Clipper o Limiter: Cosa CAMBIA? (e quando usarli)

Summary

The video script discusses the differences between a clipper and a limiter, two audio processing tools used in music production. It explains that a limiter is a compressor with an infinite ratio, reducing any sound above the threshold, while a clipper acts as a distorter, cutting off peaks to create saturation. The clipper preserves the transient impact of sounds, making it suitable for quick transients without losing impact, whereas the limiter is more versatile for materials with more sustain. The script suggests using a clipper to cut fast transients without losing impact and then a limiter to smooth out the remaining sound, creating a clean yet impactful sound.

Takeaways

• 📊 A limiter is essentially an infinite ratio compressor that reduces any sound exceeding the threshold.
• ✂️ A clipper acts as a distorter, cutting off peaks instead of compressing them, resulting in saturation.
• 📈 The visual difference between a limiter and clipper is that a limiter lowers the volume of the waveform, while a clipper creates a square wave by clipping peaks.
• 💥 The impact of a limiter is to reduce the overall volume without affecting the transients, while a clipper preserves the transients but reduces the nominal volume.
• 🔊 The clipper generates a large number of harmonics when clipping, which can cause distortion if used excessively.
• 🎚️ To achieve a clean sound with impact, use a clipper to cut the loudest and fastest peaks, and then use a limiter to smooth out the remaining sound.
• 🎧 When using a clipper, it's important to avoid distortion by not clipping too much, especially on sounds with more sustain like bass.
• 🔧 The combination of clipper and limiter is a popular technique in mastering and mixing, where the clipper is used to control fast transients and the limiter for additional loudness.
• 📌 In mastering, a clipper can be used in hard clip mode to achieve a cleaner sound without losing the perception of volume.
• 🎵 When mixing, a limiter can be used to control sounds with more sustain, while a clipper is ideal for adding impact to fast transients without losing their character.
• 📝 For professional sound production, understanding the differences between a clipper and limiter is crucial for achieving the desired sound dynamics.

Q & A

What is the main difference between a limiter and a clipper?

A limiter is a compressor with an infinite ratio that reduces any sound exceeding the threshold, while a clipper is a distorter that simply cuts off the peaks, creating saturation.

How does a limiter affect the waveform?

A limiter reduces the volume of the waveform by compressing it until it reaches the set threshold, without changing the shape of the waveform significantly.

How does a clipper change the waveform?

A clipper changes the waveform by cutting off the peaks, which results in a square-like shape and introduces distortion.

What is the impact of using a clipper on the perceived sound?

Using a clipper preserves the transient and maintains the perceived impact of the sound, but it also generates a significant amount of harmonics, which can lead to distortion.

When should you use a clipper in your audio processing?

You should use a clipper when you want to cut off fast transients without losing impact, giving more punch and character to the sound.

What is the recommended approach when using both a clipper and a limiter?

First, use a clipper to remove fast peaks, and then use a limiter to smooth out the remaining sound if additional loudness control is needed.

How does a limiter help in controlling sound without losing transients?

A limiter reduces the overall volume by compressing the waveform without significantly altering the transients, thus maintaining the sound's impact and presence.

What are the potential issues with using a clipper constantly?

Constant use of a clipper can lead to noticeable distortion due to the generation of an almost infinite amount of harmonics when clipping the waveform.

How can you achieve a clean sound with impact using a clipper and a limiter?

Clip the larger and faster peaks with a clipper to reduce the overall volume without losing the transient's impact, and then use a limiter to further control the loudness if necessary.

In what situations would you use a limiter over a clipper?

You would use a limiter when you need to control a sound with more sustain or when you want to remove a transient without introducing distortion, such as in the case of a snare or a sound that is too prominent.

What is the role of a limiter in mastering and mixing?

A limiter is used in mastering and mixing to control the overall volume, remove unwanted transients, and ensure the sound does not exceed the desired loudness without losing its character and impact.