Difference between a limiter and a maximizer?

[Hink]

I guess there are different maximizers as well....like the Waves L2 which alows you to lower the peaks so you can raise the below stuff. Works more like a limiter i think. But they call it maximizer.

I call that a compressor

[rymdis]

So to recap it here

A maximizer can be like the BBE sonic maximizer which colors the sound to give a "better" sound, adding harmonics or whatever it does.

Or, it can be like the Waves L2 Maximizer which work more like a limiter allowing you to lower the transients in order to raise the below stuff. Maybe it adds something in the process as they call it "maximizer"?

And a regular limiter alows you to lower the transients so that you can boost the overall volume, adding nothing in the process, or?

[bduffy]

I disagree with recap #1: that's just BBE's silly name, and it's a red herring in terms of the debate.

And, I don't know...maximzer, limiter...they're both using compression to achieve their goals, and I suppose often "maximizers" use proprietary algorithms to better handle release times...but that's true of limiters too!

I would say maximizers are usually purely intended to raise the volume of the track, probably have auto-gain compensation, whereas a limiter can be a simple peak-stopper or a more advanced unit like MPL-1. Still the same shoite to me.

[rymdis]

I disagree with recap #1: that's just BBE's silly name, and it's a red herring in terms of the debate.

And, I don't know...maximzer, limiter...they're both using compression to achieve their goals, and I suppose often "maximizers" use proprietary algorithms to better handle release times...but that's true of limiters too!

I would say maximizers are usually purely intended to raise the volume of the track, probably have auto-gain compensation, whereas a limiter can be a simple peak-stopper or a more advanced unit like MPL-1. Still the same shoite to me.

yep, probably the same....a maximizer can work as a limiter too i guess but a limiter cant work as a maximizer well, it lets you maximize the overall volume so maybe it can maybe just different names

[chicken muffin]

hmm. the answers quite simple really. a limiter limits and a maximizer maximizes

[stanlea]

gnagnagnagnagna

[bduffy]

nyuck nyuck nyuck

[matt42]

er... How about limiting is a term with a reasonably fixed meaning. Where as maximizing could mean anything a marketing guy might conceive?

Or, blerg blerg blerg blahgh!

[2NDMOUSE]

I don't know if it's correct or not, but my understanding is that if you set the limiter threshold at -3db and just leave it , without adjusting anything else, it's purely a limiter as it limits the peaks from exceeding past the threshold.
If you push up the gain, to increase the volume of everything below the threshold, it is then essentially, maximizing the rms of the signal.

[Kwurqx]

I don't know if it's correct or not, but my understanding is that if you set the limiter threshold at -3db and just leave it , without adjusting anything else, it's purely a limiter as it limits the peaks from exceeding past the threshold.
If you push up the gain, to increase the volume of everything below the threshold, it is then essentially, maximizing the rms of the signal.

It has been 12 years since this conversation ended.

[bduffy]

I don't know if it's correct or not, but my understanding is that if you set the limiter threshold at -3db and just leave it , without adjusting anything else, it's purely a limiter as it limits the peaks from exceeding past the threshold.
If you push up the gain, to increase the volume of everything below the threshold, it is then essentially, maximizing the rms of the signal.

It has been 12 years since this conversation ended.

I know! I was shocked to get this notification!

It's still an interesting question, though. I'd say a maximizer is simply a limiter that applies makeup gain as it's driven. <shrug>

[Kwurqx]

Well, simply put: a limiter is meant to prevent a signal from clipping. By reducing amplitude/volume above a threshold. You can imagine it as a compressor with very fast attack and release, little or no knee and a really steep ratio (10 times to infinity). So, it's about the TECHNICAL amplitude upper limit.

A maximizer is meant to maximize the PERCEIVED volume/loudness.

This is generalized. There are many implementations...

[bduffy]

Well, simply put: a limiter is meant to prevent a signal from clipping. By reducing amplitude/volume above a threshold. You can imagine it as a compressor with very fast attack and release, little or no knee and a really steep ratio (10 times to infinity). So, it's about the TECHNICAL amplitude upper limit.

A maximizer is meant to maximize the PERCEIVED volume/loudness.

This is generalized. There are many implementations...

Yep, sounds good, haha.

[2NDMOUSE]

It has been 12 years since this conversation ended.

I knew as soon as I posted it that this fact would not go unnoticed

It's still a relevant question though as these are evergreen subjects, and people will probably still ask in 20 years from now.

[excuse me please]

I have Limiter no.6, but don't ask me how it works. To me it seems more like a volume knob, which works better on good mixes than on bad mixes.