Is a Limiter a Compressor?

A limiter (see WFTD archive “limiter“) is a device designed specifically to prevent audio levels from going higher than a specified point. In practice a limiter is basically a compressor with a very high compression ratio (20:1 to infiniti:1).

When should you use a limiter instead of a compressor?

Essentially, a compressor compresses the dynamic (volume) range of the track. A limiter on the other hand limits the amount of a signal passing through. Both use a user dialed in volume output cap (known as the threshold) but instead of taking the volume overage and compressing it, a limiter just completely removes it.

How are limiters different from compressors?

The difference between a compressor and a limiter is only in the compression ratio used. A limiter is intended to limit the maximum level, normally to provide overload protection. ... A compressor is used for less drastic, more creative dynamic control, and tends to use lower ratios; typically 5:1 or less.