MAXIMIZER

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Controls

• Input Gain−12 to +12 dB — Gain driving the signal into the limiter.
• Ceiling−3 to −0.1 dB — Maximum peak level out of the limiter.
• Release10 to 200 ms — How fast the gain recovers after a peak.
• Lookahead0 to 5 ms — How far ahead peaks are detected.
• Output Gain−12 to 0 dB — Trim after limiting (cut only, −12 to 0 dB), so the output never exceeds Ceiling; use Input Gain to make it louder.
• Stereo LinkOFF / ON — ON uses one gain for both channels to keep the image stable; OFF limits each channel independently.
• DitherOFF / 16-BIT / 24-BIT — Last in the chain: OFF, or TPDF dither and rounding to 16-bit (CD) or 24-bit; use it only when the output goes straight to a file of that bit depth.
• Noise ShapingOFF / ON — ON feeds the rounding error back (first order), moving the dither noise up the spectrum where the ear is less sensitive. Works only with Dither on.
• CharacterCLEAN / PUNCHY / WARM — Shapes the signal before the limiter: CLEAN leaves it alone, PUNCHY soft-clips only the peaks above Ceiling so the limiter pumps less on transients, WARM saturates gently for a denser, rounder sound.
• MultibandOFF / ON — ON splits the signal into three bands that are limited on their own (a quarter linked), so a loud bass no longer pushes down the mids and highs; the look-ahead limiter then holds the sum at Ceiling.
• Low Crossover50 to 500 Hz — Split point between the low and mid bands in Multiband mode.
• High Crossover1000 to 12000 Hz — Split point between the mid and high bands in Multiband mode.

Best uses

• Final loudness stage in mastering
• Raising stems and bounces to a target level
• Peak control on buses
• Dithered 16-bit masters for CD

Properties

Input Gain → held peak detector + look-ahead delay → gain reduction to Ceiling → clamp at Ceiling → Output Gain trim (≤ 0 dB) → optional TPDF dither and rounding to 16 or 24 bits, with optional first-order noise shaping → Output. Latency equals Lookahead (0–5 ms), reported to REAPER for delay compensation.

Formats

• JSFXJSFX for REAPER, with REAPER's own sliders
• GFXJSFX GFX for REAPER, with its own interface
• VST3VST3 for any DAW
• CLAPCLAP for any DAW

Factory presets

Transparent Master · Loud Master · Punchy Dance Master · Acoustic Gentle · Bus Peak Control · Stem Level Up · CD Master 16 Bit · Bounce 24 Bit · Punchy Loud Master · Warm Master · Multiband Master · Bass Heavy Multiband · Punchy Multiband Club

In the FX chains and Rack presets

Loud Master · Mastering Chain

See every FX chain

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