@Stevie Dude could you share some settings for this limiter? Plenty of options on all the signal flow, i'd like to read your impressions on each setting. I'm using bx_masterdesk pro as a mixbus channel strip, but i feel that the THD and XL are adding undesired intermodulation, and without it feels weaker, so other "opponents" would be welcome

EDIT: i saw the settings on the last bar of the first post, sorry

 

The picture on original post was quite weird because it is working too hard on the particular track. On that track, the loudest part happened to be the guitar solo part with splashy cymbals with burst once in a while, you can see the screenshot where HF Limiter is limiting a lot of high frequency. It's not like that all the time, only when there's a burst of cymbals. I already tried to tame it earlier but it happens to poke out more after the maximizing stage (could be those artifacts of limiting), which is done prior to hit this Vladg Lno6. I use Lno6 as the final limiting stage.

1. First, I gotta admit I have no so common approach to stuff since I like to experiment with things.
2. The Vladg Lno6 is working with a chain of processing that reacts to each others but it's placed last on the chain.
3. I don't do volume boost, maximizing at the final limiting stage, as I technically use 2 limiters. One as a maximizer and another to limit.
4. No specific static chain, sometimes it's just The God Particle straight to Lno6. Sometimes, 2 compressors, 2 EQs etc just depends on what I think I feel like doing.
5. This is not for mastering, as I always send the track out for mastering, this is just for the client to listen at proper volume which allow me to experiment with different shits all the time. I always send the track for mastering with no bus processing at all or sometimes just The God Particle. I believe the mastering process is more about perspective and of course I suck at it.
6. While it is possible to replace bx_Masterdesk with Lno6 I think you'll get better result with using other plugins with it too because IMO Lno6 doesn't have that sweet color "box-tone" or fairy dust stuff like the bx_Masterdesk, while it is not transparent either it could benefit with working with other plugin with color/saturation to thicken up the track if needed.

There isn't one definite settings but here's the idea how I use Lno6 :

1. I centered everything around the HF Limiter, the high frequency limiter, as it's my most favourite module of the plugin. This is inspired by watching the Lurssen Mastering duo that work with pushing or pulling everything based on how their Maselec MPL2 High Frequency Limiter reacting. Try use the IK Lurssen Mastering Console plugin if you are wondering how it works. I work with all the compressors and EQs in the chain this way too, such as pushing the Vari-Mu Compressor with EQ boost but that's another story for another day.

Spoiler: Chain

Lurssen Mastering style chain
Solid State EQ -> Tube EQ -> VariMu Comp -> HF Limiting <-> Solid State/VCA Comp -> Maximizing -> Final Limiting

1. SS EQ for correction or Bass/Treble shifting together with Tube EQ to push The VariMu Comp to get the track "floating".
2. VariMu Comp just for the tone to get the track glowing, floating. (I like Unisum on Opto mode lately)
3. HF Limiting as it name suggested. Switch position with the compressor, depends on situation.
4. VCA Comp (SSL G Bus style) for overall track dynamics. (favourite Vertigo VSC, but not everyday)
5. Maximizing for volume. (Weiss Maximizer, AOM Invisible Limiter G3 if transparency is desired)
6. Limit

2. HF Limiter will share the task with the Compressor module if it is working too hard, in the specific track like the screenshot, the cymbals burst sometimes too much so I let the compressor share the high frequency limiting task. Can be done with adding the Compressor gain and lowering the HF Limiter threshold. Adjust those two controls together until I satisfy.
3. The Compressor is in M/S mode because of the cymbals are on the Side. It depends on the track. I think it probably sound better on M/S mode at the time.
4. Clipper in multiband mode with 1db GR just to tame the peak a bit. Will adjust everything before the plugin accordingly so it won't clip more. I will always clip 1db just for the fuck of it don't care the track need or not, that 1db bad boy is going to get clipped, it's mandatory, I don't tolerate. I think the limiter will sound better this way, so have to slash them bastard peaks.
5. Peak Limiter is always stereo unlinked but will not do more than 1db GR. I don't like to link limiter because I rather have the track goes wild, just kidding.
6. I LOVE how the Peak Limiter in Lno6 doing to the low end, it's glorious! I can't describe it, it's the sound I like, especially the kick. Together with the clipper they do wonders. Couldn't get it with FF Pro-L2 on all modes, I tried. I also don't like it if the Peak Limiter is touching/limiter the high-frequency as everything that has to do with the high-frequency was done earlier by other modules. It only limit midrange and low-end.
7. For the limiting Mode I like type A or C, if type A too distort-ty, I'll use the C that has lookeahead which suppose to be cleaner. Along the way I'll try mode I, II or III and see if it sounds good, sometimes they do. The mode suppose to give option for second stage of release of the limiter which could affect the groove, making the track feel faster or slower in a way sometimes. First stage is always program dependent so can't do anything about it.
8. No volume boosting is done and I'll chose ISP Precise for the Protection section as it's the True Peak mode and limit to -1db ceiling.

I hope it will give you ideas how to make stuff work your way as I don't think there's anything worth following in my whole weird workflow. lol

here's a kpop track to watch not listen for no reason at all

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2023

The measurement results would be distorted, since limiters are not designed for static tones. That is what the fader is for.

But yes, you're right. A rendered sine pluck would work as a test signal in conjunction with a spectrum hold measurement.