Video summary

How Skrillex Uses Limiters and Clippers for Maximum Loudness

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Summary of technological concepts & workflow (limiters vs clippers)

Core idea

Loud, punchy mastering often comes from using clippers in parallel with (or feeding into) limiters, rather than relying on limiters alone.

Limiter definition

A limiter is a compressor with an infinite ratio (often described as “brick wall” limiting).

  • Threshold: the dB level where gain reduction begins.
  • Ceiling: the maximum output level (commonly set near 0 dB).
  • Some limiters (e.g., Pro-L2) may use different control names (e.g., gain instead of threshold; output instead of ceiling) but serve equivalent roles.

Clipper definition

A clipper cuts off peaks that exceed the ceiling instead of smoothly reducing gain.

  • It discards audio above the ceiling, creating intentional distortion.
  • Typically includes:
    • Soft clipping: rounds off peaks more gently → milder distortion and more preserved character.
    • Hard clipping: sharply truncates peaks → stronger distortion.

Common mistake and guidance

  • Mistake: Pushing the track into a limiter too aggressively to reach loudness can lead to a squashed/overcompressed sound.
  • Mix stage principle: Loudness is achieved in the mix, not only in mastering. If you need heavy limiting, the mix likely needs work—especially transient and level management.

Tutorial-style recommendations (practical setup)

Clip your bus/group signals (not just the master)

Instead of using a single clipper only on the master chain, the guidance suggests clipping across group buses during mixing.

  • Goal: control transients per instrument/group throughout the mixing chain to help reach a louder final master.
  • Note: This is suggested as especially effective for EDM, and may not suit all genres.

Transients must be managed before clipping/mastering tools

The clipper is positioned as “finishing touches,” not a silver bullet.

Why limiter + clipper together (3 stated benefits)

  1. Limiter works more effectively across the whole track

    • Clipping reduces peaks first, so the limiter can operate more consistently (less only reacting to extreme transients).
    • Helps preserve dynamics versus an overworked limiter.
    • Can also provide a smoother/quieter driving level for subsequent mastering plugins.

  2. More stable limiter release behavior

    • The release time of a limiter affects the perceived “groove,” especially with drums/transients.
    • Too-short release → pumping/rushed feel.
    • Too-long release → sluggish/lagging feel.
    • The video recommends A/B listening: shorten release if it feels sluggish; lengthen if it feels rushed—aiming for the track to “fall into the pocket.”

  3. Higher achievable loudness

    • The clipper “shaves” peaks while the limiter maintains/raises average loudness more efficiently.
    • The combined approach is recommended as early as possible: clipper across project buses and also early in the mastering chain.

Main speakers / sources mentioned

  • Skrillex (referenced in the video title and context as the example of approach)
  • “Arnold Schwarzenegger” (used as a humorous framing; creator references a separate compression tutorial featuring “him”)
  • Pro-L2 (explicitly referenced as an example limiter/model, likely the demo product)

Original video