Compressor/limiter Plugins and sidechaining.

[bigchrisscoota]

Okay! So guys! Basically i have a few questions. To start with, recently i have been looking for a good compressor plugin, not for the master bus, but basically for everything else (I produce electronic music, so for synths, electronic drums, samples, sub, etc.). I looked thoroughly through the waves catalogue. For a start can someone tell me if i'm correct in saying that all limiters are compressors, and why would you choose a limiter over a normal compressor? I only really want to get one plugin, if i can, if i have to buy more than one its fine. I think i'm going to go for the L1 waves limiter, unless someone recommens a normal compressor over a limiter. And if a normal compressor is recommended then what compressor plugins do people recommend? As far as sidechaining goes, i think i'm just gonna use ableton's own compressor for that. Anyway, sorry for babbling, and i hope someone can help me. Any information will be great! Cheers!

[Magik_10]

You cant sidechain with a limiter which L1 is.

Live's comp is easy to set'up/flexible for sidechaining and works well, you could also use autopan, volume envelopes, or even try lfo tool by Steve duda.

http://xferrecords.com/products/lfo-tool

A good limiter/comp combo to have is FabFilter Pro-L & Pro-C

http://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-c.php

[bigchrisscoota]

Fantastic! That FabFilter Pro-L and Pro-C looks amazing! A couple of questions, what makes it a limiter? I mean, i've been told that all limiters are compressors? But what makes this a limiter and compressor? Seriously, thanks again for this information dude!

[Magik_10]

A limiter is a compressor with a higher ratio of 10:1 and above.

Have a read here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression

[bigchrisscoota]

Nice! Thanks for all the info man!

[bigchrisscoota]

Say, could someone give me some examples of where you would choose to use a compressor (over a Limiter) or where you would use a Limiter (over a comppressor)?