I remember in the early 90's when a friend loaned me his dbx 160x limiter/compressor. It was a revelation! I was like "Wow! Now I can really SING!"
So, a question I must've asked 100 times without an understandable answer (kinda like the difference between horsepower and torque): What's the difference? Here's my take, just from experience: Limiting is when you're actually recording tracks, and is used to keep the peaks down so that your overall level is as loud as possible (both in analog and digital --- Gotta fill up those bits, I've heard!)... Compression is used when you mix, so that the dynamic range is a bit "squashed," bringing up the softer things while still limiting the louder things. The result is an overall louder version of your uncompressed program material... Is that correct?
But since you are running your track(s) through the same circuitry, isn't it basically the same thing? Why don't they call the piece of gear a, I don't know, a Grobblemeister? Yeah, that's the ticket! (r) J. Ernst --- There, I've now registered "Grobblemeister" when I build my new limiter/compressor LOL!
The only time I regret over-limiting a track was on a stereo acoustic guitar opening to a song. I can "hear" my mistake to this day.
Any stories or comments? I'd love to hear them!
Cheers,
Ern
