This was covered in my Advanced Workshop video (ahem), but forget about using the Sonitus compressor as a bus limiter. The best limiter that comes free with Sonar is the Sonitus Multiband compressor. A multiband compressor is much better on program material than a standard compressor, as there are less artifacts (e.g., you don't have issues like the kick compressing the highs). 

To use it, on the Multiband Compressor UI, click the Common tab and click Limit. Raise the output above 0.0 until you get the desired amount of limiting (within reason, of course). Multiband will clamp the output so it stays below 0.0dB.

However, if you plan to turn your track over to a mastering engineer, add NO processing to the master bus. When people do that to me, I act like the picky person in the restaurant who sends the steak back, and ask for a version with the bus plug-ins disabled.

Thanks, do recall the bit in the video now that you mention it. I did not think that it would matter which Sonitus plug was used if there was no compression going on and the only intent for the limiter was to clamp down on unexpected noise (ex. like accidentally dialing up a Pentagon patch using the Valley simulator) during tracking.

Hey Mr Anderton,I just went back and watched "maximising loudness",which makes "it"seem very easy,with the "Sonitus Multiband",which is cool,but I was wondering how Waves L3 LL seems to go waay higher than 6db before "noticable" distortion/artifacts?[of course everyones opinion,on whats acceptable/noticable,is going to be different].

My  L3 LL Multimaximiser "lives" on the "Master Buss",along with Meldas "analyzer"[after of course]as I have only the means to Master on my own,or at least attempt it my own.
Bob

scook


Thanks, do recall the bit in the video now that you mention it. I did not think that it would matter which Sonitus plug was used if there was no compression going on and the only intent for the limiter was to clamp down on unexpected noise (ex. like accidentally dialing up a Pentagon patch using the Valley simulator) during tracking.

If it clamps in only one band, only that band is affected. Even for the scenario you're describing, multiband will be better than single-band.

bobguitkillerleft


Hey Mr Anderton,I just went back and watched "maximising loudness",which makes "it"seem very easy,with the "Sonitus Multiband",which is cool,but I was wondering how Waves L3 LL seems to go waay higher than 6db before "noticable" distortion/artifacts?[of course everyones opinion,on whats acceptable/noticable,is going to be different].

My  L3 LL Multimaximiser "lives" on the "Master Buss",along with Meldas "analyzer"[after of course]as I have only the means to Master on my own,or at least attempt it my own.
Bob

The Waves L3 LL is a much newer design, by the people who basically wrote the recipe on maximization, and is optimized specifically for that task (it also may have more lookahead, but I'm not sure). Also note that the 6dB figure I gave is for material that's already close to peaking up to the maximum headroom. With lower average signal levels, you'll be able to bring the Sonitus up more than 6dB.


But I promise that if I become king, all limiters designed to go on master buses will not be able to add more than 6dB of maximization . There will be much rejoicing throughout the land, once people figure out they can just turn their volume control higher if they want it louder.

I'll vote for you Craig - where do I sign?

Bristol_Jonesey


I'll vote for you Craig - where do I sign?

Me too.  "Craig for King" has a nice ring to it..

King Craig I of Anderton

King Craig of Sonar?
 
King Craig of DAW?

Do yourself a favour and invest in the Concrete Limiter.