The problem: When I create a new track in Cubase, I generally turn down the volume from -12 to 18dB for headroom. If I load up an effect plugin on that track and switch through presets, the level can jump to 6dB in some cases.

I can turn everything down manually of course but is there a way (using a limiter perhaps) to control the spikes?

If that’s the right tool, what are some suggested settings?

Anyone else even deal with this? I asked on another forum and it was like I had two heads.

 

A compressor, I suppose? It can be basically a spike smasher. A limiter is usually a mix bus plugin. On channels and busses one would use serial compression more commonly.

There is no answer in principle, you set it up case by case. The only right path is to understand what a compressor is, how it works, what its effects are etc. Here's a very good video on that:

It's very long, but in my opinion the immersion on the subject pays off.

By the way, when you say you're turning down the volume, are you refering to the mix faders?

 

If your concern is that you have pushed the output to your monitors up a lot, and those jumps in presets' gain can be way too loud and even damage hearing or monitors; use a limiter on your master. You want one of the brickwall variety to use as what some people will call a "safety limiter". Google "safety limiter" and you will end up with a thousand suggestions, but they are all the same in end goal.

Just don't forget to bypass it later.

 

Thanks, no I’m referring to the track Gain setting

 

I always limit it with a limiter if it goes above zero at the output! Sometimes it just doesn't work without a limiter!
I just use the default settings and don't adjust anything in the limiter.

 

@ARNKxx says: Do you put this on your main out or per track?

Only with the inserts - see photo!