maybe has been already discussed.........
what is the difference?
what is the correct way of using them? Is it ok to use them together?.... what goes first, what after?
softclipping and limiter
Re: softclipping and limiter
softclipping is an attempt to make signals that are too hot sound pleasant. it simulates the way that an analog device clips. it works well for minor overages.
a limiter is a compressor with a very high ratio. it keeps a signal from getting above a certain level. if the threshold is to low relative to the level of the signal, it can make a square wave, which isn't a good thing. used properly it keeps momentary peaks from being a problem. it is used to raise the overall loudness of a signal without allowing clipping.
i would thing the softclip would be first. they are kind of complimentary. the softclip keeps the extreme overages from sounding bad and the limiter sets the maximum allowable level. i kinda think of a limiter as sandpaper. it smooths out a piece of music.
i really don't use softclip. also, i try to record at reasonable levels(idigital is not analog tape which compresses and "softclips" and sounds nice if you go over 0). if you need softclip, you might be sloppy...if i want a very hot sound, i use a little overdrive after the track is recorded. that with some compression does everything that i'm expecting from tape that was recorded hot, but without digital artifacts. softclip kind is of a a tuned distortion designed to sound like it's not really distorted(kind of), so it's another way around an idea. whatever you like is good in this case, probably.
a limiter is a compressor with a very high ratio. it keeps a signal from getting above a certain level. if the threshold is to low relative to the level of the signal, it can make a square wave, which isn't a good thing. used properly it keeps momentary peaks from being a problem. it is used to raise the overall loudness of a signal without allowing clipping.
i would thing the softclip would be first. they are kind of complimentary. the softclip keeps the extreme overages from sounding bad and the limiter sets the maximum allowable level. i kinda think of a limiter as sandpaper. it smooths out a piece of music.
i really don't use softclip. also, i try to record at reasonable levels(idigital is not analog tape which compresses and "softclips" and sounds nice if you go over 0). if you need softclip, you might be sloppy...if i want a very hot sound, i use a little overdrive after the track is recorded. that with some compression does everything that i'm expecting from tape that was recorded hot, but without digital artifacts. softclip kind is of a a tuned distortion designed to sound like it's not really distorted(kind of), so it's another way around an idea. whatever you like is good in this case, probably.
Re: softclipping and limiter
In scopes devices it exists without any parameters to set and therefore becomes a mystery. On the other side, the limiters have parameters to play around and set.
Re: softclipping and limiter
softclip is an option built into some devices to keep overloads from sounding nasty. again, it's best to watch your gain, but softclip used that way can be very effective.