# Gain Reduction of compression and limiting

**URL:** <https://community.mwtm.com/t/gain-reduction-of-compression-and-limiting/3472>\
**Category:** Mastering\
**Created:** [January 12, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.mwtm.com/t/gain-reduction-of-compression-and-limiting/3472 "2024-01-12T22:46:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sidney\_Morton-Wight](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/community.mwtm.com/sidney_morton-wight/32/3582_2.png) [@Sidney\_Morton-Wight](https://community.mwtm.com/u/Sidney_Morton-Wight)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.mwtm.com/t/gain-reduction-of-compression-and-limiting/3472/1 "2024-01-12T22:46:49Z")

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Hi Randy, I have a question about how many dbs of compression and how many dbs on you limiter you use

Thanks heaps for any help, Sid

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**Author:** ![Randy\_Merrill](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/community.mwtm.com/randy_merrill/32/693_2.png) [@Randy\_Merrill](https://community.mwtm.com/u/Randy_Merrill)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://community.mwtm.com/t/gain-reduction-of-compression-and-limiting/3472/2 "2024-01-13T00:21:36Z")

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Hi Sid,

Since the volumes of every mix I receive are different, the amount of compression and limiting I use varies greatly. I do have to say that I lean more on limiting than on compression, so I recommend having a variety of limiters in or arsenal if you’re mastering, so that you can pick the best one for the song.

Best Regards,  
Randy

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**Author:** ![Sebastian\_Muxfeldt](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/community.mwtm.com/sebastian_muxfeldt/32/79_2.png) [@Sebastian\_Muxfeldt](https://community.mwtm.com/u/Sebastian_Muxfeldt)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:36am UTC](https://community.mwtm.com/t/gain-reduction-of-compression-and-limiting/3472/3 "2024-01-17T08:36:41Z")

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Hi Randy,

if you don’t mind, what’s your list of desert island limiters at the moment and where do you see strengths and weaknesses of them?  
Thanks in advance!  
Take care

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**Author:** ![Randy\_Merrill](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/community.mwtm.com/randy_merrill/32/693_2.png) [@Randy\_Merrill](https://community.mwtm.com/u/Randy_Merrill)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://community.mwtm.com/t/gain-reduction-of-compression-and-limiting/3472/4 "2024-01-17T14:43:41Z")

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Hi Sebastian,

In my opinion, one of the best investments you can make is in having a variety of limiters on hand to choose from as they not only shape the dynamics but also the EQ and stereo field. My regular go-to limiters include the AOM invisible limiter (first version), Fab Filter Pro L2 or L (in transparent or all-around mode), and Izotope Ozone Maximizer (mode depends on the song). These three are used about 70% of the time. A couple others that are great to have include Elevate (because it compresses the low end in a unique way that doesn’t yield as much distortion in instances when other limiters are causing distortion in the low end) and Limitless (when I need even more limiting in the low end).

Best Regards,

Randy