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rumble from your venue.
When the target speakers are unknown, or they consist of a range of speak-
ers, switching the HPF off and retaining the original low frequencies allows
for a more flexible compromise that can suit a wider range of speakers.
This is useful when you master a CD or have a PA system with several types
of speakers. When using MaxxBass™ on a PA system it is immediately no-
ticeable that the system produces more bass while load is reduced. The
mechanism which MaxxBass™ uses can produce the effect of clean low
frequencies which would ordinarily excite rooms. This is a huge advantage
for installed systems. For example, in a live sound situation you might en-
counter a venue with a low frequency rumble that causes low frequency
oscillation and/or feedback. MaxxBass™ allows you to “bypass” these prob-
lematic low frequencies by replacing them with a combination of higher
frequencies that are above the rumble, while retaining the impact and
feeling of the bass for the audience.
Limiting and Maximizing with the L2
The MaxxBCL unit uses the third-generation L2 Ultramaximizer processor,
combining an advanced peak limiter, level maximizer and a high perfor-
mance requantizer and dithering system called IDR™ (Increased Digital
Resolution). In addition, the L2 processor includes ninth-order noise-shaping
in the IDR™ implementation.
While the operation of conventional limiters is well understood, the limiter
section of the L2 Ultramaximizer is capable of a very fast, overshoot-free
response, and once the limiter threshold has been set, you can then go on
to define the actual peak level that the processed signal will reach. Once
set, limiting and level re-calibration becomes a one-shot process.
For mastering purposes, the peak level of the processed signal would nor-
mally be set to 0dB, or just below 0dB. Because a typical digital music sig-
nal contains multiple high-intensity short-duration peaks, simple normaliza-
tion of the signal may still result in a low average level. However, when using
the L2 Ultramaximizer, it is generally possible to significantly increase the
average level of a typical audio signal without introducing any audible side
effects. In the event that a deliberately limited sound is required, there is
more than adequate range in the limiter parameters to recreate ‘vintage’
effects such as level pumping or severely limited dynamic range.
When using the MaxxBCL in a digital based system, it is recommended that
the MaxxBCL be used last in the processing chain. Failure to do this will not
prevent the MaxxBCL from working, but you should be aware that the ab-
solute brickwall limiting will be compromised and you might need to re-limit
your signal to maintain the original level.
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