Emulator Composite.book - Creative

Limiter
The Limiter sets a “maximum level” on the audio. Beyond this Threshold, any increase
in gain is effectively prevented or limited, hence the name. A limiter works like a
compressor with a very high ratio setting.
The limiter is particularly useful for taming the highly resonant peaks that can be
produced by the Z-plane filters. Set a fast attack time to suppress transients and use the
Release control to reduce “pumping” effects.
0dB
-10dB
-80dB
Threshold: -10dB
The Output Gain control amplifies the signal after it has been limited to bring it back up
in volume. If you don’t increase the gain, the signal may be lower in volume.
Two other controls are Attack and Release. Attack controls how quickly the gain is
turned down after the signal exceeds the threshold. Release controls how fast the gain
is returned to its normal setting after the signal has fallen below the threshold again.
Longer release times are generally used to reduce the so called “pumping” effect as the
compressor turns on and off. Don’t make the release time too long, however, or the
compressor won’t have time to recover for the next pluck or hit. In general, the attack
and release controls are used to smooth out the action of the limiter, but they can also
be used to create special effects.
Parameter Description
Threshold Threshold sets the “trigger” level for limiting. Signal levels above the
threshold will be brought down in volume. Range: -50dB to +20dB
Output Gain Amplifies the signal after it has been compressed to bring up the
volume. Range: -24dB to +12dB
Attack TIme Controls how quickly the gain is turned down after the signal exceeds
the threshold. Range: 1 ms to 200 ms.
Release Time Controls how fast the gain is returned to its normal setting after the
signal has fallen below the threshold. Range: 0.2 second to 1 second
Modulation Parameters
None
Signals above the
Threshold level are
prevented from
getting any louder.
9 - Effects
Effects Descriptions
E-MU Systems 237