Why is the L3 the only loud master limiter available?

[positivemu]

As I consider all the plug in choices for eq, compression, reverb etc. for DP, I can only find one, rather expensive master limiter worth purchasing and that of course is the Waves L3. Having used a number of master limiters over the years in my own studio as well as many different mastering studios in the US, it seems that the L3 at $600 is the only one capable of the massive, transparent gain most of us would like to have the option of using.

I am not trying to start a discussion of the merits (and/or lack of) for squashing mixes but rather I am honestly wondering why no one else has developed a master limiter plug which would give the L3 a run for its money.

Any thoughts?

[chrispick]

I'm no specialist on the subject, but what's wrong with the UAD-1 Precision Limiter? Does it not hold up to comparison? I use iZotope Ozone3 to do my master limiting. It sounds loud and transparent to me (and allows me to color the track with emulations of tape and tube excitation, should I want).

[nixon72]

What about the one from Wave Arts? Can't remember the name, but it is a copy of the L1.

[Siryne]

i will echo chrispick: UAD1 precision limiter. To me it is better than the waves (L1, L2, L3) and can achieve very high levels of limiting and the resulting gain. I have found it to be much better, equally as loud (if that is what you are after) and far less artifacts of the limitings are audible. It is also (beware of buzz word) much warmer.

Peace!

[chrispick]

What about the one from Wave Arts? Can't remember the name, but it is a copy of the L1.

WaveArts Final Plug. They just recently upgraded it. I can't say whether or not it's a copy of the L1, but I know it has some popularity among users.

[sdfalk]

The PSP stuff is pretty solid

[sstillwell]

Ditto the UAD-1 Precision Limiter. Just as easy to use as the Waves stuff, but it doesn't cloud up the low end the way the L2 does (haven't used the L3, sorry).

Me likey.

[Timeline]

Wow! so many choices, so little money.

[Shooshie]

As I consider all the plug in choices for eq, compression, reverb etc. for DP, I can only find one, rather expensive master limiter worth purchasing and that of course is the Waves L3. Having used a number of master limiters over the years in my own studio as well as many different mastering studios in the US, it seems that the L3 at $600 is the only one capable of the massive, transparent gain most of us would like to have the option of using.

I am not trying to start a discussion of the merits (and/or lack of) for squashing mixes but rather I am honestly wondering why no one else has developed a master limiter plug which would give the L3 a run for its money.

Any thoughts?

Gee, are we really comparing limiters by how loud they get? Just put a sticker on your CD: "Turn up volume till your speakers blow! Then you'll hear the finesse we mixed into it!"



Shooshie

[positivemu]

"I am not trying to start a discussion of the merits (and/or lack of) for squashing mixes"

Shoohsie - Can't you read?

[sdfalk]

I think he was just kidding around..
Can't YOU lighten up?

[Siryne]

it seems that the L3 at $600 is the only one capable of the massive, transparent gain most of us would like to have the option of using.

"Massive transparent gain"? Sounds like suashing mixes to me. I don't think I read anything about quality only "Massive transparent gain". But what do I know?
Peace!

[positivemu]

Why don't you start a new thread where you can debate the merits/evil of using strong limiting during mastering? The point of this thread was simply to discuss the options available for such a use.

Thanks for the good input about the UAD limter. I will definitely check that out.

[sstillwell]

Well, actually, (sorry to go OT here), I DON'T use the Precision Limiter to squash the life out of my mixes. Rock stuff MAY get 2-4 dB of gain reduction on peaks, and classical BARELY gets touched ( < 1 dB)...just trying to prevent overs.

One of the nice things about the Precision Limiter is that the meters are calibrated to the K scale (K-14 in particluar). See http://digido.com/portal/pmodule_id=11/ ... page_id=59. It really helps you to make reasonable judgements about loudness and headroom when you're finalizing your mix. I say "finalizing" instead of "mastering" because I am no mastering engineer, but my clients aren't going to take my product to a mastering engineer; they're just going to either manually copy the CD or MAYBE have a small-run replication done.

Anyway...the Precision Limiter is very neutral and transparent to my ears...me likey.

Scott

[Archer]

I don't see what your problem is...If the L3 is the only plug-in you found that matches your needs/criteria, then get it. I would in this case if I had the money. Why complain?

In addition, if what you wrote is true, namely that you have experience with limiters and mastering studios, you should know that it is relatively high-priced solutions we're speaking of and, consequently, adequately priced services. Your surprise is in open contraddiction with what you wrote.

Instead of starting your thread complaining, and bashing one of the most helpful people on this forum, you could have simply asked for advice. This would have been more helpful to users and to the general tone this thread has taken.