You're Using Your Limiter WRONG

In this video, I tell you about a super awesome way to use your limiter to maximize "pocket" and get that coveted major label sound and major label polish.
In order to understand why this works, we need to look the history of the mastering signal chain, its developments, and how its placements and techniques have characterized the songs we all grew up with.
I give you one of my go-to mastering signal chains - I really hope you try it, I think you're going to LOVE it!
IG: / borzamastering
FB: / borzamastering
Web: www.borzamaster...

[@ThePhiCode]

you're that guy on KZbin who doesn't clickbait or waste time, straight to the point and very useful information, I really appreciate it

[@WillBorza]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!

[@CarlyonProduction]

EVEYTHING you know about limiters is wrong. lol. Not hating but that’s def clickbait

[@Ikhthus777]

What useful did you learn from this video? I don't get it

[@EricDavisMusic]

the value to time ratio of this video is extraordinarily high. great work.

[@WillBorza]

Thank you so much!

[@SanRegret]

@@WillBorza Its about an 1 to 0.25 Ratio so would call this an Knowledge Enhancer. It's really transparent aswell!

[@MrFree-vj8qj]

Bs 4 fkin min of intro you must be trolling

[@iamgeorgesears]

This. No bullshit, no time wasting, straight to the point. Man that's refreshing.

[@newsyNL]

​@@SanRegret❤❤😊

[@thaDjMauz]

My tip as producer for producers is to try to be a producer and not an engineer. Make inventive, expressive and original music that should rightfully be supported by a label that will organize good mastering for you, then you only need to manage your gainstaging. I see too many producers lose themselves in the mastering rabbithole, and while it is valuable knowledge, make sure to maintain your enthusiasm for expressing yourself in your composition.

[@alexdjprod]

💯👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@stebeusmusic]

And if you still can't get a label, you just got to the minimum in the engineering parts, like just using the mix to enhance some sounds with volume adjustments, maybe some EQ to cut some stuff and compressor to remove some volume differences and stereo (panning, maybe reverb). Mastering should just be limiting to avoid some super loud part that could have. Just 1 day for mixing and in the day 1 hour in maximum for mastering

[@stevenleonmusic]

I think I inadvertently stumbled upon this when I was messing around with the "Maximizer" in Cubase. With just the limiter it was sounding louder but that's it. With a combo of the maximizer with soft clipping enabled and the limiter with less input gain I was getting the same overall loudness but a much tighter sound, especially on the vocals.

[@cobraofearth]

love the historical context, that type of thing really helps me grasp the concept.

[@WillBorza]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@palegobit]

+1 on Cody Braden, the historical perspective was super helpful. Really great job! Thanks.

[@WillBorza]

Thank you so much!

[@astralmooncat_jyro_Tenshi]

It makes so much sense. The chain order is so important, just like in sound design. I think mixing and mastering is as part of the overall design, and when mixing or producing a track, these steps should be taken in consideration.

[@ajlsoundwave]

The best part about audio is that there are so many different ways to get to the final end result. I think your explanation of "how you are getting there" was explained very well and extremely useful for anyone trying to master regarding of experience, knowledge and gear. Great stuff, and now subscribed. Cheers.

[@clocks8137]

ngl i saw this video an was like oh here we go again but youre right, you are the first person to vocalize to my knowledge how important the release time is. I set my release based on the genre, bpm etc. mostly listening to the song and adjusting the release until it fits and sounds right. like you said, finding the pocket. its not some hard and set rule, its different every time

[@incrediblechange]

skip to 4:40 and speed up to 1.5 and learn about release on a limiter

[@Kwayjaye]

nomenclature is a very exclusive term i thought i only used!! wow im subbing now!! language within language

[@ShayneCutler]

Just used your master chain and "BOOM!!!"...Thats what I was looking for...Really helpful video...Thankyou.

[@deejayprody]

Great info ❤ thank s

[@CATLITmusic]

I think just throwing your mix into Ozone and following along the usual path _does_ work, and it makes a decent master. But I find there's a lot more care in chipping away at it effect by effect. Soft clip, saturate, filters, regular EQ, dynamic EQ/Compression, and THEN a limiter, it all works together making little 1-2dB adjustments, and you end up with a master that's -10 or -12 LUFS without sounding dynamically compromised.

[@WillBorza]

You’ve got it!

[@CATLITmusic]

@@WillBorza oh and also i do all my mastering in audacity with free vsts

[@SPEEDYANUJ]

You are right bro ..

[@Thatwouldbematt]

This has been one of the best explanations for how important and easy it is to dial in a master chain. Simple and bountiful in information.

[@WillBorza]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BryceDoesLife]

could you explain how each of those plug ins in your chain emulate each zone/what they do?

[@Yishinyourear]

I actually stumbled, quite recently, on that very last part about clipping before the limiter, my mouth hit the floor, you just confirmed it! 🙏

[@WillBorza]

Awesome!

[@Downstream33]

I’m the student, you are the master. 🙏🏼

[@GCPTheServant]

I hear what your saying and this was good info, but we have to take into consideration that not all limiters adjustable release control, and some do have it but it’s attack and release together like in ozone.

[@WillBorza]

If you pull up maximizer in plugin doctor, you don’t see the attack move or change at all. It’s more like “sustain” or “hold” and release

[@GCPTheServant]

@@WillBorza oh okay that makes sense. I always wondered exactly what izotope designed the attack/release to be. Been hearing a lot about plug-in doctor too, might need to cop that. Thanks for the info!

[@WillBorza]

Plugin Doctor is a godsend, and it’s only $39. It’s the best $39 you’ll spend this decade.

[@RivenantOfficial]

You’re a scholar and a gentleman. Thank you for taking time to do these videos. They have helped immensely.

[@WillBorza]

Glad you like them!

[@BryceDoesLife]

wait this is incredible

[@ShaneDobbie]

i use TDR limiter 6 GE most of the time. I think it's the default preset to have comp -> clipper -> limiter and i always got results i'm happy with.

[@kaveiros75]

A fan of TDR Limiter here also. Although I often do experiment with the order of the chain.

[@daleonov]

That's an interesting concept! I've never used clipper before limiting, although seen people use it. Now it makes sense!

[@WillBorza]

Try it, you’ll love it!

[@darrellroseborough7275]

I’m so glad that I stumbled upon this video. No frills spills or tricks just precise and to the point clear cut explanations. None of this you’re doing it all wrong bullshit. Everybody’s way is their way or the highway type vlog. You Will are a god sent. Thanks and keep up the great work for the recording community. I did check this method out and gotten some great results although I have been doing my own thing without any tutorials and also gotten good results. I think it’s called trial and error imo. The way you explained it I get more consistency I have to admit. Hey people subscribe this guy gets it.❤

[@WillBorza]

Thank you so much!

[@Weaverbeats]

Good video sir

[@WillBorza]

Thank you for watching!

[@StenIsaksson]

Finally someone who says vlog instead of v log V log, It's like saying b log instead of blog

[@jodextunez4908]

Hello Just seeing this video and I must confess you're a great teacher. Straight to the point and explicit. How about you make a video showing how you use that mastering chain?

[@Solanaar]

So... can someone explain? I understood it like this: (1) take a saturator that can set a clipping threshold (2) set the clipping threshold to where you get your desired lufs (3) send that to the limiter at +1db, set the limiter to -1db (4) play with the release to your liking

[@Solanaar]

for example I have a track at -14 lufs, i put it through gsat+ (peaking at around 9.5), then set the clip ceiling to -6 i run that into ozone maximizer with +1db input gain, with a -1db ceiling and -6db threshold. is this what he meant? edit: im completely selfthought when it comes to mixing and mastering.

[@mbynt]

Thank you for the info! Btw, the link to your instagram profile is not working

[@Rhuggins]

You are amazing, just discovered your channel. Love your way of speaking about these things and subtle sense of humor

[@WillBorza]

Thank you so much!

[@lukeblackwell7126]

Such a great video with genuine knowledge. Really love learning the historical origins as it helps me understand it better!

[@jabbo312]

After struggling to understand compression, finally an explanation I can understand and use. Thanks so much for making this.

[@ProjectHMF]

Thank you for the advice 🙏🙏 Would appreciate if u could answer a quick question, you can do clipping with a limiter if u turn the relase time to 0 right?

[@WillBorza]

Usually no, release time at zero is “padded” on most limiters so that the actual speed is “very very fast, but not instant”. You can check your plugins in Plugin Doctor to see if you can get it to actually clip or just “very nearly” clip.

[@ProjectHMF]

@@WillBorza oh okay thank you I will

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

Oh totally! People underestimate the power of a good clipper! Have you used the oven or the looptrotter stuff?

[@WillBorza]

I’m loving what I hear with the Oven but it’s still tbd whether it’ll make it into my daily chain or not. Waiting to see if I actually love it once it’s no longer the new hot thing.

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

@@WillBorza yeah I feel ya! I am not sure i'll use it in my mix bus chain but it does add something, but i need to try it on more mixes to know if that something is something i need and actually benefits the mixes.

[@xanlosgames6270]

Thanks for the clear cut explainations, we need more content creators that gets straight to the point (while having fun, of course)

[@WillBorza]

Thanks! More to come!

[@xanlosgames6270]

@@WillBorza You just earned yourself a new sub, keep up the grind boss!

[@Streaky_com]

Cool vid…loved the trip down memory lane….those tape to tape days were long!!!

[@WillBorza]

Thanks for watching Streaky! I love your channel!

[@Rhekluse]

Good stuff. Clever, informative & witty. 🎉

[@WillBorza]

Thank you so much!

[@DavidTaylor-g3j]

RESPECK! Even when you think you know, the best thing to know, is that you know you can always know more - PUCKA stuff! Thanks.✅✅✅

[@Wishlake]

AMEK EQ IS SO GOOD

[@sachetsofrelish]

You're watching this video all wrong. Start at 5:22.

[@MooseWillard]

I spent so long wondering why my songs weren’t loud enough, but I realized one day it was because I always set my attack too high

[@JiihaaS]

I often put a subtle clipper / limiter before the compressor too to make its job easier on transients.

[@WillBorza]

This is the way!

[@jayfblank]

@JS I was just thinking that, lol, gmta.. I have a few instrument tracks this could be perfect for.

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

Excellent info once again. I'm doing my work in the box, Mac Mini M2 with Studio One 6.5 Artist. My 2 bus has 3 inserts, a Pulsar Audio W495 EQ, LVC Clipped-MAX and Limited-MAX. The limiter is only doing 1.5 - 2 dB gain reduction. The 2 bus also has a post section where I have a few Master meters. I picked up on the pointer to use a clipper harder than the limiter, but still using both. I like what I'm getting through this setup.

[@WillBorza]

Glad it's working for you! Thanks for watching!

[@ahmtTyln]

Great explanation, without diving deep with the tech stuff.. I got a quick question; say we set the attack time (Fab ProL2) to a much slower value, what happens to the transients? Does this cause clipping to the output and affect the ISP detection??

[@BLASTLYNX]

Very valuable info and it verifies something i heard the other day. The person was basically saying that they did their limiting in stages by putting limiters on all their mix busses before the master chain, that way their master chain didnt have all that range of transients constantly altering the "release" pocket. They didnt word it quite how you did here in this video but it makes a lot of sense. I would love to see a more in depth example of this technique at play.

[@bartjelories]

Clip to zero method maybe is what you wonna check.

[@artemyeden]

it's really helpful advice. i'm not a mastering engineer, but i do mastering just because my clients ask me to do it for them. years before i used to slam my stuff so it feels cluttered and unstable (it's so cringy for me to hear it on Spotify nowadays, damn). and i didn't even hear that, because my ears were so washed out after days of working on a song. until i start clipping in a different ways - soft clipping, digital clipping, wave shaping, sinoid folding etc... now my levels are consistent before limiting process and i have enough volume almost every time, especially when i produced and mixed everything wisely. now my limiting is not a "lufs tool" as it was before, it's more like a glue and and additional peak control to make sure that everything doesn't sound over -0.3dBFS. and my average limiting now is around -0-2dB with some extra peaks might be -3dB. but not more, except is an EDM track when the sound should be pumped extra. in this case i just use two limiters - one for pump and one for control at the end of a chain. i hope that more people got this mindset to make they tracks more solid after limiting

[@navigatormoore]

Finally, a mastering engineer with math that is actually math'n👍 I came for the "In the beginning there was tape, and it was good!" Lol, yes indeed it was!

[@starcata4801]

BRO! THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE! THANK YOU!

[@uirehuigedkahds]

Great information, thanks.

[@TWEAKER01]

Traditionally (historically) it was actually: 1/2" or 1/4" tape > NR decode > console with 1 or 2 EQ's, *no compression, no limiting* > 1/4" (most often) or 1/2" tape. Key to all that (and still) is you make decisions listening from the end of the chain (off-tape), not to a section in isolation.

[@poindextertunes]

I just recently doubled up on clippers and limiters in my mastering chain. Its like having 4 people to move a heavy object, rather than just two. The clipper/limiters don’t have to work as hard and the signal stays clean longer before its clipped digitally out of the DAW

[@Ikhthus777]

You're saying that I need 4 limiters to master a track?

[@SpyderBlackOfficial]

Mike Dean does This as well. I started doing the same

[@roman2374]

Wrong title! I’m not using my limiter wrong - I’m just not using my limiter (because I don’t know how to use it right, so thanks for this video)

[@insert_moniker]

Adding this to my useful information playlist where many more of your videos will probably wind up as well. Thanks!

[@88bsides]

Thank you for the history, It helped me finally understand how to use a clipper correctly. I think you are right that this isn't talked about enough. Fire vid! Subbed.

[@WillBorza]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@Juline1221]

I always come back to this video as a reminder for myself! Thank you!

[@Reggi_Sample]

Ozone Maximizer 🎉

[@nicholasbrecken7357]

why isn't every video like this, thank you

[@bensiala6555]

“In the beginning there was tape. It was good” 😂😂

[@onejohnonenine]

Thank you for this info. I was researching stacking limiters and this is the information I needed.

[@WillBorza]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GalacticTravelers]

Extremely well put together video! I always use a clipper on individual tracks/groups this way the limiter doesn't have to work as hard to tame those rogue transients.

[@WillBorza]

Thanks for watching!

[@warpacademy]

Good content. I hope your channel does well. Video editing tip. When you do a hard cut on your video, make sure you crossfade your audio. Every time you do a hard cut, your audio clicks because you've sliced it at a non-zero crossing and haven't attended to the audio. Every NLVE has an audio crossfade option you can access for this. Cheers and thanks for the signal chain info!

[@WillBorza]

Thanks! I’m trying to improve with every video. One of these days hopefully I can just hire a video editor 😂

[@ElbasBasslee]

Great info - but lots of studio noise in the recording, and mids causing distortion on my surround speakers

[@jacksmith4460]

Interesting I have kind of done this with mine anyways (in terms of layout of chain) I master my own stuff in the Box and use Tape emulation into compression into EQ into clipper in to limiter (sometimes into 2 limiters both doing minimal 1-2 Db). I need to learn more about release times and how it affects the pocket in a practical sense but this is good to know the basic Idea of the chain I use is correct. Subbed

[@Nick_Rowlett]

PLEASE make a video about oxford inflator and/or mastering really loud bass music. Both would be HUGE to learn about with this stuff!

[@cholkymilkmirage4984]

solid, my chain for loudness and mastering at the end is always a inflator, into a kazrog clipper hard clipping, and them limiter.

[@Getemprod.]

isnt inflator a clipper ? so you are using 2 clipper ?

[@bachelorgamer8001]

Thanks, When using the dangerous Ad how does that work . Do you gain into it so it clips then you use a limiter ?

[@doctorslaps1991]

“What is a limiter” 😂 you could make a hilarious and informative documentary on that concept alone

[@MixedByDotRob]

Very cool video! I always have a clipper before the limiter ... but I never used the Oxford Inflator as a clipper! Just tried it and it's great! Thaaanks!

[@WillBorza]

Thank you so much for watching! Inflator is a great clipper but it aliases like a mofo, just be aware and either use that sound deliberately or pick a cleaner clipper if it’s doing “too much”

[@sleepless2621]

@@WillBorza i personally really love kclip3 and blacksalt audio clipper

[@twitcheyspleen]

@@WillBorza PiMax plugin is similar to Inflator, but much cheaper, has oversampling (to help with aliasing issues) and other bells and whistles

[@MichaelTNewell]

Big amateur here. Don't have the plugins you listed but I got some that roughly serve the same purpose. Already noticing a very nice difference. Mainly from a clipper at the start of the chain. Haven't delved into release time yet.

[@TheBinaryWolf]

Am I correct in understanding that dynamic range is lost in both limiting and compression but differently? Generally speaking a limiter affects mainly the loudest spikes, while a compressor affects the loudest and softest audio signals equally. No? Pop music lends itself to little dynamic range but orchestra music must preserve, say, parts at pppp and ffff; so I am inclined avoid compression in classical music but use a limiter...sparingly. Can you throw some light on this matter?

[@eyeyeye-fm9oo]

So is this Kinda the same as if I'm using one compressor lower down and one higher up to even the peaks out? Or would u still wanna do this with a limiter to get those really loud transients if there are any? SRRY I'm rly new to all this stuff 😅

[@theamazingkelly1]

The make it louder fader lol.

[@fremistudios]

Badass video buddy! Cheers from Venezuela! 🤓👏🏻

[@WillBorza]

Hey, thanks!

[@kayciecarryl3366]

Very good video. Thanks

[@yanmontoyamusic]

Wow i never thought about to use the inflator as a clipper. Thank you

[@blackstacie_ibe]

Damn, this went well over my head. I'll be digging into your other videos.

[@Shy-L7]

The release is the most important function on the limiter. This is because it can totally destroy the groove, enhance it, or preserve it, depending on how you use it.

[@Stone809]

what about the attack ?

[@TheColourAwesomer]

Legend, thank you

[@Detroitdogg]

Great video. Do you recommend a limiter on the master buss during mixdown or just in mastering?

[@WillBorza]

Maybe compression on the mix buss and leave the limiter to the mastering engineer

[@McDoinky]

Best intro I've ever seen

[@REMRODFILMS]

Which clipper to you recommend bro

[@WillBorza]

Pro-L2: transparent/no lookahead/slowest attack/fastest release/stereo unlinked

[@REMRODFILMS]

@@WillBorza you the damn man!! 💯‼️

[@REMRODFILMS]

@@WillBorza bro do you still add a limiter after it? Or do u use it for clipper and limiter?

[@WillBorza]

If I need more loudness, I will add a limiter after the clipper.

[@REMRODFILMS]

@@WillBorza thank u!🙏🏾

[@jwrxgd]

Just watched this video after mastering my latest EP, and I love the way it sounds but now I want to run an experiment of the clipped conversion (or re-creating that in the box) going into the limiter, and see what the difference in sound is compared to the mastered version I have now. Regardless, all this information is extremely helpful and very concise, thank you for this!

[@WillBorza]

Cheers! Thanks for watching!

[@bigjuice6206]

Bro what saw do you use?

[@nathanweinstein2766]

The most transparent gain reduction on full spectrum material is hard clipping. So, this is correct advice, except I use two limiters… the first: 0 look ahead and max attack (preventing the limiting algorithm from engaging), minimum release (to only affect the transients)… Then use the second limiter as normal.

[@nathanweinstein2766]

If the material isn’t full spectrum, you’ll get some unpleasant farts if more than a couple of low frequency cycles are clipped 😬

[@klontjespap]

@@nathanweinstein2766 love myself a good series of farts

[@tonypullbeatz9417]

Think like a mastering engineer is the blueprint. Thank You!!!

[@MichaelsPaintingChannel]

So I need a so called clipper in front of the limiter, right? Does Studio One has something like this?

[@matlefflerschulman]

This was great. I love the history part and the outtakes at the end!

[@WillBorza]

Thank you so much!

[@anyanwuuzoma6420]

You Sir are a gem!! Thank you

[@JohnRusindo]

"in the beginning there was tape and it was good" 🙏

[@Bert_Fromarketin]

SoftTube tape ( Swiss Army knife of tape plugs imo) , FF Pro Q3, Weiss Maximizer (which does a bit of limiting and clippng and sounds open and very present dope plugin) or FF Pro L2 because it's open and transparent ( another dope plugin!). Im learning a lot and applying as i go...what i have learned is a little (a touch or two) goes a long way with these plugin's. Nice vid my guy....well done!

[@CraigAdams-s9i]

Technically, the Inflator isn’t a clipper.

[@limpet9]

I know his is about mastering but how about clipping on individual tracks before compression to give the compressor an "easier" time. Is that valid?

[@tetzuro7926]

🎵🎶🎶🎶Ty for the insights!

[@lightburning9693]

Ok guy, So i am intermediate at best but intelegent enough to know what you just shared was super important. Could you do a video where you go through this proccess on a couple channels and then how you finish up on the main? Maybe letting us hear what you mean my the pocket and if possible using stock pluggins like for abelton or whichever you perfer. I think it would be an awesome video and garner multple playthoughs. I could see myself searching it up everytime i finish a track until I got it memoriezed. I saw the chain but because i do not know the plugins value of the chain went right over my head.

[@henryb787]

Now THAT is some good advice.

[@stefandrechsel]

Really great explanation, and remembering the steps to take in mastering is key, thank you. Looking forward to more content from you 👍

[@WillBorza]

You got it!

[@nelio123]

Another awesome video that helped me so much

[@DouglasWidick]

is there a pt2 with examples of this technique in action? Watched your perfect compression video and enjoyed it as well.

[@WillBorza]

I’ll make one!

[@chasecampan-thornburg1721]

Glad you hit record. This was helpful. I still need to understand more about limiters. Gonna comb your channel for more. Liked. Subscribed.

[@sneaky_za3655]

love you bro thanks so much

[@WillBorza]

cheers!

[@snakeeyes3883]

the most important part of a limiter is of course the reverb.