Mixing Through a Limiter

[Matt Smith]

Hey Andy--
I know you've said you find it helpful to mix through a limiter, even if you don't print it. I don't have the finalizer, just software limiters like the L2. My question is, how much gain reduction do you usually go for for this purpose? Do you smash it more than you actually will when mastering to intentionally overcompensate for any lost dynamics? Or is it fairly subtle?

Thanks,

 

[006]

I wanna know this too so I can learn this way of mixing in case it works for me also.

~006

 

[Exsanguis]

I know this isn't exactly what you were asking, but I thought it might help a little. I always put my finished mixes through my nicest compressor, with only about 1-2dB of compression. I've found that this really ties everything together well, and doesn't affect the mastering stage.

 

[Razorjack]

I personally use the L1+ (I find it better than the L2) and set it to the "16bit final master" pre-set. I find this gives the track a good level and keeps the tracks dynamics well. I sometimes use a multi-band compressor aswell (Akai QuadComp plugin).