Limited Z VST PLUGIN
LiMITED Z
Limited-Z is a free look-ahead brickwall limiter built for producers and engineers who want clean loudness without wrestling with complex mastering chains.
Based on the same core technology as LVC-Audio’s flagship Limited-MAX, it delivers transparent peak control, true peak safety, and modern visual feedback in a streamlined, approachable package.
It’s designed to get results quickly while still holding up under serious mix bus and mastering duties.
System Requirements:
- 32-bit
- 64-bit
- VST 2 & 3/ AU
- Windows
- MacOs
Limiting Engine & Sound
Under the hood, Limited-Z dynamically combines multiple limiting algorithms, adapting its behaviour to the incoming material.
This allows it to achieve high levels of limiting with minimal audible distortion, even on dense or transient-heavy mixes. A key part of its sound comes from a custom variable clipping stage derived from LVC-Audio’s ClipShifter, helping control peaks smoothly before they become problematic.
Although the interface is simplified, Limited-Z still operates as a true mastering limiter, with internal attack, release, knee, look-ahead, stereo linking, dynamic EQ, DC filtering, and program-dependent timing.
These parameters are intelligently wrapped into several limiter modes, keeping workflow fast without sacrificing quality.
Visualisation & Workflow
Version 2 introduced a redesigned, resizable interface with advanced metering and analysis tools rarely seen in free limiters.
You get true peak and inter-sample peak (ISP) monitoring, a real-time spectrum analyser, and a waveform history view that can display up to two minutes of audio. Colours across the interface are fully customisable and recallable, allowing you to tailor the visual feedback to your workflow.
Additional quality-of-life features include AutoGain for fair A/B comparisons, undo/redo history, and clear output metering, making Limited-Z easy to trust when making final loudness decisions.
Key Features:
A modern limiter that balances speed with mastering-grade quality.
- Look-ahead brickwall limiter for mix bus and mastering.
- Transparent limiting with low distortion at high gain reduction.
- Variable clipping algorithm based on ClipShifter.
- True peak output monitoring and ISP filtering.
- Multiple limiter modes derived from mastering algorithms.
- Resizable GUI with fully customisable colours.
- AutoGain, A/B comparison, undo/redo.
FAQ
Splitting gain reduction across stages reduces audible distortion and pumping, allowing higher loudness with cleaner results.
Limited-Z uses the same core processing but with a simplified interface and fixed algorithm tuning, reducing complexity while retaining sound quality.
Yes. ISP filtering and true peak monitoring are included in the free version, making it safe for streaming delivery.
Within reason, yes. The dynamic algorithm and clipping stage allow higher loudness with fewer artefacts than many basic limiters.
