[Lagerfeldt]

WHAT
Here's a little something I toyed around with earlier today. A limiter comparison.

Thanks to all those who contributed!

The same track at approximately the same level of RMS (+/- a few fractions only).

Posted with permission from the artist/label naturally.

DIY - guide lines
I've included the original 24 bit master without limiter so you can test with your favorite limiter or favorite settings. But aim for the same RMS level - so do your own level check of my files and your file. Output level is -0.12 dBFS or as close as possible. The straight clipping file (E) was not lowered, so that one peaks at 0 dBFS.

If anyone wants to play along please DO NOT post your version here but send me a YouSendit.com or server link (via PM) and I'll check the RMS value and provide a link in this post.

If you feel you can do an overall better version using one of the already included limiters please let me know and I'll swap my version for your better version.

NO other processing in any way other than the limiter is allowed apart from dithering (your choice but POW-r#3 if possible). Remember it's gotta be a 16 bit file.

DOWNLOAD
Included in my session are the following files (for now):

[files removed, check later posts for new links]

A Sonnox Oxford Limiter
B Waves L2
C Waves L3 UltraMaximizer
D Flux Pure Limiter
E Sonalksis FreeG clipping
F Voxengo Elephant 3
G Ozone Limiter
H Timeworks Master Compressor clipping
I UAD Precision Limiter

X Original 24 bit master without limiter

MY OWN OBSERVATIONS
A Lots of nice transients but also a tad pumpy which suits the track fine in this case
B Slightly muddy and significant loss of transients
C Woah, this is not good. Basic Profile with manual release.
D Very nice and less pumping than A but also slightly less transient info remains than in A and G
E Straight clipping works well here but some harshness in the top and less low level detail/less warmth is the price you pay
F Somewhat like L2 but less distortion and over all somewhat better sound
G Very little pumping and nice fullness in the sound, surprisingly much transient info seems to remain
H Too much coloration in the upper mids and somewhat sterile but a bit of clipping is fine
I Slightly too much coloration overall, and a loss of transients but otherwise fine

I'd probably go for A (Sonnox Oxford) or G (Ozone Limiter). If the client wanted even hotter I'd add 0.5 to 1 dB of clipping post fader. In some cases the Flux Pure Limiter (D) would be my choice instead.

Cheers!