(n.) In audio, a limiter is a compressor with a fixed ratio of 10:1 or greater. The signal is prevented from becoming any larger than the threshold setting. If the threshold is set at +16 dBu and the input signal increases by 10 dB to +26 dB, the output only increases by 1 dB to +17 dBu, a negligible amount. It is most useful in preventing unexpected overloads to recording equipment and to transmitters, where headroom might be exceeded unexpectedly. It is also known as a peak limiter.
limiter
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