Maximal 2 is a loudness maximiser, featuring an advanced lookahead peak limiter and analogue modelled saturation. The multi-stage limiter section features next-level lookahead, automatic makeup gain, and adaptive and responsive release. This plugin will smoothly limit any peaks in the audio, and automatically increase the overall level. The analogue modelled tape and tube saturation modes encompass all the best parts of the analogue world, without all the bad parts – such as high-frequency roll-off, hiss, wow and flutter.
Using our adaptive release technology, you can simply tell Maximal 2 whether you want the limiter to be fast and loud, or slow and transparent, and it will do what’s needed inside. You can use Maximal 2 to catch rampant peaks in an audio recording, or you can use it to make your track phat and loud – it’s up to you how you push it.
Maximal features 4 operating modes:
- Clean: The clean mode uses a multi-stage peak limiter, with advanced lookahead. The release is intelligently controlled, and can be fine tuned using the ‘Response’ knob. Automatic makeup gain brings the output level up to a maximum of the ‘Ceiling’ parameter.
- Loud: The loud mode takes the clean limiter, and adds a variable state soft-clip and peak compressor stage before the final limiting. This mode can shave off some of the louder, more unnoticeable peaks, giving a few extra precious dBs of headroom. This stage automatically makes up the gain before running it into the limiter stage.
- Tape: The tape mode extends the ‘Loud’ mode, adding an analogue modelled tape saturation stage before clipping and limiting. Tape saturation creates odd (3rd order) harmonics, and is suitable for most material. As the harmonics create overtones a 5th above the fundamental, it creates a warm and thick sound. You can use this on everything from single tracks, to whole mixes. In fact it’s perfect to use as the last stage in the master to get a warm and loud sound.
- Tube: The tube mode extends the ‘Loud’ mode, adding an analogue modelled tube saturation stage before clipping and limiting. Tube saturation creates even (2nd order) harmonics, emphasising the root frequency, and octaves above it. The saturation is asymmetrical, and is perfect for single tracks such as bass and drums, to add a bit of warmth to a track.
