Waves L2 Ultramaximizer Question

**Riccardo** · 15th June 2003, 02:26 PM

I was looking to hear from people who use or have used the hardware version of the Waves L2 (the black box) and if anybody has actually had the chance of comparing it to the software plug version (L2, not L1+).
Thrill, Jules, Brad or anybody who has or has had one?
Many thanks

jazzius · 15th June 2003, 03:16 PM

I've got both the hardware and software versions, and i think they're identical in terms of sound........others will swear the hardware box sounds better but i don't concur........actually, i've been meaning to do a null test for ages just to prove it to myself.

**Riccardo** · 15th June 2003, 03:29 PM

Thanks Jazzius,
if that is the case, the price difference would be shocking. I have seen of quite a few people with DAW using the hardware box and I was wondering if they do it because it sounds better as it doesn't go "through" a DAW but if you think they sound the same......yes you get A/d and D/A converters....but it is approximately 7 times more money then the plug!

jazzius · 15th June 2003, 03:36 PM

Don't forget with the hardware L2 you're also getting a fairly high quality 96k AD/DA converter......

....but yes, for around the same price you could buy a cheap pc, an external AD/DA (or maybe a lynx card) and the plugin plus some software to host it.......a lot of hassle if all you wanted was a hardware digital limiter.....

...also, you'll get less latency with the hardware unit

Brad Blackwood · 15th June 2003, 04:04 PM

Also realize that for process on load-in mastering guys like myself (and most others for that matter), waiting to add the limiting isn't a good idea as the amount of limiting needed will influence upstream processing to some degree...

**Riccardo** · 15th June 2003, 04:26 PM

Thanks again Jazzius!
I have got a DAW and external converters so it would be more cost effective for me to use the software version.
I was puzzled just because people with a similar set up (DAW and external converters) are using the hardware box.
That's why I thought "must sound at least different if not better".

**Riccardo** · 16th June 2003, 09:07 PM

Thanks Brad, I thought that proxessing on load-in as the majority of ME do could have been reason for its popularity instead of the plug version.
Do you think it is possible to get a similar transparent (when judiciously used... of course) limiting with an analog device like.....an STC8/M?

Brad Blackwood · 16th June 2003, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Riccardo
Do you think it is possible to get a similar transparent (when judiciously used... of course) limiting with an analog device like.....an STC8/M?

Not in my experience. I've never seen an analog limiter capable of what can be achieved via look-ahead digital limiting...

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15th June 2003, 02:26 PM	#1
Riccardo Mastering Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Always on the Run Posts: 1,425	Waves L2 Ultramaximizer Question I was looking to hear from people who use or have used the hardware version of the Waves L2 (the black box) and if anybody has actually had the chance of comparing it to the software plug version (L2, not L1+). Thrill, Jules, Brad or anybody who has or has had one? Many thanks

15th June 2003, 04:04 PM	#5
Brad Blackwood Craneslut Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The home of Rock-n-Roll, Memphis, TN Posts: 1,767	Also realize that for process on load-in mastering guys like myself (and most others for that matter), waiting to add the limiting isn't a good idea as the amount of limiting needed will influence upstream processing to some degree... __________________ Brad Blackwood euphonic masters "What do I buy and how do I set it?"

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15th June 2003, 03:16 PM	#2
jazzius Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Amsterdam.....The Netherlands Posts: 594	I've got both the hardware and software versions, and i think they're identical in terms of sound........others will swear the hardware box sounds better but i don't concur........actually, i've been meaning to do a null test for ages just to prove it to myself.

15th June 2003, 03:29 PM	#3
Riccardo Mastering Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Always on the Run Posts: 1,425	Thanks Jazzius, if that is the case, the price difference would be shocking. I have seen of quite a few people with DAW using the hardware box and I was wondering if they do it because it sounds better as it doesn't go "through" a DAW but if you think they sound the same......yes you get A/d and D/A converters....but it is approximately 7 times more money then the plug!

15th June 2003, 03:36 PM	#4
jazzius Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Amsterdam.....The Netherlands Posts: 594	Don't forget with the hardware L2 you're also getting a fairly high quality 96k AD/DA converter...... ....but yes, for around the same price you could buy a cheap pc, an external AD/DA (or maybe a lynx card) and the plugin plus some software to host it.......a lot of hassle if all you wanted was a hardware digital limiter..... ...also, you'll get less latency with the hardware unit

15th June 2003, 04:26 PM	#6
Riccardo Mastering Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Always on the Run Posts: 1,425	Thanks again Jazzius! I have got a DAW and external converters so it would be more cost effective for me to use the software version. I was puzzled just because people with a similar set up (DAW and external converters) are using the hardware box. That's why I thought "must sound at least different if not better".

16th June 2003, 09:07 PM	#7
Riccardo Mastering Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Always on the Run Posts: 1,425	Thanks Brad, I thought that proxessing on load-in as the majority of ME do could have been reason for its popularity instead of the plug version. Do you think it is possible to get a similar transparent (when judiciously used... of course) limiting with an analog device like.....an STC8/M?