L3-LL Multimaximizer™ User Manual
L3-LL User Manual 2
L3-LL User Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................................4 1.1 WELCOME ..........................................................................................................................................................................4 1.2 PRODUCT OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................
L3-LL User Manual Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Welcome Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the time to read through this manual. In conjunction, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net. There you will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration. By signing up at www.wavesupport.
L3-LL User Manual 1.2 Product Overview The Waves L3-LL Multimaximizer is a Low Latency 5-band auto-summing peak limiter, the fifth processor in Waves’ acclaimed L-Series of Ultramaximizers and Multimaximizers. With the L3 Multimaximizer, Waves revolutionized the world of mastering. For the first time, producers and engineers could shape their final mixes with unprecedented precision.
L3-LL User Manual Finally, the L3-LL features Waves IDR™ Increased Digital Resolution double precision bit requantization and 9th-order noise shaping, for enhanced audio resolution at any setting.
L3-LL User Manual 1.3 Concepts and Terminology The Peak Limiting Mixer™ Traditional multiband limiters consist of a given number of limiters operating independently of each other, each set to a particular frequency range. The key to the L3-LL’s power is its patent-pending PLMixer™ Peak Limiting Mixer engine, which uses a single peak limiter to control all of its bands.
L3-LL User Manual L3-LL Release Behavior The L3-LL offers a wide range of sound qualities which are controlled using the release settings across its frequency bands. Like its predecessor the L3, the L3-LL’s band release times are determined by Waves ARC™ Auto Release Control, which dynamically chooses the optimal release value for a wide range of inputs. The ARC™ system, like the human ear, analyzes and reacts to RMS and peak transients differently, resulting in increased RMS level with greater clarity.
L3-LL User Manual Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide We recommend reading this manual to get the most out of the L3-LL. However, for a quick start to setting up the L3-LL on your audio, follow these steps: 1. Insert the L3-LL Multimaximizer into your project, preferably as the last processor on the master buss with no subsequent gain adjustment. 2. Play your audio, selecting a loop with a high RMS level. 3.
L3-LL User Manual Chapter 3 – Controls and Interface Global Limiter Section Frequency Bands Controls and Graph Section IDR Section 3.1 Global Limiter Section This section consists of controls that globally affect all of the L3-LL’s bands. Threshold/Input Meter - Range -30dB to 0dB - Default 0dB Threshold is probably the most important control of the L3-LL, as it sets the global limiting threshold as a reference threshold for the 5 bands.
L3-LL User Manual Out Ceiling/Output Meter - Range -30dB to 0dB - Default 0dB The Out Ceiling fader sets maximum output level, scaling the output signal to reach the out ceiling value but not exceed it. The Out Ceiling fader is located on the Output Meter. Below the Output Meter are Waves standard peak indicators. Click the peak indicator field to reset.
L3-LL User Manual Ultramaximizer Release - Range x0.1 to x10.0 - Default x1.0 The Release value is a multiplier for the L3-LLUltramximizer’s internal release time constants, as set by the selected Profile. It proportionately shortens or lengthens each band’s release values; lower values result in shorter release times; higher values result in longer release times.
L3-LL User Manual 3.2 Graph Display and Controls Section This section consists of the main display and controls for Separation, Xover, Solo, Gain, Priority, Release, and Master Release. Gain and Priority can be adjusted independently, or together, using the Link control. All parameter settings can be controlled by direct numerical entry into value windows, or by using the graphic display band markers. To use these controls effectively, you need some understanding of the L3-LL’s internal logic.
L3-LL User Manual Main Display Gain Curve Frequency Band Marker Crossover Cutoff Marker Peak Attenuation Hold Curve Attenuation Range Dynamic Gain Line Momentary Attenuation The Gain/Frequency graph displays the peak attenuation across the frequency range. The top purple line is the applied Gain curve. The orange line is the Dynamic Gain line and shows Gain changes as they happen. The semi-transparent purple shade displays a smoothed trail of the Dynamic Gain line.
L3-LL User Manual Band Controls The Band Controls section features controls over the Crossover network which splits the input into Frequency Bands. Each Band has controls for Solo, Gain, Priority, Release, and a Meter displaying the input level. Separation - Range 0 to 100 - Default 100 Separation is similar to a filter cutoff slope (or Q) between the bands’ sidechain being fed to the PLMixer™.
L3-LL User Manual Gain - Range -12dB to +12dB - Default 0dB Gain controls the overall gain of each frequency band. To boost the gain of a given range without overlimiting it, raise both Priority and Gain. Gain/Priority Link The them. button allows simultaneous control of Gain and Priority, retaining a constant offset between Priority - Range -12dB to +12dB - Default 0dB Priority adjusts the relative limiting, or relative attenuation distribution, across the bands.
L3-LL User Manual Master Release - Range ARC, Aggressive, Warm, Scaled, Manual - Default ARC Waves ARC™ Auto Release Control technology optimizes the actual release time in context with the program. In the L3-LL all Release behavior types use a certain amount of ARC, where some are more adaptive and others less, or the amount of ARC is scaled across the bands in different ways. ARC – This is the nominal default release behavior type. It is a good overall setting for most material.
L3-LL User Manual 3.3 IDR™ Section Quantize - Range 24, 22, 20, 18, 16 bit - Default 24 The Quantize control sets the target bit depth of the L3-LL output. Quantize is always active, so the output of the L3-LL will be quantized to a maximum of 24-bits even if you are in a floating point environment. Dither - Range Type 1, Type 2, None - Default Type 1 Type 1 is “purist” dithering, designed for no modulation noise at low levels.
L3-LL User Manual Chapter 4 – The WaveSystem 4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar All Waves processors feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care of most administrative functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The features of the WaveSystem toolbar are the same on practically all Waves processors, so familiarity with its features will be helpful whichever processor you are using. Toolbar Functions Undo Redo Setup A/B Copy A->B Load Save ? Undoes the last performed action.
L3-LL User Manual Loading Presets and Setups Click-and-hold on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four sections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load pop-up menu. Open Preset File… Select to open any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or your own creations. ‘Filename.xps’: Displays any currently loaded Setup File and its presets. Factory Presets: Displays the default Factory Presets.
L3-LL User Manual Deleting Presets You may delete User Presets and presets within a Setup File. Factory Presets and Setup Library files cannot be deleted or overwritten. 1. Hold the Command (Mac)/Control (PC) key down. 2. Click-and-hold the Load button to see the pop-up menu. 3. While still holding the Command/Control key, select the preset or setup to delete. 4. A confirmation box will appear, allowing you to cancel or ‘OK’ the deletion.
L3-LL User Manual Value Window Buttons Value windows display the value of a control and allow click-and-drag adjustment, or direct control via the keyboard. • • • Using the mouse, click-and-drag on the value window to adjust. Some value windows support left/right, some up/down (as you hover over a button, arrows will appear to let you know which direction of movement that button supports).
L3-LL User Manual Multiple Selection of Controls One of the most powerful features of the WaveSystem is the ability to select and adjust many controls at the same time. Using the mouse, simply drag-select the desired group of button or graphic controls by clicking and holding at a point outside the controls and forming a rectangle to include the controls you wish to adjust. Alternatively, you can hold down Shift while clicking the mouse on any control you wish to link.
L3-LL User Manual Appendix A – Controls List Control Threshold/Input Meter Out Ceiling/Output Meter Attenuation Meter Master Release Release Priority Gain Xover Separation Quantize Dither Shaping Ultramaximizer Profiles Ultramaximizer Release Range -30dB to 0dB -30dB to 0dB -30dB to 0dB ARC, Aggressive, Warm, Scaled, Manual 0.
L3-LL User Manual Appendix B - IDR™ In Depth Dithering and Noise Shaping Dithering and Noise Shaping are two independent, complementary techniques that improve the perceived quality of digital audio after it has been re-quantized. Each technique is responsible for the improvement of a different subjective quality of the noise caused by re-quantization. Dithering alters the character of the quantization noise to more closely resemble analog hiss, rather than digital quantization noise.
L3-LL User Manual Type2 Type 2 is a narrow-band dither which adds a minimal the amount of noise. It delivers a noise level about 5dB lower than Type 1, while adding some low level distortion. (The distortion level is lower than when no dithering is applied.) IDR™ Noise Shaping Options As explained above, noise shaping shifts the noise to the frequency ranges where we hear it the least. The three Noise Shaping options provided by the IDR™ system differ in the amount of this shifting.
