Skip to guide
← Tool guides

Audio, explained · 08 / 36

Limiter

Hold sample peaks below an output ceiling.

Visual walkthrough3 configuration controlsSynced audio walkthrough
See how it works ↓

This is sample-peak limiting. It is not a claim of true-peak or inter-sample protection, and it does not repair clipping that already happened upstream.

01 / Understand

The idea, before the settings.

The ceiling is the target maximum sample level. Look-ahead delays the signal so the limiter can react to peaks; Release determines how reduction recovers afterward.

Processed mixLimiterMeter → Output

Use it in AudioRouter

  1. Put Limiter after boosts and mixing, near the end of the audible path.
  2. Start with Ceiling −1 dBFS, Lookahead 5 ms and Release 100 ms.
  3. Play the loudest expected passage and check peak limiting.
  4. Reduce upstream levels if limiting is continuous; use Compressor for routine dynamic control.

What success looks like

Occasional sample peaks are contained while most material passes. A sample-peak ceiling is not a true-peak loudness guarantee.

If it does not work

If everything sounds flattened, reduce the level feeding the limiter instead of continually lowering Ceiling.

Select the node to open Properties. Click its name to rename it. While playing, supported parameter-only edits save after a short pause. For structural edits, use Save when the canvas marks a change. Enabled and Bypass are distinct live controls; see the in-app help for their behavior.

02 / Explore

Make the behavior visible.

The third section contains deliberately oversized peaks. The bounded example shows a sample ceiling and release, not the production lookahead algorithm.

The example repeats until you press Stop, and control changes are heard immediately. The traces are drawn from that audio, and the line marks the moment you hear. This is not a DSP measurement or control for your running AudioRouter session.

03 / Configure

Every control, with a reason.

01

Ceiling

ceilingDb

Maximum target output sample-peak level.

Range / choices-12 dBFS → 0 dBFSDefault-1 dBFS

↓ Lower / alternativeLeaves more headroom.

↑ Higher / alternativeAllows peaks closer to full scale.

Try this−1 dBFS is the default sample-peak ceiling.

Keep in mind This is not a true-peak guarantee and a later boost can exceed it.

02

Look-ahead

lookaheadMs

Delay that lets the limiter anticipate sample peaks.

Range / choices0 ms → 10 msDefault5 ms

↓ Lower / alternativeReduces intentional look-ahead and delay.

↑ Higher / alternativeAdds more look-ahead and delay.

Try this5 ms is the default.

Keep in mind Consider total monitoring latency.

03

Release

releaseMs

How quickly the processor returns after the triggering condition ends.

Range / choices10 ms → 1000 msDefault100 ms

↓ Lower / alternativeMakes recovery faster.

↑ Higher / alternativeMakes recovery slower.

Try thisTry 200 ms if 100 ms sounds abrupt.

Keep in mind Extremely quick changes can sound like pumping or distortion.

04 / Put it to work

Start with a useful example.

Example 1

Catch occasional peaks

  1. Place Limiter after EQ and gain adjustments.
  2. Start with ceiling −1 dBFS, look-ahead 5 ms and release 100 ms.
  3. Watch whether it catches occasional peaks or reduces constantly.
Example 2

Keep conversational dynamics

  1. If limiting is constant, reduce upstream Gain.
  2. Use a Compressor for broad level control and reserve Limiter for peaks.

These are starting points. Compare at a comfortable monitoring level and adjust for your own source.

05 / Get unstuck

Small details that matter.

  • A later boost can exceed this ceiling.
  • Look-ahead adds delay.
  • 0 ms look-ahead is a different reaction tradeoff, not free future knowledge.