L2 Hardware vs Software

max cooper · 7th September 2006

I've never bought from Waves, but I realize that there are things I could use L2 for once in a while.

Is the hardware just as good as the software (that's a question you don't get around here very often)?

I'd like to avoid WUP.

Erik Lutkins · 7th September 2006

We use the hardware version with good results. Every now and then I also use the Plug-in version. Never really compared sonics between them, so I'd be curious to know as well.

stevearino17 · 8th September 2006

I did a test a while back and I actually thought that the software version had a bit more oomph. the sonics{meaning frequency and sound characteristics} were identical but the software version seemed a bit more potent.
peace
steve d
www.soundspa.net

thesteve · 8th September 2006

From what I understand when you use the software plugin it "looks ahead", so any very large dynamic spikes are limited a little more softly because of the way the software reacts. I did an A-B and I actually found that the software was smoother and was slightly more transparent (perhaps because of the look ahead feature). A large amount of the cost of the hardware unit is the converters, so if you have an existing daw setup and simply need a good limiter the software is probably the better choice. I could also be so wrong its not funny... as with any info on here.

dave-G · 8th September 2006

If you share a clock signal and have the hardware in stereo link with matched settings, you can get them to null. So aside from the presence of converters, and a 2RU box, the biggest, if not the only difference with the hardware unit is that ability to run it unlinked... which some say can be preferable.

.. then again, with the hardware, you can't put it on 5 inserts in series all cranked ... Hey! Another advantage!

-dave

jdjustice · 8th September 2006

this may not be what you are looking to hear, but if you need a good mastering limiter, IMO the Sony Oxford (for around $300 USD) is just as good as the L2. I do have the L2 and I still use it, but many times I prefer the Sony. JMHO. And with Sony there is no WUP of course.

7th September 2006	#1
max cooper Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802 Thread Starter	L2 Hardware vs Software I've never bought from Waves, but I realize that there are things I could use L2 for once in a while. Is the hardware just as good as the software (that's a question you don't get around here very often)? I'd like to avoid WUP.

8th September 2006	#5
dave-G Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,486	If you share a clock signal and have the hardware in stereo link with matched settings, you can get them to null. So aside from the presence of converters, and a 2RU box, the biggest, if not the only difference with the hardware unit is that ability to run it unlinked... which some say can be preferable. .. then again, with the hardware, you can't put it on 5 inserts in series all cranked ... Hey! Another advantage! -dave __________________ DAVE GREENBERG SONOPOD MASTERING

8th September 2006	#6
jdjustice Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: US Posts: 2,361	this may not be what you are looking to hear, but if you need a good mastering limiter, IMO the Sony Oxford (for around $300 USD) is just as good as the L2. I do have the L2 and I still use it, but many times I prefer the Sony. JMHO. And with Sony there is no WUP of course. __________________ Justin Justice

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7th September 2006	#2
Erik Lutkins Gear nut Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 82	We use the hardware version with good results. Every now and then I also use the Plug-in version. Never really compared sonics between them, so I'd be curious to know as well.

8th September 2006	#3
stevearino17 Gear interested Joined: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 13	I did a test a while back and I actually thought that the software version had a bit more oomph. the sonics{meaning frequency and sound characteristics} were identical but the software version seemed a bit more potent. peace steve d www.soundspa.net

8th September 2006	#4
thesteve Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 641 1 Review written	From what I understand when you use the software plugin it "looks ahead", so any very large dynamic spikes are limited a little more softly because of the way the software reacts. I did an A-B and I actually found that the software was smoother and was slightly more transparent (perhaps because of the look ahead feature). A large amount of the cost of the hardware unit is the converters, so if you have an existing daw setup and simply need a good limiter the software is probably the better choice. I could also be so wrong its not funny... as with any info on here.