Questions & Answers

SO5's new limiter

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asked Jul 23, 2020 in Studio One 5 by paviproczko (480 points)
I don't understand how the threshold on the limiter works. It is different now from SO4's version.

Does someone have a simple explanation for me? It screwed up my work when I transferred over to SO5, and I'd like to get back on track.

1 Answer

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answered Jul 23, 2020 by fschmidt (6,220 points)
edited Jul 23, 2020 by fschmidt

"Threshold is relative to Ceiling. Variable from Ceiling value to 12 dB below Ceiling value. Automatic make-up gain is applied as the Threshold is lowered." That's what's inside the manual...

Let me try tro find a better explanation:

Basically you lower the threshold, like you would do with a normal compressor,
just that this compressor has a ratio of infinitive:1, which effectively turns it into a limiter.
As you turn down the threshold an equal amount of make-up gain is applied
to bring your peaks back up to the output ceiling. (Otherwise the overall level would just get quieter,
just like when using a compressor without adding make up gain.)

This logic makes actually more sense than most limiters where the "threshold" is infact not a threshold
but rather an input-gain knob, that raises the level towords the "ceiling"/"output". 

...