I heard that many mixes without a limiter on the master, that is, on an empty master altogether. And I know that some people like to mix right away with a limiter. Which method do you use?
Personally, I can't mix without a limiter, I don't know why, maybe it's not right, a mix without a limiter seems to me raw, and when you mix with a limiter, everything sounds right.

 

for me the master limiter barely works , I do all my limiting and clipping on the mix busses and individual tracks

 

do you mean that you do all the final processing on the channels? and not on the master?

 

They are mixing- and mastering processes (not specifically "mastering processes"). Yes, I use compressors, saturators, distortion, exciters, limiters, etc during mixing. I try to get as good mix as possible (with hardware gear on my 2-bus for extra character). That way the mastering process is just a gentle waxing and wipe-off.
EDit: Even though the mastering chain might contain several limiters in series, where each does a little.

 

Last edited: Sep 9, 2021

For me mastering is only when the volume of the track rises, all the nuances with "parasitic frequencies" are solved during the mixing

 

I have this habit of mixing with a limiter, it remained because Fl Studio initially gives a project with a limiter (yes, there are starting projects without a limiter)

 

Same.
In my shitty music, the limiter in the master is just to catch one of two peaks or grab very little, normally the main limiting is done on the busses.
No idea what I'm doing, really, just the way I work.

 

I am using a BrainWorx Limiter. Some frequencies are difficult to control and the level sometimes goes above O dB - then I turn on the limiter and everything is fine. Most of the time I can do without a limiter.

 

3 limiters in series with 30dB GR each works all the time for me. People can't complain about dynamics if there are no dynamics

Seriously though, i don't really use limiters on the master bus too often, and when i do they are barely doing anything, but i can see how some heavy limiting can be useful for some sources (which i assume is what you're doing, since you can hear it "sounds right"). Just don't assume it will give you good results all the time. Do what you feel the music needs and be critical about it. If it works, it works, there are no LIMITS, and so much to GAIN...i'll shut up now.

 

I only have a limiter (or if tracking, Fircomp 2) on the master to catch loud transient, just as a safety. It doesn't do anything otherwise. In some cases I have a mastering comp on while mixing, but not always.

 

I have are a couple plugins on my master during a mix, ones that'll be on the final mastering of the track, to keep a general reference.
I have a preamp (I currently use Fuse Audio's VPRE-31A on every channel, 'cuz it's warm 'n crunchy 'n dark, and the master channel is no exception,) a -12dB Butterworth cut at 24Hz as a final cleanup, and since I usually try and get any/most of my compression done on my busses, I *usually only have a tape plugin for a sort of final glue on my master, but I only switch this on from time to time to get a feel for it, as opposed to leaving it on the entire mix session.
As for the limiter, I never mix anywhere close to hot, with EBusLim on my post-master just as 0dB+ protection if something glitches.

 

I don't use a limiter but I would use it for safety, when sudden loud peaks could damage my equipment or my ears.

 

If I need to hear how my mix will sound after mastering I enable the limiter. I use it at times to check if the mix is sounding the way I want at higher volumes. The thing is, I mix at low volumes. So bass and highs sound quite low and I boost them. But when I increase the volume, it sounds like the mid is underpowered. Also using a limiter gives a better idea of the stereo separation, because everything at lower volumes sounds a little far away. This way I can also reduce checking SPAN too frequently

 

If I can't reach my desired LUFS without 3db or more of gain reduction, then I need to go back to track level and fix it there. So no, my limiter only catches peaks max 2db and no processing needed further. Everything can be done on track/bus level.

 

i am exporting to 32 bit since 20 years, so i couldnt care less.

where i use limiters is somewhere else: when recording analog sources, i am using 16 channels of analog compressors with "gate" option as "security limiter".

 

No, i trust my gain stating.

 

If you are mixing with a view to having your mix mastered, then no. Produce the best mix you can and let the track be properly mastered. If you think you know how to mix and master (and not many people really do) then go ahead. It might sound great, but it's no guarantee it's a good final product.

 

Limiter on the master that does nothing. only there to catch peaks for the love and health of the ears.

 

Best 80 bucks I ever spent except for those four Thai Sticks back in '86. They were sweeeeet!

FIR Comp on the instrument/vocal busses and the TDR Limiter°6 GE on thr 2Buss.





I don't master so all is good.

 

Last edited: Sep 9, 2021