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!

'm sorry CJ old friend, but that is a silly and imprecise definition IMO!

No im not SvenArne. Google it if you do not believe me and READ any kind of book on the subject.
 
Dude, stop misleading people with your false facts. 
 
This is true and its FAC - The difference between a compressor and a limiter is only in the compression ratio used. Anything above 10:1 is limiting and anything lower is compressing. This is FACT and its well documented in over a 1,000 books 
 
CJ
 

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.

Thank you Mettelus. I thought i was in an alternate universe where facts where no longer facts. 
 
CJ

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
 
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.
 

Yes, that was my reaction as well.
 

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.

This. When limiting you work towards containing or "limiting" the output of a given track regardless of the ratio or speed constants used in the process (though a high ratio and fast attack would certainly be more effective in most cases). 
 
The term "compression" on the other hand applies to the use of dynamic range reduction towards lot's of different goals like soundshaping, enhancement, distortion and sustain along with making the soft parts louder.
 
Another example: If you use a 1176 or Distressor with the "all-buttons-in" or "Nuke" modes respectively to completely squash a snare drum, would you say what you did was put a limiter on there? To use the term limiter in this instance does not sound right to me. 
 

CJ
 Google it if you do not believe me and READ any kind of book on the subject.

 
I have read dozens of books and articles on this subject, and I don't recall any of them give such an arbitrary ratio value where compression suddenly becomes limiting.
 
Can you please post a link that contains this definition?
 
Sven

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! 

I think 10:1 is often given as the standard cutoff of when a compressor is regarded as a limiter is due more to the fact that manufacturers often use it as such. This does not seem to be based on any concrete definition but more like a loose tradition that is selectively followed. CJ is treating tradition as definition and is right to a degree. If you gave any audio engineer a compressor that had a fixed ratio of 10:1 he would likely regard it as a limiter. Where I think his argument falls short is using statements like "..google it.." and other dismissive statements that give no facts but reiterate his position. What happens when somene Google's it and gets answers that differ? Do we dismiss the results that differ from our opinion. Although I personally don't have a problem with the line being drawn at 10:1, I think defining such things is probably more about purpose than arbitrary lines in the sand.

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

Karyn
Ok, enough already.

Now stop arguing semantics

Hey, we're just using teh internets for their intended purpose here ;-)