Peak Limiter
Drag & drop your files
or
Accepted: MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, OGG, AAC, OPUS, AIFF, AMR, APE
How to use Peak Limiter
- 1
Upload your audio file
Anything that might clip on export.
- 2
Set the ceiling
-1 dB is safe for all streaming platforms.
- 3
Download the limited file
No distortion, no clipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a limiter do?
- It caps the loudest peaks of a signal so the output never exceeds a chosen ceiling. Essential as the last step before export.
- Difference from the compressor?
- A compressor gently reduces loud parts. A limiter is a hard ceiling — nothing above it survives. Limiter goes after the compressor.
- What ceiling should I use?
- -1 dB is the streaming industry standard. -0.3 dB for maximum loudness on CD, -3 dB for safety on video.
- Will it reduce overall loudness?
- Yes, if your file was clipping. That is the point — loudness trading for clean peaks.
What a Peak Limiter Does
A limiter is the final safety net before your audio leaves the studio. It watches for any signal that exceeds a set ceiling and clamps it instantly, preventing digital distortion (clipping) that sounds harsh and destroys playback systems.
Where the Limiter Fits in the Chain
Standard mastering chain: EQ → Compressor → Limiter → Loudness Normalize. The limiter is always second-to-last, immediately before final delivery.
Recommended Ceiling Values
- -1 dB — streaming standard (Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music)
- -0.3 dB — CD mastering for maximum loudness
- -3 dB — video and broadcast for extra safety margin
- -6 dB — archive and edit-ready deliveries
Attack and Release Explained
Attack is how fast the limiter clamps a peak. Too slow and the peak leaks through; too fast and the limiter itself introduces distortion. 3–5 ms is the sweet spot for most material.
Release is how fast the limiter lets go. Too short (under 20 ms) creates audible pumping. Too long (over 200 ms) softens transients. 40–80 ms is standard.
When to Limit
Always. Even if your file doesn't seem to clip, sample-peak analysis misses inter-sample peaks that cause distortion on some devices. A -1 dB ceiling costs you almost no loudness and prevents the worst kind of distortion.
Privacy
Limiting runs locally in your browser via FFmpeg. Nothing is uploaded. Unreleased mixes, client masters, and demos stay entirely on your device.