limiting amplifier.. to break it down

[jetglo]

Is a limiting amplifier essentially a preamp into a compressor/limiter? Or does it entail a more complicated relationship between the two actions of raising and limiting the signal?

[mike vee]

without getting in depth a limiter and compressor are BASICALLY the same ..but thing of a limiter as a REALLY strong, fast compressor. You could have easily goggled this man....do some research.

[vernier]

It's just an amp that limits the signal output from exceeding a certain predetermined level.

[jetglo]

Yeah, Mike.. that's not what I was asking...
my question is more on the internal workings of a limiting amplifier and to the point of can the function of a limiting amplifier be replaced by a quality pre into a limiter/compressor.. or is the relationship more complicated between the two functions of an LA.

[emrr]

limiting amp, regulated output amp, compressor, limiter. All more or less the same. I think you are splitting name related hairs that don't exist. There are many different circuit topologies, but there is no naming convention that follows.

[jetglo]

Thanks for getting me on the right track.. yeah I was under the impression that a leveling/limiting amp was somehow different from a limiter.. I guess I could have found that in wikisomething. I suppose I thought that based on the simple layout of some of the old classic two knob levelers. I DO appreciate the reply! Thanks!

[vernier]

Originally Posted by jetglo

Thanks for getting me on the right track.. yeah I was under the impression that a leveling/limiting amp was somehow different from a limiter.. I guess I could have found that in wikisomething. I suppose I thought that based on the simple layout of some of the old classic two knob levelers. I DO appreciate the reply! Thanks!

Yep, its just that they called 'em limiting amplifiers. The reason for their existence was to not let a signal get too loud when transmitting over the airways, and blowing out the speaker in a receiver/radio at the other end.