Most transparent Maximizer / Limiter - freeware? POLL ADDED

[dickiefunk]

Hi. I'm looking for a freeware volume maximizer that I can use on my main buss and I need it to be transparent!
I've checked out quite a few :-

Aradaz Maximizer v4.3 , v5
Buzz Maxi , Buzz Maxi 3
TLS Maximizer , TLS Pocket Limiter
W1 Limiter
Classic Limiter
GVST G-Max

Which is the most transparent out of these?

Is there anything better that I've missed?

[shanecgriffo]

barricade is good, i have been using the beta - i think it has been replaced by a fairly well functioning demo
http://www.jeroenbreebaart.com./
worth a look..

[Compyfox]

Seriously? TLs Maximizer.

W1 is a clone of the Waves L1, and colours a bit, especially if you drive it too hard. Classic Limiter has a strange character to it, never likged GVST G-Max (though I do love his compressor concept), TLs Pocket Limiter colours (IMO!), Buzz Maxi might another go for it, but I always tend to go back to TbT TLs Maximizer.

Why?
Because I can drive that bastard up to 14dB(!) without pumping, which is no joke. Did that one time (on request of a client) and despite the fact that the track was basically a squarewave, it was still cristal clear sounding.

And... it's one of the lesser plugins that I can setup to -0.3dB as output limit. Classic Limiter for example is locket at -0.1dB, and that doesn't work for very, very old CD players (who even barf on -0.2dB, sometimes even up to -0.5dB).

For free, you're perfectly fine with both W1 and TLs Maximizer - these are still my main weapons of choice, even though I own a couple other limiters (like Kjaerhus MPL-1), I mostly still revert back to either one of them.

[deaneager]

barricade is good, i have been using the beta - i think it has been replaced by a fairly well functioning demo
http://www.jeroenbreebaart.com./
worth a look..

'demo' suggests that it's not freeware, as per the OP's request.

[adl]

+1 for Buzz Maxi 3

[tonAP]

TLs Maximizer for all the reasons @Compyfox has already well explained.
W1 is good too, same as for Buzz Maxi 3 (it allows out-ceiling too)

But first choice is TLs for sure.
BTW it's still the best TbT's plugin (imho)

[dark_virus]

+1 for Buzz Maxi 3

+1 I use Buzz Maxi 3 on all my works!

There's a nice limiter posted by a javanese (I think) guy some pages before (can't remember, but it's very transparent)

And there was a website with a free limiters comparative test but, unfortunately, it went offline some time ago.

[zeep]

There was a thread here recently with a whole bunch of compressors/limiters tested for transparency. The reacomp came out very transparent. I for one love the rea- plugs.
They're all free and awesome and low cpu.

http://www.kvraudio.com/get.php?mode=show&id=2670

[sb.net]

+1 for Buzz Maxi 3

EVEN BETTER THAN THAT!!

http://www.x-buz.com/BuzComp.html

LT1 I use that on everything!!

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for the replies. I've just added a poll.

[Download SOphist]

i'd go with barricade.

[Compyfox]

Thanks for the replies. I've just added a poll.

A poll is useless in this case, seriously. Cause people will go for their preferred tool. Try them for yourself, drive them to their limits (and over their limits). If the limiter is transparent to you, it's just the right tool that you need.

We can't help you deciding what's good for "you", as everyone has different tastes.

[dasdeck]

i find the aradaz better then the ones mentioned here.
buzzmaxi 3 for example is nice, but it stresses the ears whe driven hard.

i think i should look out for my faourite limiter(s) as i tent to like them really much lately

[BFunKu]

barricade is good, i have been using the beta - i think it has been replaced by a fairly well functioning demo
http://www.jeroenbreebaart.com./
worth a look..

'demo' suggests that it's not freeware, as per the OP's request.

barricade is freeware. barricade Pro is not.

[A.M. Gold]

But we are wondering when Barricade Pro will be payware that you can pay for and what we will be paying for it...