What is a Limiter?

A limiter is an audio processing tool used to prevent a signal from exceeding a specific volume level. It is a type of compressor with a very high compression ratio, designed to strictly control peaks in an audio signal. When the audio level reaches the set threshold, the limiter reduces the gain to stop the signal from going any louder.

Limiters are commonly used to protect audio systems and prevent distortion caused by clipping. For example, during mixing or mastering, engineers may apply a limiter to ensure that the final track does not exceed the maximum allowable level. In digital audio, this often means keeping the signal below 0 dBFS, which is the highest level that can be recorded without distortion.

In addition to preventing clipping, limiters can help increase the perceived loudness of a track by controlling sharp peaks in the signal. By reducing these peaks, the overall volume of the audio can be raised without distortion. Because of this, limiters are widely used in mastering, broadcasting, and live sound reinforcement.