bitflipper
just stay away from Boost11

Hey Bit, just curious if you could expand on the above comment. I've not used boost11 much, but have put it on a track here or there just to nip the top peaks, maybe limiting by 1.5db overall or something. I typically don't use it to boost anything, just clip some top peaks.

I have a lot of choices in my bag. For the last year I have preferred Melda productions Multiband limiter.

Still, I probably use concrete limiter as often as anything. I totally agree with bit.

I use Nugen ISL2...it's the best limiter I've used...and I've used a lot...

But it's PRICEY...$229...you can get the new one, the ISL2st, which
is only Stereo, for $99...

The Bit man makes great points here.  If you're not trying to eke out the last tiny bit of loudness, the choice of limiter isn't that critical.  But when extra loudness is an objective, the limiter can change the sound for better or worse.
 
I find that by using two or even three stages of gentle bus compression before the final limiter, I can usually get the sound I want, loud enough but preserving dynamics, without working the limiter very much.  It just catches any remaining peaks before they turn into overs.  If I do want to get aggressive, my limiter of choice is the AOM Invisible Limiter.  It preserves the punch and imparts a sense of weight that other limiters I've tried can't match (and I've tried a bunch).  It's great for rock or EDM -- I'd say it's worth trying on your own material to see if it's a good fit. 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

batsbrew
i use WAVES L2.
 
it works really well.
 

Also L2 on master 1-3 db max (L1 on tracks)
Lim #6 is great for tracks with problematic transients, you can squash them real hard.

While Bit (as usual) is mostly correct about those dern limiters and their uses I still maintain that quite a lot of them as with almost any other plug have their own unique "sound" when applied.  If you listen close enough.  And that subtle difference can really impact your track.  I use different limiters depending on style of music and, as alluded above, whether I just need to catch a few peaks or squash the livin bejezus out of it.
 
That said...I've recently taken a shine to the ease of use and great sound of the Rob Chiarelli line.  Cheap and yummy.

gbowling

bitflipper
just stay away from Boost11

Hey Bit, just curious if you could expand on the above comment. I've not used boost11 much, but have put it on a track here or there just to nip the top peaks, maybe limiting by 1.5db overall or something. I typically don't use it to boost anything, just clip some top peaks.

You are using Boost11 exactly how it's best applied: gently. Catching just the highest peaks and applying no more than 1-2 dB reduction, Boost11 does just fine. It doesn't do as well when pushed hard.
 
The problem I have with Boost11 is that its coarse graphical display encourages over-compression. By the time you lower the threshold to where the display shows that something is clearly happening, you've already gone too far.

Great info as always bit. Thanks for that. I find boost11 the easiest to do just what you're saying. When I do use it, here's what I do:
 
- Play all the way through and set the channel level where I get maybe 1.5 to 2 db in the red for the peak that shows next to the meters.
 
- Insert boost11, turn the "boost" side down to 0 and pretty much leave the output side to the default which I think is like -0.1 or something. 
 
That allows me to get the channel or bus to max volume without really any compression and keeping the peaks from distorting.
 
If I want compression, I always use har-bal after I export it for pushing the level on a song that needs that sort of thing.

Great info as always bit. Thanks for that. I find boost11 the easiest to do just what you're saying. When I do use it, here's what I do:
 
- Play all the way through and set the channel level where I get maybe 1.5 to 2 db in the red for the peak that shows next to the meters.
 
- Insert boost11, turn the "boost" side down to 0 and pretty much leave the output side to the default which I think is like -0.1 or something. 
 
That allows me to get the channel or bus to max volume without really any compression and keeping the peaks from distorting.
 
If I want compression, I always use har-bal after I export it for pushing the level on a song that needs that sort of thing.

I nowadays use Slate FG-X as my limiter. I prefer the sound of it over others at the moment. Though if I had the cash I'd probably grab the L3 series maximizers from Waves...