What Is a Limiter?
Updated October 2026
A limiter is a compressor set to stop the peaks above a ceiling. It lets you raise the overall level while keeping the loudest moments under control.
The short version
- A limiter stops peaks from going above a set ceiling.
- It is used to protect against clipping and to control loudness.
- Pushed hard, it squashes the voice and makes it sound tired.
- A true-peak limiter at -1 dBTP is a common safe setting for exports.
The short definition
A limiter is a processor that keeps the level of a sound below a ceiling. Anything that would go above it is turned down, so the peaks cannot clip. It acts very quickly and usually has a very high ratio.
Why people use one
A limiter lets you raise the average level of a recording, because the loud peaks are held back. This is how a file reaches a loudness target without clipping. A true-peak limiter also watches the levels between the samples, which matters for conversion. The true peak explanation covers why.
When it hurts
A limiter pushed too far squashes the voice. The consonants lose their snap and the speech sounds flat and tired. If you need a lot of limiting to reach a target, the recording needs more level control before the limiter, or a quieter target.
A safe setting
Set the ceiling to -1 dBTP for an export that will be converted. Use only enough gain reduction to catch the peaks. Listen to the speech, not the meter.
Reach the target without clipping
Tunedzy sets a loudness target and checks the true peak, so a file reaches its level without clipping.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Does a limiter remove clipping?
It prevents new clipping. It cannot restore peaks that were already clipped.
What ceiling should I use?
For a file that will be converted, -1 dBTP is a common choice.
Is limiting the same as loudness?
Limiting lets you raise loudness. The level you reach depends on how far you push it.
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