ATKStereoLimiter
Key Features
- Stereo-linked brickwall limiting that detects peak power across both channels and applies matched gain reduction to preserve the stereo image
- Dry/wet mix control for parallel limiting, letting you add loudness while retaining transient punch and dynamic feel
- Adjustable Softness parameter that transitions between hard brickwall clamping and a softer, more gradual limiting knee
- Zero-latency processing with no internal oversampling, keeping CPU usage negligible even on dense sessions
- Cross-platform support for macOS and Windows in VST, VST3, and Audio Units formats with both 32-bit and 64-bit builds
- Built on the open-source Audio Toolkit framework, a BSD-licensed C++ library for audio DSP developed by Matthieu Brucher
Description
ATKStereoLimiter is a stereo brickwall limiter built on the open-source Audio Toolkit framework by Matthieu Brucher. It processes both left and right channels simultaneously, detecting the peak power across the stereo image and applying matched gain reduction to keep them in lockstep.
The plugin links two independent limiter channels together under a single gain curve, which preserves the stereo balance that separate mono limiters would distort. A dedicated dry/wet control lets you blend the limited signal with the original for parallel compression-style loudness boosts without completely squashing transients.
Because ATKStereoLimiter operates without internal oversampling, it is extremely light on CPU resources and introduces zero latency in your signal chain. The trade-off is that intersample peaks can overshoot the ceiling on occasion, making it better suited to bus and stem control than transparent final-stage mastering.
The Softness parameter adjusts the limiter's knee characteristics, letting you move between hard brickwall clamping and a gentler, more gradual gain reduction curve. At lower Softness values the plugin catches transients aggressively, while higher settings allow brief peaks through for a more natural dynamic feel.
ATKStereoLimiter is available in VST, VST3, and Audio Units formats for both macOS and Windows, covering 32-bit and 64-bit hosts. The entire download is under 2 MB, making installation virtually instant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does ATKStereoLimiter introduce latency?
No. Because the plugin does not use lookahead or internal oversampling, it processes audio with zero latency. This makes it well-suited for live monitoring and real-time tracking scenarios where delay compensation is a concern.
Can the output overshoot 0 dBFS?
Yes, intersample peaks can exceed the set ceiling since ATKStereoLimiter has no oversampling stage. For final mastering where true-peak compliance is required, place a true-peak limiter or clipping stage after it in the chain.
What does the Softness control do?
Softness adjusts the limiter's knee shape. Lower values produce a hard, aggressive brickwall clamp that catches every transient. Higher values create a gentler, more gradual transition into limiting, allowing brief peaks through for a more natural dynamic character.
How does the stereo linking work compared to using two mono limiters?
ATKStereoLimiter reads the peak power across both the left and right channels and applies the same gain reduction to both simultaneously. This prevents one channel from being limited more than the other, preserving stereo balance and image stability that dual mono limiting would compromise.
