Limiter
Linked or independent sample-peak limiting with hold and adaptive release.
- Dynamics
- Since 0.2.0
- dynamics
- ceiling
- clipping
- safety
A limiter keeps a signal under a ceiling. Put one at the end of a chain to protect against sudden loud peaks.
What it does#
The limiter looks at each sample and turns the gain down just enough that the output does not exceed Ceiling. It adds no latency. Release sets how quickly the gain recovers and Hold keeps the reduction for a moment first. Channel link ties all channels of a bundle to the strongest one so the image does not shift.
It limits sample peaks only. It is not a true-peak limiter, so peaks between samples can still exceed the ceiling after digital-to-analog conversion.
When to use it#
Use it as a final safety stage, after gain boosts or Drive, or on a sum of several sources. For smoother level control use the Compressor.
Ports#
| Port | Direction | Signal | Lanes |
|---|---|---|---|
audio | Input | Audio | Inferred from the cable |
audio | Output | Audio | Inferred from the cable |
Parameters#
| Parameter | Label | Range | Default | Unit | Scale | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ceiling | Ceiling | -24 to 0 | -1 | dBFS | linear | Sample-peak ceiling. This is not an intersample true-peak guarantee. |
release | Release | 1 to 1000 | 80 | ms | log | Gain-reduction recovery time constant. |
hold | Hold | 0 to 250 | 0 | ms | linear | Holds attenuation before recovery. |
auto_release | Adaptive release | 0 to 1 | 0 | linear | Blends the chosen release with a slower recovery after sustained reduction. | |
link | Channel link | 0 to 1 | 1 | linear | Blends independent detectors with the strongest detector across the entire bundle. |
Ceiling (ceiling)#
The highest sample level allowed, from -24 to 0 dBFS. The default is -1 dBFS.
Release (release)#
The gain recovery time, from 1 to 1000 ms.
Hold (hold)#
Holds gain reduction for up to 250 ms before recovery begins.
Adaptive release (auto_release)#
Blends the chosen Release with a slower recovery after sustained reduction.
Channel link (link)#
From independent detectors (0) to one detector following the strongest channel across the bundle (1).
Tips#
- Heavy limiting makes sound flatter and louder. Stop when it stops sounding natural.
- Leave a little headroom with a ceiling around -1 dBFS.
- Use Adaptive release to avoid pumping on sustained loud material.
See also#
Compressor, Gain, Drive.
Help patches
Each help patch is an ordinary Toy that teaches one idea. The diagram shows the Patch; the preview shows its Frame. Open it in TuneToys to play and edit it.
1. Stop clipping on a hot signal
beginner Teaches: ceiling, release, hold, auto_release, link
A deliberately hot level boosted by gain, then limited.
Connections as text
- Oscillator audio output connected to Gain audio input
- Gain audio output connected to Limiter audio input
- Limiter audio output connected to Patch outputs audio input
- The gain stage makes the saw wave loud on purpose. Lower Ceiling to hear it held down.
- The limiter works on sample peaks, not true peaks between samples.
Related nodes
- Compressor Peak/RMS compression with a sidechain key input, detector filtering, hold, adaptive release and channel linking.
- Gain A clean stereo gain stage.
- Drive Four nonlinear shapers with DC removal, tone and latency-aligned filtered oversampling.