What is a Brickwall Limiter?

A brickwall limiter is a type of audio limiter designed to prevent a signal from exceeding a specific maximum level under any circumstances. It acts as a strict ceiling that the audio cannot pass, effectively stopping peaks from going beyond the set limit. The term “brickwall” refers to the idea that the signal hits an invisible wall and cannot go any higher.

In a brickwall limiter, the output ceiling is usually set just below the maximum digital level, often slightly under 0 dBFS in digital audio systems. When the audio signal approaches this ceiling, the limiter immediately reduces the gain so that the signal stays below the limit. This prevents clipping and distortion that would occur if the signal exceeded the maximum level.

Brickwall limiters are commonly used in mastering, broadcasting, and live audio systems where strict control of peak levels is required. They allow producers and engineers to increase the overall loudness of a track while ensuring that the signal never exceeds the allowed output level. This makes them an essential tool in modern digital audio production.