Kratos Maximizer

Kratos Maximizer by Kuassa is a dynamic, color-free brickwall limiter that is designed to prevent clipping while maximizing loudness during mastering. I do not like digital spikes and unwanted distortion, but I do like pushing audio levels to the absolute fullest. Kratos Maximizer controls levels without adding much (if any) color, squashing, and unwanted artifacts. It's easy to use and provides instant results. The interface is neat, clean, and straightforward, featuring a big Maximize knob and four other knobs to fine-tune (texture, release, knee, ceiling). It also includes a good-sized, easy-to-read, responsive, accurate meter.

FAVORITE FEATURES

• Straightforward interface.
• Shallow (short) learning curve.
• Smooth, responsive knobs (I disagree with users who claim otherwise).
• Useful presets.
• Good price.

WILD THOUGHTS

• More presets, please.
• These guys make excellent audio plugins, but are they also an airline that flies to New Zealand?

CONCLUSION

Throughout my demoing I was able to accomplish a pleasing amount of transparent punchiness without nasty volume spikes. This is what I was after, and Kratos Maximizer did not disappoint. If you want to add overdrive or analog simulated warmth to a track or mix, this would not be the best fit for you. However, if you want a good mastering brickwall limiter/maximize, this may be what you are looking for — especially for the price. I highly recommend Kratos Maximizer and give it two LOUD and clear thumbs up. Thank you, Kuassa, for creating a fantastic mastering plugin.