bandso
 
Kjaerhus Audio: Classic Master Limiter
http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?plugin=Classic_Master_Limiter&id=1875
 
You have to click the little Win32 vst link to get it. I have no idea if any extra hidden "freeware" is included when you install it, but the name seems to ring a bell as a quality free plugin (someone here may have the answer to that question)
 
 

I used this for a number of years and it's great. 32 bit, though. It's funny Kjaerhus plugins just disappeared a couple of years ago. Cool you found the link!

CJ is correct. Without look ahead, a limiter can be overshot in some transient situations (since the attack time is identical to a compressor). A "brickwall" limiter either requires look ahead or a Max output setting. "Limiter" seems to be synonomous with "brickwall limiter" for some, but the definition is indeed a compressor with a steep slope.

The difference between a compressor and a limiter is only in the compression ratio used.

 
This is essentially true. (Though a dedicated limiter will probably have a short attack time, for instance.)
 

Anything above 10:1 is limiting and anything lower is compressing.

 
This is opinion. I've never seen anywhere outside of this thread claim that there's some sort of standard cut-off point for the ratio beyond which compression ceases to be compression and becomes limiting.
 
http://www.about-audio-mastering-software.com/limiting-and-compression.html - "anything above 8:1 - is considered limiting."
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1996_articles/apr96/compression.html - "This latter condition [infinity:1] is known as limiting"
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/limiter.shtml - "typically 20:1 all the way to infinity:1"
http://www.audiobaymastering.com/compression-and-limiting-in-basic-terms/ - "compressing audio with a threshold of 10:1 or greater"
http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/differences-between-compressor-limiter-leveler/ - "20:1 to infiniti:1"
 
The important thing is that limiting is extreme compression done with the intent of keeping audio below a certain level. A 'limiter' is a compressor that is especially suited to this task.

Kylotan
 
http://www.audiobaymastering.com/compression-and-limiting-in-basic-terms/ - " Typically compressing audio with a threshold of 10:1 or greater"
 

Sorry, I read the link and had to add to the quote! 

Ok, enough already.

Once a compression ratio goes above about 10:1 (a 10db rise input only gives a 1db rise in output) most people will start to loose the ability to hear the difference in output. It can be said to be limiting and could be referred to as a limiter but the reality is it is still just compressing. The output will continue to rise if the input continues to rise. This is true for 20:1 or 50:1 or even 10000:1. It is basic math.

A limiter will prevent the output from rising regardless of how high the input goes above the threshold level. A slow acting limiter will let peaks through while keeping the average level constant. A fast acting limiter will also limit the peaks. THIS is a brick wall limiter. It let's nothing go higher than the threshold level.

Now stop arguing semantics and go make music

This is opinion. I've never seen anywhere outside of this thread claim that there's some sort of standard cut-off point for the ratio beyond which compression ceases to be compression and becomes limiting.

 
WOW!! i guess you never looked then, as there are many examples: You should have googled and did a little research before saying such statements.
This is From WIKI
Limiting:
Limiting and clipping compared. Note that clipping introduces a large amount of distortion whereas limiting only introduces a small amount while keeping the signal within the threshold.
Compression and limiting are not different in process but in degree and perceived effect. A limiter is a compressor with a high ratio and, generally, a fast attack time. Most engineers consider compression with ratio of 10:1 or more as limiting
 
Here a link -http://thedawstudio.com/Tips/Limiter.html and it says "A limiter is basically a compressor on steroids. Once the compression ratio goes above 10:1 on a compressor you have limiting
 
http://www.mediacollege.c...io/processing/limiter/
 
http://ethanwiner.com/compressors.html
Ethen winer says its greater than 5:1 in this link. HUM?????
 
http://www.rolandus.com/support/knowledge_base/view/22627646 and it says
"A compressor and a limiter are basically the same thing, except that a compressor uses a ratio of less than 10:1 and a limiter uses 10:1 or higher. With its higher ratio, a limiter’s threshold is like a brick wall that the signal will not be able to exceed."
 
This is from Sound On Sound - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun99/articles/mixcomp.htm
"To start off with, let's consider the simplest kind of compression - the limiter. A limiter is just a compressor with a very high ratio (10:1 or more) 
 
I can google and insert hundreds of links saying 10;1 and greater is limiting. I laos can quote many books written form 1964 to present that say the same.
 
 
 
CJ

I honestly cannot find an actual consensus scientific definition of Limiter that names specific ratios.  Most are worded in ways  like "most consider" which only lends to my earlier statement that the 10:1 definition embraced by many is more tradition than etched in stone fact.  I'm fine with that cutoff because for the most part it works.  At the same time I think it's downright silly to fight so vehemently over something that does not appear to have an official standard. Links have been posting that support multiple definitions.  To embrace one and ignore the others basically shows  one is more concerned with being right at all costs.

carl
And if not already mentioned here's a free one that you can really slam.
http://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/

+1 for Carl.

Karyn
...A limiter will prevent the output from rising regardless of how high the input goes above the threshold level. A slow acting limiter will let peaks through while keeping the average level constant. A fast acting limiter will also limit the peaks. THIS is a brick wall limiter. It let's nothing go higher than the threshold level...

Now THIS is a brick wall limiter. Letting the peaks try to go above 0dBFS! No attack times to worry about, no finite gain reduction or signal propagation delays to deal with. (Not recommended though...)
 
Actually with very high compression ratios, you're sort of doing the same thing. Instead of limiting the signal compliance level to the inherent "all ones", the new compliance number is a function of the "threshold". (Assuming fast attack, hard knee, and high compression). The result of course is distortion.
 
Walt