Audio Theory - Limiter

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In this video we are going to learn about limiters.

Limiters serve a very useful purpose by blocking the parts of a signal that are above a set decibel limit. 

Similar to compressors, limiters reduce the peaks of a signal above a set threshold. The difference is that compressors reduce the amount of signal above the threshold by a percentage, but limiters do not allow any peaks above the threshold. The names are rather self-explanatory.

Limiters are essentially a compressor with a compression ratio of infinity to one. By creating a hard ceiling, limiters prevent peaking.

 Limiters are often used together with compressors. The compressor is used to create a smooth roll off for sounds above a certain level, while the limiter sets an even higher firm threshold as a final safety net for extremely high peaks.

To set the limiter simply adjust the threshold to the level at which you want the limiter to kick in.

[chzachadmusic]

good lord, the simplicity and specificity of this video tutorial are seriously lacking on youtube! Thank you for this perfect explanation!

[ejdrums]

Seriously, this is all i've ever needed and its taken 6 years to find this video.

[drey]

Best limiter tutorial for all daws in just one minute explanation. That's awesome!

[SBWU]

I've been looking for days to find an article or video that explains the difference between limiters and compressors in a simple, yet informative way. Great video!

[DavidJordanCSMT]

Great Videos, in a easy to understand way.
Thanks!

[igargar]

Thank you so much for making this video!!! It is incredible!!!

[lucatrentin]

Hi there, thank you for this amazing video! I used 8 seconds of this video in one of mine, specifically when you show the first amazing graphic. I hope it's not a problem, anyway my video comes out next week, so if you don't want me to use that clip just tell me and I'll remove it, thanks and keep it up with the good job!

[Winterfly]

so a limiter is a hardclipper and a compressor a soft clipper?

[salimalsaadi]

Why the limiter is in minus and level 0 is loud ? I mean after 0 distortion..
Please answer

[QuabmasM]

It sounds as though youve described a brick wall limiter.  Isnt it fair to say that some limiters have different algorithms that more naturally limit just as compressors have hard vs soft knee options?  I ask because Im trying to understand the fact that limiters still clip as you increase the threshold(but Im assuming a brick wall limiter will never clip ever unless there is a strange option for output gain).  Maybe the mystery is that there is some sort of auto-gain algorithm in other limiter modes maybe?  But then, even then it shouldnt clip if it is a brick wall limiter.  I then conclude that Im correct then in presuming you are talking about a brick wall limiter vs other more natural limiter styles.  If Im right, mayeb you should do a video on that too.

[jacobhn]

I have modified one yamaha gc2020 compressor and uses it as a limitor but realese time was too short, so I cut two resistors of inside and got a realese time of 9 sec . why it is that when I play music so I want all mp3 or other numbers are in the same SOUNDLEVEL, and now I can play music that does not have as high SOUNDLEVEL then gc2020 will turn slowly up the volume without losing dynamic, and if there is a track with high output signal it turn down immediately

[elproaudio]

Please, share a limiter scheme.. Im from Indonesian