Xilentech has launched XMLimiter V2, a free clear peak limiter plugin for macOS and Home windows.
XMLimiter V2 is a clear and easy mastering device developed by an business skilled who beforehand labored as an audio engineer for Netflix, Blizzard, and Ubisoft. It seems that he’s now transitioning into plugin growth, and I’m excited to see what’s subsequent, as this early launch is kind of promising.
That is the primary plugin from Xilentech that I’ve had the prospect to check, and I used to be positively shocked by the sound. It instantly jogged my memory of LoudMax (certainly one of my favourite freeware limiters), each by way of its clear sound and the minimalist interface.
Should you’re into limiters that simply get the job accomplished with out crowding your display or coloring your sound an excessive amount of, this one’s price a glance. It delivers immediate outcomes and is tremendous straightforward to make use of.
Nevertheless, XMLimiter continues to be tough across the edges, and a number of other features needs to be up to date for it to be similar to a few of the well-liked limiters in the marketplace.
The interface options simply two controls: Push and Ceiling. Between the 2 knobs is a darkish vertical stripe that resembles a quantity or achieve discount meter, however I didn’t get any readouts in my DAW (operating the AU model in Studio One on macOS).
The Push knob will increase the enter achieve, pushing your sign towards the limiting threshold, whereas the Ceiling management allows you to set the output ceiling.
What’s attention-grabbing is how properly the plugin handles transparency. At average settings, the limiter successfully preserves transients and stereo width with out noticeable artifacts. However in the event you crank the Push knob arduous sufficient, it does begin to saturate and clip, however in a great way.
I discovered that even at excessive settings, XMLimiter V2 maintained a musical character. This offers it the potential for use as a inventive device and never solely a scientific limiter for mastering.
For instance, I favored the way it dealt with the drum bus at excessive settings, because it brings out further character and grit. I blended a few of this restricted sign with the unique (and I want there was a mixture knob to make parallel processing simpler) to deliver again the transients and the ultimate consequence sounded nice.
Model 2 of the plugin introduces an up to date GUI with an new background picture and knobs. I didn’t get to check the unique model, so I can’t say whether or not the sound engine has modified, however the brand new interface actually appears to be like a bit extra polished, though nothing to write down residence about.
One other good contact is the straightforward obtain course of. The plugin is hosted on Google Drive. There’s no want to enroll or apply activation codes, only a direct obtain.
I’d like to see a Combine knob and a working achieve discount meter in a future replace. Because it stands, XMLimiter V2 is a promising plugin, however it received’t change my present go-to limiters.
XMLimiter V2 is on the market in VST3 and AU plugin codecs and runs on each Home windows and macOS.
Obtain: XMLimiter V2
Extra:
Final Up to date on Could 29, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
