Specifications

Audio Plug-Ins Guide96
Maxim Attenuation Meter
This meter displays the amount of gain reduc-
tion being applied over the course of playback,
with the maximum peak displayed in the nu-
meric readout at the bottom of the meter. For
example, if the numerical display at the bottom
of the Attenuation meter displays a value of
4 dB, it means that 4 dB of limiting has oc-
curred. Since this is a peak-hold readout, you
can temporarily walk away from a session dur-
ing playback and still know the maximum gain
reduction value when you come back. To clear
the numeric readout, click it with the mouse.
Release Slider
This slider sets how long it takes for Maxim to
ease off of its attenuation after the input signal
drops below the threshold level. Because Maxim
has an attack time of zero milliseconds, the re-
lease slider has a very noticeable effect on the
character of limiting. In general, if you are using
heavy limiting, you should use proportionally
longer release times in order to avoid pumping
that may occur when Maxim is forced to jump
back and forth between limited and unlimited
signal levels. Lengthening the release time has
the effect of smoothing out these changes in
level by introducing a lag in the ramp-up or
ramp-down time of attenuation. Use short re-
lease times on material with peaks that are rela-
tively few in number and that do not occur in
close proximity to each other. The Release con-
trol has a default value of 1 millisecond.
Maxim Mix Slider
This slider sets the ratio of dry signal to limited
signal. In general, if you are applying Maxim to
a main output mix, you will probably want to set
this control to 100% wet. If you are applying
heavy limiting to an individual track or element
in a mix to modify its character, this control is
particularly useful since it lets you add precisely
the desired amount of the processed effect to the
original signal.
Maxim Link Button
When depressed, this button (located between
the Threshold and Ceiling numeric readouts)
links the Threshold and Ceiling controls. These
two sliders will then move proportionally to-
gether. As you lower the Threshold control, the
Ceiling control is lowered as well. When these
controls are linked you can conveniently com-
pare the effect of limiting at unity gain by click-
ing the Bypass button.
Link button