Waves L3 Ultramaximizer

The L3 is an awesome limiter, and it's very complex both in operation and sound. The L3 Ultramaximizer basically takes the L1 and L2 approach to limiting but with the great sound of the L3. I'm sure there are those out there who are thinking this kinda takes away what made the L3 so great, and I somewhat agree, but this is a pretty amazing limiter in its own right. You have the simplicity of the L1 and L2 limiters, but it sounds as complex and transparent as the L3. To me, that's a HUGE plus. I no longer have to mess with tons of options to get that sound I'm looking for. To use this, simply enable it on your master buss and start going from there. For those of you who have never used a limiter, keep the output ceiling below 0.0, and you should be good to go.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

When it comes to things like stability and performance, Waves is awesome. They're basically unmatched in this aspect. First of all, they're cross platform compatible. That means both OS X and Windows users alike can use these without any problems. Another thing is that they're crazy stable. I never once experienced an issue with this plugin causing my DAW to slow down, crash or act quirky. There is one issue, however. For the OS X plugins (not sure about the Windows ones as I'm a Mac user), they're 32 bit. That means that Logic Pro has to open up a special bridge application every time I want to use a 32 bit plugin inside of my 64 bit DAW. I find it a tad annoying, and I'm hoping they'll fix that in a new update or something. I've been using the Mercury bundle for quite awhile now, and it's been absolutely heaven.

OVERALL OPINION

The L3 Ultramaximizer is great if you're looking for something that sounds like the L3 but without the complex multiband features that it has. If I'm just doing a quick mix and don't feel like messing around with all these different frequencies, I find that plugins like this are much easier for me to use. It leads to less frustration, and that's a huge thing when it comes to mixing. While there are more complex and versatile options out there, this is still a very solid option that you shouldn't look past.

The Waves Ltd. L3 Ultramaximizer is a simple version of the popular line of loudness maximizing software. You get the L3 Ultramaximizer when you buy the L3 Multimaximizer in any capacity, whether it's in a bundle or individually. The process of installing it should be easy enough either way, as I did so with the full Waves Complete bundle. This is a super simple version of the Ultra/Multimaximizer, so no one should be having too many issues with this one. It gives you just the basics, which more times than not is going to be enough anyway. It's got sliders for threshold and output ceiling, as well as built in dither, noise shaping, and quantizing, each with a few different modes to choose from. You can also set the release and the overall mode. A manual shouldn't be necessary, or least I haven't had a need to check one out.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I'm running the Waves Ltd. L3 Ultramaximizer currently on my home recording rig. This rig consists of Pro Tools LE 8 and a Mac Book Pro lap top. The computer has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM, and I'm running Pro Tools with a Digi 002R audio interface. I've only had a need to use the L3 Ultramaximizer on the master fader of a session to give it an extra boost, and this system has been more than adequate for doing so.

OVERALL OPINION

The Waves Ltd. L3 Ultramaximizer is the perfect plug-in for giving your mixes a boost in volume. This is pretty much the industry standard as far as plug-ins go for this application, and although it's a lot less in depth and specific than the L3 Multimaximizer, for simple jobs this is often easier to use and gets the job done quicker. The sound is great as it just does exactly what you ask it to do without any added color. The best part is that you get this along with the Multimaximizer, so you don't have to choose between the two. The L3 Multimaximizer/Ultramaximixer combo is a must have for anyone looking to give their mixes a boost in volume inside the box and quickly!

L3 is a plug-in's main objective is to maximize the level of a sound mix for its dissemination (including CD mastering). It comes in two "modules":
- Multimaximizer is complte version that allows to work on 5-band frequency drives
- Ultramiximizer which is a simplified version of the plug-in, with only two buttons.

It exists as a "native" (VST, DirectX, etc..) And TDM (ProTools).

Installation is no problem which is not the case for "permission". Indeed, even if BMD works fawn unlimited for 15 days after the license purchased, is an obstacle course to allow the plug-in!

Dj must know it is not enough to buy the license (as I have done online), it is also and necessarily a possder cl manager type iLok licenses. However, this key is not sold by Waves so you have to find it elsewhere, which adds about 50 bills dj dirty enough ($ 600 is just under 500 for the Native version) !

The installation of the cl is no problem but the approval process is complex, even by reading the documentation carefully. It must indeed CRER an online account, register his cl launch the software licensing, which will connect to the site in question, copy / paste the squence of challenge / response to the web and software. .. it's supposed to work!

In my case, I have to click somewhere wrong beginners because I never russi validate my cl APRS dozens of tests ... It is only thanks to the support that I'm out!

In short, I've never met an app too complicated to install!

Once it works, just read a page of the manual and follow its instructions to maximize a mix in 30 seconds. I did some tests (with Ultramiximizer) in Cubase SX and Adobe Audition, it works well partfaitement.

The manual is 25 pages or so, I did not read through but it looks pretty clear.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

As explained above, Ultramiximizer version, there are only two buttons: Threshold and Ceiling. Just down the first (threshold) such as the fawn is not ALTR and mount the second (dynamic) up to a limit close to 0dBfs (-0.2 in the quick start) and c 'is (one must also CHARACTERISTICS Defines the output in terms of resolutions, frquence of Sampling, but there's presets)!

Your exact is immediately impressive. This can be seen first at the waveform has an amplitude much larger but also the sr cost: the sound is immediately more Submitted without clipping!

Dernire type: CD burning and costs on a hi-fi: the also, the Difference is significant compared trs my old audio models that had a low volume despite the trs diff ent treatments (compression, amplification, etc.). that I apply ...

In short, is fast and super efficient!

Note: I have yet to test version since version Multimaximizer "simplifies" suits me perfectly for my first test ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for over a month and apart from the installation problem is nickel.

The price may be a little lev but if you want to stream models that look like something, it seems essential plugin!

In short, I do not regret my purchase.