← Back to Compression, Gate & EQ

Official effect

Limiter

Stronger envelope-based peak taming with less low-end compensation than the shared compressor core.

This limiter still uses an envelope-derived divisor, but it removes the extra contour-dependent numerator boost found in the shared compressor core and raises the envelope multiplier for firmer peak control. After that stage it applies a milder low shelf and restrained high-shelf tone shaping, so the behavior is closer to compact peak containment than to a threshold/lookahead limiter.

  • Compression, Gate & EQ
  • Library #50
  • Preview 8s

Waveform preview

Static peaks come from the compiled FAUST preview render. The live scope is drawn from the browser playback output in real time.

Timeline
0:00 / 0:08
Source
Compiled browser preview
Live oscilloscope from the browser playback output.AnalyserNode keeps the signal path unchanged while exposing the waveform.

How It Works

Technical view

This limiter still uses an envelope-derived divisor, but it removes the extra contour-dependent numerator boost found in the shared compressor core and raises the envelope multiplier for firmer peak control. After that stage it applies a milder low shelf and restrained high-shelf tone shaping, so the behavior is closer to compact peak containment than to a threshold/lookahead limiter.

  • Compression, Gate & EQ
  • waveshaping / saturation
  • delay processing
  • oscillator / LFO modulation
  • DC blocking

Signal Path

Compiled preview chain

Preview source: An internally generated picked-string phrase is widened to stereo with a 19-sample right-channel delay and slight left/right shelf-EQ offsets before it hits the dynamics or EQ core.

  1. 1internal picked-string demo phrase
  2. 2stereo spread with a short right-channel delay
  3. 3envelope-driven peak reduction
  4. 4light low-shelf contour shaping
  5. 5post-processing high-shelf tone shaping
  6. 6dry / wet mix
  7. 7DC blocker
  8. 8output gain trim
  9. 9final tanh limiter

Preview source

An internally generated picked-string phrase is widened to stereo with a 19-sample right-channel delay and slight left/right shelf-EQ offsets before it hits the dynamics or EQ core.

Effect core

Envelope-dependent peak control with restrained post-limiting shelf EQ.

Signal path

The static waveform and the live player both reflect this compiled signal chain.

  • internal picked-string demo phrase
  • stereo spread with a short right-channel delay
  • envelope-driven peak reduction
  • light low-shelf contour shaping
  • post-processing high-shelf tone shaping
  • dry / wet mix
  • DC blocker
  • output gain trim
  • final tanh limiter

Controls that matter

These are the currently active controls detected in the FAUST source for this effect.

  • mix: Blends the untouched stereo preview source with the processed path after the core effect.
  • output_gain_db: Applies final post-effect level trim after DC blocking and before the output limiter.
  • squeeze: Raises the envelope multiplier inside the gain-scaling stage for firmer peak reduction.
  • tone: Adjusts the post-processing high shelf.
  • contour: Adjusts the low shelf after the limiting stage.

Code-backed analysis

The generated description is tied to the active helper blocks and routing found in the current DSP.

  • demo
  • fx
  • outputStage
  • leftDemo
  • rightDemo
  • gateCore
  • phraseMono
  • previewShiftSamples

Controls

Audible controls in this DSP

  • mix

    Active

    Blends the untouched stereo preview source with the processed path after the core effect.

    Lower settings keep more dry attack and natural dynamics; higher settings push the processed behavior forward.

  • output_gain_db

    Active

    Applies final post-effect level trim after DC blocking and before the output limiter.

    Matches loudness without changing the actual dynamic or EQ structure.

  • squeeze

    Active

    Raises the envelope multiplier inside the gain-scaling stage for firmer peak reduction.

    Clamps loud transients harder and makes the signal feel denser.

  • tone

    Active

    Adjusts the post-processing high shelf.

    Keeps the limited result darker and flatter or lets more brightness through.

  • contour

    Active

    Adjusts the low shelf after the limiting stage.

    Adds or removes low-end body after peak containment.

Analysis

Code-derived notes

Current implementation is distinct from the shared compressor core, but it is still an envelope-scaling design rather than a full lookahead limiter.

Active blocks

  • demo
  • fx
  • outputStage
  • leftDemo
  • rightDemo
  • gateCore
  • phraseMono
  • previewShiftSamples
  • pickedVoice
  • fund
  • pickEnv
  • ampEnv
  • triggerAt
  • maxDelaySamples

Inactive helpers

  • synthVoice
  • organVoice
  • bellVoice
  • softsat
  • quantize
  • combLP
  • echoOnly
  • diffuser

Warnings

No current warnings are attached to this effect.

Source

  • library/compression-gate-eq/limiter.dsp
  • Output stage: DC blocker -> output gain trim -> final tanh limiter
  • Library position: 50

More In Compression, Gate & EQ

Continue through the library

Each effect page uses the same generated description pipeline and compiled waveform preview assets.

Studio Compressor

Balanced envelope-controlled leveling with mild low-end contour shaping and a restrained high-shelf finish.

View How It Works

Optical Compressor

Smooth envelope-leveling compressor that currently uses the same gain-scaling core as Studio Compressor.

View How It Works

Parametric EQ

Three-stage EQ with low shelf, one sweepable mid peak, and a final high shelf.

View How It Works