ΛΛLT - MSTSTOP
The One Stop for mastering modern music. This limiter uses 2 limiters in sequence to get control and level to your mixes while being able to effectively control dynamics depending on the source material.
Using a Clipper and Soft Limiter Together
Including a clipper followed by a soft limiter is effective for achieving healthy gain levels while preserving dynamics. The clipper manages excessive peaks, reducing distortion and controlling loudness. The soft limiter then gently compresses remaining peaks, ensuring smooth, natural sound without sacrificing dynamic range. This combination maintains a balanced output with minimal artifacts.
Signal Chain
Low Pass at 25khz, High pass at 20Hz (invisible) on input signal
Gain control into Clipper, traditional ultrafast clipper focusing on transient details (entire limiter can be toggled on off) (Lookahead 0ms, Attack 10s, Release 0ms) (Punchy style)
Gain control into Super soft limiter with soft knee, maximized for achieving loud levels, possible parallel compression embed (entire limiter can be toggled on off) (Lookahead 4.603ms, Attack 4.1s, release 420ms) (Modern style)
LUFS Meter showing short term loudness (integration time of 3s)
Additional notes and resources:
HOVERSTATE TEXT over LUFS METER:
Understanding LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale)
LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is a measurement of audio loudness that reflects human perception, ensuring consistent playback levels across different platforms. Our VST plugin specifically measures short-term LUFS, capturing loudness over a 3-second window.
Average Gain Levels of Famous Artists:
Metallica ("Enter Sandman"): ~-5 LUFS (loud)
Ed Sheeran ("Shape of You"): ~-7 LUFS
Adele ("Rolling in the Deep"): ~-9 LUFS
Billie Eilish ("bad guy"): ~-11 LUFS
Norah Jones ("Don't Know Why"): ~-16 LUFS (quiet)
Streaming Service Targets:
Spotify: -14 LUFS
Apple Music: -16 LUFS
YouTube: -13 LUFS
Tidal: -14 LUFS
Amazon Music: -14 LUFS
Using LUFS helps achieve balanced mixes that sound great across all listening environments.
Key Components of the fabfilter “Modern” Limiter
Look-Ahead Buffer:
A look-ahead buffer allows the limiter to anticipate incoming peaks. Typically, this is a delay of a few milliseconds.
Advanced Attack and Release Handling:
Smooth attack and release times, often dynamically adjusting to the audio signal to avoid distortion and pumping artifacts.
Oversampling:
High oversampling rates (e.g., 4x, 8x) to reduce aliasing and handle inter-sample peaks.
Adaptive Release:
Release times that adapt to the input signal to maintain transparency and avoid pumping.
True Peak Limiting:
Ensuring that inter-sample peaks are handled correctly to prevent distortion during digital-to-analog conversion.
Transparent Gain Reduction:
Minimizing audible artifacts while applying gain reduction.
The One Stop for mastering modern music. This limiter uses 2 limiters in sequence to get control and level to your mixes while being able to effectively control dynamics depending on the source material.
Using a Clipper and Soft Limiter Together
Including a clipper followed by a soft limiter is effective for achieving healthy gain levels while preserving dynamics. The clipper manages excessive peaks, reducing distortion and controlling loudness. The soft limiter then gently compresses remaining peaks, ensuring smooth, natural sound without sacrificing dynamic range. This combination maintains a balanced output with minimal artifacts.
Signal Chain
Low Pass at 25khz, High pass at 20Hz (invisible) on input signal
Gain control into Clipper, traditional ultrafast clipper focusing on transient details (entire limiter can be toggled on off) (Lookahead 0ms, Attack 10s, Release 0ms) (Punchy style)
Gain control into Super soft limiter with soft knee, maximized for achieving loud levels, possible parallel compression embed (entire limiter can be toggled on off) (Lookahead 4.603ms, Attack 4.1s, release 420ms) (Modern style)
LUFS Meter showing short term loudness (integration time of 3s)
Additional notes and resources:
HOVERSTATE TEXT over LUFS METER:
Understanding LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale)
LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is a measurement of audio loudness that reflects human perception, ensuring consistent playback levels across different platforms. Our VST plugin specifically measures short-term LUFS, capturing loudness over a 3-second window.
Average Gain Levels of Famous Artists:
Metallica ("Enter Sandman"): ~-5 LUFS (loud)
Ed Sheeran ("Shape of You"): ~-7 LUFS
Adele ("Rolling in the Deep"): ~-9 LUFS
Billie Eilish ("bad guy"): ~-11 LUFS
Norah Jones ("Don't Know Why"): ~-16 LUFS (quiet)
Streaming Service Targets:
Spotify: -14 LUFS
Apple Music: -16 LUFS
YouTube: -13 LUFS
Tidal: -14 LUFS
Amazon Music: -14 LUFS
Using LUFS helps achieve balanced mixes that sound great across all listening environments.
Key Components of the fabfilter “Modern” Limiter
Look-Ahead Buffer:
A look-ahead buffer allows the limiter to anticipate incoming peaks. Typically, this is a delay of a few milliseconds.
Advanced Attack and Release Handling:
Smooth attack and release times, often dynamically adjusting to the audio signal to avoid distortion and pumping artifacts.
Oversampling:
High oversampling rates (e.g., 4x, 8x) to reduce aliasing and handle inter-sample peaks.
Adaptive Release:
Release times that adapt to the input signal to maintain transparency and avoid pumping.
True Peak Limiting:
Ensuring that inter-sample peaks are handled correctly to prevent distortion during digital-to-analog conversion.
Transparent Gain Reduction:
Minimizing audible artifacts while applying gain reduction.
The One Stop for mastering modern music. This limiter uses 2 limiters in sequence to get control and level to your mixes while being able to effectively control dynamics depending on the source material.
Using a Clipper and Soft Limiter Together
Including a clipper followed by a soft limiter is effective for achieving healthy gain levels while preserving dynamics. The clipper manages excessive peaks, reducing distortion and controlling loudness. The soft limiter then gently compresses remaining peaks, ensuring smooth, natural sound without sacrificing dynamic range. This combination maintains a balanced output with minimal artifacts.
Signal Chain
Low Pass at 25khz, High pass at 20Hz (invisible) on input signal
Gain control into Clipper, traditional ultrafast clipper focusing on transient details (entire limiter can be toggled on off) (Lookahead 0ms, Attack 10s, Release 0ms) (Punchy style)
Gain control into Super soft limiter with soft knee, maximized for achieving loud levels, possible parallel compression embed (entire limiter can be toggled on off) (Lookahead 4.603ms, Attack 4.1s, release 420ms) (Modern style)
LUFS Meter showing short term loudness (integration time of 3s)
Additional notes and resources:
HOVERSTATE TEXT over LUFS METER:
Understanding LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale)
LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is a measurement of audio loudness that reflects human perception, ensuring consistent playback levels across different platforms. Our VST plugin specifically measures short-term LUFS, capturing loudness over a 3-second window.
Average Gain Levels of Famous Artists:
Metallica ("Enter Sandman"): ~-5 LUFS (loud)
Ed Sheeran ("Shape of You"): ~-7 LUFS
Adele ("Rolling in the Deep"): ~-9 LUFS
Billie Eilish ("bad guy"): ~-11 LUFS
Norah Jones ("Don't Know Why"): ~-16 LUFS (quiet)
Streaming Service Targets:
Spotify: -14 LUFS
Apple Music: -16 LUFS
YouTube: -13 LUFS
Tidal: -14 LUFS
Amazon Music: -14 LUFS
Using LUFS helps achieve balanced mixes that sound great across all listening environments.
Key Components of the fabfilter “Modern” Limiter
Look-Ahead Buffer:
A look-ahead buffer allows the limiter to anticipate incoming peaks. Typically, this is a delay of a few milliseconds.
Advanced Attack and Release Handling:
Smooth attack and release times, often dynamically adjusting to the audio signal to avoid distortion and pumping artifacts.
Oversampling:
High oversampling rates (e.g., 4x, 8x) to reduce aliasing and handle inter-sample peaks.
Adaptive Release:
Release times that adapt to the input signal to maintain transparency and avoid pumping.
True Peak Limiting:
Ensuring that inter-sample peaks are handled correctly to prevent distortion during digital-to-analog conversion.
Transparent Gain Reduction:
Minimizing audible artifacts while applying gain reduction.