Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Welcome Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the time to read through this manual. In conjunction, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net. There you will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration.
The Waves L3-16 Multimaximizer is a 16-band auto-summing peak limiter, the fourth processor in Waves’ acclaimed L-Series of Ultramaximizers and Multimaximizers. Powered by an advanced version of the Waves PLMixer Peak Limiting Mixer engine, the L3-16 offers Gain and Priority controls arranged in a 6 band EQ-style interface with familiar parameters like frequency, Q, and filter-type.
L3-16 User Guide 1.3 Concepts and Terminology The Peak Limiting Mixer™ A traditional multiband limiter consists of a given number of limiters operating independently of each other, each set to a particular frequency range. The key to the L3-16’s power is its patent-pending Peak Limiting Mixer™...
The L3-16 offers a wide range of sound qualities which are controlled using the release settings across its 16 bands. Like its predecessor the L3, the L3-16’s band release times are determined by Waves ARC™ Auto Release Control, which dynamically chooses the optimal release value for a wide range of inputs. The ARC system, like the human ear, analyzes and reacts to RMS and peak transients differently, resulting in increased RMS level with greater clarity.
Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide We recommend reading this manual to get the most out of the L3-16. However, for a quick start to setting up the L3-16 on your audio, follow these steps: 1. Insert the L3-16 Multimaximizer into your project, preferably as the last processor on the master buss with no subsequent gain adjustment.
L3-16 User Guide Chapter 3 – Controls and Interface 3.1 Global Limiter Section This section consists of controls that globally affect all of the L3-16’s bands. Threshold/Input Meter - Range -30dB to 0dB - Default 0dB Threshold is probably the most important control of the L3-16, as it sets the global limiting threshold as the reference threshold for all 16 bands.
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The Out Ceiling fader sets maximum output level, scaling the output signal to reach the out ceiling value but not exceed it. The Out Ceiling fader is located on the Output Meter. Below the Output Meter are Waves standard peak indicators. Click the peak indicator field to reset.
L3-16 User Guide The interface consists of 6 Paragraphic bands with controls for Gain, Frequency, Q, and Priority. Gain and Priority can be adjusted independently, or together, using the Link control. These Paragraphic bands are superimposed over the 16 internal crossover bands. Each of the 6 Paragraphic bands can be controlled by direct numerical entry into value windows, or by using the graphic display band markers.
Click-horizontal drag changes frequency • Control-click (PC)/Command-click (Mac) and drag constrains movement to the X or Y axis – • vertical drag will lock frequency but allow gain change, and horizontal drag will lock gain but allow frequency change Alt-click (PC)/Option-click (Mac) and horizontal drag allows Q adjustment, and disables the •...
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L3-16 User Guide Gain/Priority Link button allows simultaneous control of Gain and Priority retaining a constant offset between them. Freq - Range 16Hz to 20kHz - Default 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 The Freq control sets the frequency for each of the 6 Paragraphic bands. - Range 0.50 to 2.0 - Default 1.0 Adjusts Q for each of the 6 Paragraphic bands.
L3-16 User Guide 3.3 IDR Section Quantize - Range 24, 22, 20, 18, 16 bit - Default 24 The Quantize control sets the target bit depth of the L3-16 output. Quantize is always active, so the output of the L3-16 will be quantized to a maximum of 24-bits even if you are in a floating point environment.
All Waves processors feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care of most administrative functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The features of the WaveSystem toolbar are the same on practically all Waves processors, so familiarity with its features will be helpful whichever processor you are using.
Loading Presets and Setups Click-and-hold on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four sections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load pop-up menu. Open Preset File… Select to open any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or your own creations.
4. A confirmation box will appear, allowing you to cancel or ‘OK’ the deletion. A/B Comparison and Copying The Setup A/Setup B button may be clicked to compare two settings. If you load a preset in the Setup B position, this will not affect the preset loaded into the Setup A position, and vice-versa. If you want to slightly modify the settings in Setup A, you can copy them to Setup B by clicking on the Copy to B button, then alter Setup A and compare with the original Setup B.
(such as in the Q10) click-and-drag between the faders will adjust both faders together (maintaining any offset between them if there is some) Band Markers Band markers appear on all Waves graphic displays, and have many functions: Click-vertical drag •...
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L3-16 User Guide Additionally, the Mac has an option-TAB function for ‘down’ movement and shift-option-TAB for ‘up’ movement where applicable. If you have several Value Window Buttons selected, TAB functions will take you through the selected controls only.
Appendix A – Controls List Control Threshold/Input Meter Out Ceiling/Output Meter Attenuation Meter Release Separation Release Character Priority Gain Freq Filter Type In/Out Quantize Dither Shaping Range -30dB to 0dB -30dB to 0dB -30dB to 0dB x0.1 to x10.0 Low, Medium, High Default Warm Analog Warm Classical...
L3-16 User Guide Appendix B - IDR In Depth Dithering and Noise Shaping Dithering and Noise Shaping are two independent, complementary techniques that improve the perceived quality of digital audio after it has been re-quantized. Each technique is responsible for the improvement of a different subjective quality of the noise caused by re-quantization.
Type2 Type 2 is a narrow-band dither which adds a minimal the amount of noise. It delivers a noise level about 5dB lower than Type 1, while adding some low level distortion. (The distortion level is lower than when no dithering is applied.) IDR...