PA Brainworx bx_XL V3 *NEW*

[plexuss]

I searched and was surprised there wasn't a thread for bx_xl. This is a kind of classic multi-band limiter. I used it quite a bit as V1 and V2. I stopped using it when I discovered it wasn't a true peak limiter. Granted it was made before true peak became widely important. It could have also been an over-sight...

PA just released bx_XL V3. Looks interesting. When logged in I get an offer of $20 to upgrade. Not a bad price. It's probably worth checking out because with true peak fixed it could be a nice sounding limiter with a lot of flexibility. Also the new UI...

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... xl_v3.html

PA Product page marketing hype:

OVERVIEW
Maximize loudness and maintain clarity
The bx_XL V3 empowers mastering engineers to achieve loud mixes without sacrificing clarity. Utilizing the mid/side technology from Brainworx’s groundbreaking bx_digital EQ, you can split the mid channel into two bands (low and high). This allows for control over three individual channels – mid-low, mid-high, and side – resulting in increased loudness and significantly enhanced clarity with fewer artifacts and greater punch.

Hear the power of four limiters
The Crossover Frequency slider lets you define where the mid-low band ends and the mid-high band begins. This allows you to separate the kick drum and apply different limiting from the rest of your mid signal – an essential technique for mixes that need a strong bottom end, such as dance, rap, techno, and rock. After the three channels in the bx_XL V3 are combined back into a stereo signal, the mix is run through a true peak limiter. This means four stages of limiting, resulting in loud and crystal-clear stereo mixes.

Warm up mixes with XL saturation
The XL knobs add warmth to your mixes by introducing third and fifth-order harmonics. A special filtering process prevents aliasing, ensuring your mixes remain free of artifacts. This additional harmonic content enhances perceived loudness without significantly increasing your music’s output level.

Listen to the finest details
Building on the legacy of the bx_XL V2 – the first mid/side mastering limiter to allow individual auditioning of mid/side signals with phase correction using Phase-X crossover filters – V3 includes a three-band “psychoacoustic” loudness maximizer and a variety of detailed mastering meters, making it a top-tier dynamics and loudness control system.

FEATURES
True peak limiter
Dual-band mid/side processing
Four limiting stages
Adjustable crossover frequency
Advanced Brainworx UI
Mono Maker
Sidechain circuit
True peak, RMS, gain reduction, LUFS, and correlation meters

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[kraster]

This is really lovely, imho.

I'd much prefer this to their broadband limiter.

It just seems a lot smoother. Nice degree of control without being overbearing.

Nice deal for 20 bucks.

[plexuss]

I just tested it out with Apple's ISP monitor AURoundTripAAC which has the ISP algo in it and shows how many potential ISPs could be generated on the source and on an encoded format. The True Peak Limiter in XL V3 needed to be at ceiling of -0.5 dB in order to prevent ISP warnings. Pretty typical. I was driving it hard with a D&B preset on Batalion. Loudness was pusing -4 LUFS. Not bad. I like that they didnt let XL die and updated it. It's a good limiter.