Setting limiters

[Seth]

This little jewel of enlightenment is epic. Mind blown. Makes so much sense, I can't believe it didn't otherwise occur to me. I'm definitely going to include it in future limiter setting process posts. Not sure why it isn't already regularly suggested. Hmmm.

5 years later... thanks Bill! Great info!

When you have to back off well below 0dB on your mixer for the level desired. If you do that the signal to noise ratio worsens. Instead back off on the amp attenuators. That won't affect the limiting, if they can't exceed maximum voltage at full they won't exceed it at less than full.

[Bruce Weldy]

Not sure why it isn't already regularly suggested. Hmmm.

Well, probably because you will change the balance of your system when doing this with tops and subs. As long as you get your setup right - it's fine.

I think the real answer it to not take too much system for the job - then you won't have to be turning way down at the mixer.

Just as reminder - you still must set the limiters with the knobs all the way up.....don't want anyone to misunderstand Bill's suggestion.

[88h88]

Re-reading this thread because my now 12 year old (I think?) DCX finally died so I went out and bought a PA2 as a replacement and I need to set the limiters on it. I think I've got it, just need to do it.

[Bruce Weldy]

Re-reading this thread because my now 12 year old (I think?) DCX finally died so I went out and bought a PA2 as a replacement and I need to set the limiters on it. I think I've got it, just need to do it.

Just make sure the Auto Feedback is turned off.

[88h88]

Just make sure the Auto Feedback is turned off.

Noted, thanks! This little box of tricks does a lot of stuff. Took me a while to get my head round it.

[T_Gowan]

Sorry for tacking this on the end here but. Limiter attack and release times for brickwall limiter. I've seen different values suggested in different posts. What would your experience suggest as a good setting for both.

[Seth]

Sorry for tacking this on the end here but. Limiter attack and release times for brickwall limiter. I've seen different values suggested in different posts. What would your experience suggest as a good setting for both.

The important part is to have the attack set as close to zero as is possible within the device. Hold and release are a little more personal preference. I like zero hold and a long 1000ms release.