Need a Waves L3 Alternative

[dix]

I'm hoping to use the move to 64bit DP8 to finally kick Waves to the curb. The only plugin I still find essential is L3. Every once in a while I demo the competitors, but L3 always wins my little shootouts. Its been a few years since I shopped around. Can anyone recommend an alternative Limiter/Maximizer to L3. Ideally something that's 64bit.

Thanks!

[Prime Mover]

You talking about the Multimaximizer or just the UltraMaximizer. Because if all you're looking for is the Ultra, MOTUs standard MWLimiter is pretty close. I love the Multi, and I love Waves plugins, so I'm not trying to get rid of them, but it sounds like for you, the MWLimiter is fine.

[dix]

Right, the MultiMaximizer is my go-to. I've tried the MWLimiter. It doesn't sound as good as the Waves Limiters to my ear. The other ones I demoed as I recall are the Sonnox Inflator, PSP Xenon, Blue Cat's limiter, the UAD Maximizer. None were as transparent as Waves'. Again, its been awhile. I probably should check out the latest versions, plus any new-comers. ...Anyone like the Izotope limiter?

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Kubi]

Best sounding software limiter/maximizer I've found yet is the Slate FG-X. On sale this month:
http://www.slatedigital.com/products/fgx/

Blows Waves L3 out of the water IMNSHO...



(Doesn't have the multi-band component, but if you need that you can just use a DMG Equality in linear phase mode before the limiter, and voila. Or, for multi-band compression, use the very nice DDMF LinComp before the Slate FG-X: http://www.ddmf.eu/product.php?id=10)

[dix]

Thanks for the reco Kubi. Your unhumble opinion is valuable. I'll check it out. I effing love the Slate VTM plugin!

Shall I infer from your lack of endorsement of dp8's new multi-compressor that you prefer the DMG, or have you not upgraded yet?

[kgdrum]

Best sounding software limiter/maximizer I've found yet is the Slate FG-X. On sale this month:
http://www.slatedigital.com/products/fgx/

Blows Waves L3 out of the water IMNSHO...



(Doesn't have the multi-band component, but if you need that you can just use a DMG Equality in linear phase mode before the limiter, and voila. Or, for multi-band compression, use the very nice DDMF LinComp before the Slate FG-X: http://www.ddmf.eu/product.php?id=10)

FG-X is great but it's also 32bit,I talked to Slate Digital tech support recently,
fwiw they "hope" to have it updated to 64bit early next year,eta sometime 1st quarter,again hopefully.

[James Steele]

Love Slate FG-X!

[Kubi]

Shall I infer from your lack of endorsement of dp8's new multi-compressor that you prefer the DMG, or have you not upgraded yet?

Not upgraded yet. If Slate is not 64bit, I'll be a while before I go to DP8... that's Slate, SoundToys and Abbey Road that have yet to go 64.

Btw, the DMG EQuality is an EQ (my fav all-purpose 'non-character' EQ -- the guy who wrote it used to code for Sonalksis), not a multi band comp. I was just trying to think of alternate scenarios to make up for the lack of multi band functionality in Slate FG-X. The DDMF LinComp is a nice linear-phase multi-band that doesn't break the bank.

I'm almost ready to ditch Waves... still need an alternate for Doubler, that one comes in handy.

[dix]

Finally got around to getting FG-X. It failed DP 7.24's AU inspection. Bidule is also unhappy with it. It passes DP8's, but I'm not able to use 8 yet for work. Any ideas?

[kgdrum]

Finally got around to getting FG-X. It failed DP 7.24's AU inspection. Bidule is also unhappy with it. It passes DP8's, but I'm not able to use 8 yet for work. Any ideas?

That's weird,I originally used FG-X in 7.24,maybe it's the OS I was in 10.68 back then.

[James Steele]

Finally got around to getting FG-X. It failed DP 7.24's AU inspection. Bidule is also unhappy with it. It passes DP8's, but I'm not able to use 8 yet for work. Any ideas?

That's weird,I originally used FG-X in 7.24,maybe it's the OS I was in 10.68 back then.

Same here. Passed for me in 7.24. I was also (and still am) on Snow Leopard.

[dix]

After a re-examination today it passed inspection. Don't know what changed. Anyway, Thanks! Carry on…

[kgdrum]

Great! Cheers!!

[James Steele]

After a re-examination today it passed inspection. Don't know what changed. Anyway, Thanks! Carry on…

good news! Let us know how you like it.

[dix]

Well, it's a real nice plugin and I'm glad I bought it, but it's no replacement for the L3. FG-X is much more about polishing and finessing your mixes than transparent limiting. I'm (still) looking for something that, ideally, I could swap with the L3 in sequences that are currently using it. In most cases where I tried that with FG-X I get a lot of aggressive "character" at best and distortion and over-saturation at worst.

Thanks!