to dial in a master chain. Simple and bountiful in information.

[Downstream]

I’m the student, you are the master. 🙏🏼

[TWEAKER]

Traditionally (historically) it was actually: 1/2" or 1/4" tape > NR decode > console with 1 or 2 EQ's, *no compression, no limiting* > 1/4" (most often) or 1/2" tape. Key to all that (and still) is you make decisions listening from the end of the chain (off-tape), not to a section in isolation.