what does a limiter do?

[BrandonBass]

i couldnt find any info on it...

 

[BOOCAKE4U]

a limiter holds the peak volumes down to a preset (by you) level...ie: no matter how hard you play, the loudest sound will never get louder than the limit you set

 

[BrandonBass]

icic, thanks. Will i be able to boost my volume with a limiter though?

 

[BOOCAKE4U]

very welcome...

i think it depends on the pedal, but generally yes, you can boost the level overall...my cheapo ($15) behringer (don't say that name aloud) BLE100 has the following knobs:

level = pretty obvious
enhance = add horrible midrangey tone that makes babies cry
ratio = how loud the loud stuff is compared to the quiet stuff (quieter, same level, little louder, etc...infinitely adjustable)
threshold = determines when the limiter circuit triggers (at what volume)

very useful for playing fingerstyle while also being able to sneak in a POP without it sounding out of place by being too loud...hope that helps/makes sense

 

[Nyarlathotep]

The behringer is just a copy of the Boss. It's basically a hard-knee comp with a ratio of 1:1 to infinity:1 instead of stopping at 10:1 or below (typically).

 

[Mastema]

a limiter holds the peak volumes down to a preset (by you) level...ie: no matter how hard you play, the loudest sound will never get louder than the limit you set

Being an effects rookie, I thought that was what a compressor did. So, uh... what does a compressor do?

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Being an effects rookie, I thought that was what a compressor did. So, uh... what does a compressor do?

A limiter is a really extream compressor. A compressor lowers your volume peaks based on a threshold and ratio. A true limiter has no ratio, but instead never allows your volume to exceed the threshold. The Boss LMB-3/Behringer BLE100 is both a compressor or a limiter depending on how you set the ratio knob. Max=limiter, anything else=hard knee compressor.