Adobe AUDITION 3 User Manual page 123

Hard Limiting process effect (Edit View only)
The Amplitude And Compression > Hard Limiting effect process drastically attenuates audio that rises above a
defined threshold, leaving audio below the threshold unaffected. This effect is particularly useful for increasing
perceived volume because you can amplify audio beyond the digital maximum, 0 dbFS, and you can lower areas that
would otherwise be clipped. For example, when you convert from 32-bit to 16-bit audio, particularly loud 32-bit
passages can cause 16-bit clipping. To prevent clipping, you can either use the Normalize effect to reduce the
amplitude of the entire file (lowering perceived volume), or you can use the Hard Limiting effect to reduce amplitude
only for loud passages (increasing perceived volume).
See also
"About process effects" on page 104
"Apply individual effects in Edit View" on page 107
Hard Limiting process options
Sets the maximum sample amplitude allowed.
Limit Max Amplitude To
To avoid clipping when working with 16-bit audio, set this value to no more than -0.1 dB; if you set it to -0.5 dB,
you'll have a little more clearance for any future edits.
Preamplifies audio before you limit it, making a selection louder without clipping it. As you increase
Boost Input By
this level, compression increases. Try extreme settings to achieve the loud, high-impact audio heard in radio and TV
commercials.
Sets the amount of time (measured in milliseconds) generally needed to attenuate the audio before
Lookahead Time
the loudest peak is hit.
Note: Make sure that the value is at least 5 milliseconds. If this value is too small, audible distortion effects may occur.
Sets the time (measured in milliseconds) needed for the attenuation to rebound back 12 dB (or
Release Time
roughly the time needed for audio to resume normal volume if an extremely loud peak is encountered). In general,
a setting of around 100 (the default) works well and preserves very low bass frequencies.
Note: If this value is too large, audio may remain very quiet and not resume normal levels for a while.
Links the loudness of both channels together, preserving the stereo image.
Link Left And Right
Updates the Clipping Statistics values, which indicate what percentage of the audio would clip
Gather Statistics Now
if limiting weren't performed. Click this option after you change any of the input parameters.
Multiband Compressor effect
The Amplitude And Compression > Multiband Compressor effect lets you independently compress four different
frequency bands. Because each band typically contains unique dynamic content, multiband compression is a partic-
ularly powerful tool for audio mastering.
Controls in the Multiband Compressor let you precisely define crossover frequencies and apply band-specific
compression settings. Click Solo buttons to preview bands in isolation, or Bypass buttons to pass bands through
without processing. After you fine-tune individual bands, select Link Band Controls to adjust them globally, and
then optimize overall volume with the Output Gain slider and Limiter settings.
To change compression settings over time, use automation lanes in Multitrack View. (See "Automating track settings"
on page 204.)
ADOBE AUDITION 3.0 118
User Guide