Waves L1 Maximizer

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Member Since: Aug 07, 2005

Hey guys, I've hear a lot of great things about the Waves L1 Maximizer. What exactly does it do or improve? Will it increase the volumes of my recording a lot? How about improving sound quality? Just curious, thanks.

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Feb 22, 2006 11:00 pm

Well jamiee, the L1 will hlep bring up the overall volume of the track. That is what a miximizer does. IT is basically a compressor/Limiter with a bit more control over the way the two pieces work together.

As for improving the sound, that is not something the L1 will really help with, unless the recording is just lacking punch, then it might do it.

For tweaking a recording that needs EQ help as well you would be looking and the L3 Multi band Maximizer. But it is not a cheap piece of software at all.

If it is the EQ side of things you really need help with you might try looking into HarBal as that is directed more at that area. A lot of us here at HRC use HarBal and love it. That piece of software alone has saved me countless hours of work here.

Member
Since: Feb 10, 2006


Feb 23, 2006 07:32 am

Is the HarBal a VST plug?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 23, 2006 07:32 am

No, it's a stand alone app, they tried to make it a VST plug but doing so would have forced sacrificing some of the core functionality.

Member
Since: Feb 10, 2006


Feb 23, 2006 08:54 am

Does this thing have the same type of features as say Wavelab? or is it a one trick pony kinda thing.

Do you basically open up a wav file in it and then apply the balancing functions?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 23, 2006 08:55 am

It's a harmonic balancer, no editing features at all, strictly a mastering equalizer/limiter...and the best damn one you'll ever find.

Member
Since: Feb 10, 2006


Feb 23, 2006 09:57 am

So basically you open up a wav file in it and then just apply the balancer and it automatically knows via it's internal analyzation where to boost and where to cut????

Sounds too good to be true!

Does it automatically determine where the overall level gets set or would I after the HB is applied then take that "harmonically balanced" wav file and bring it into Wavelab to determine how much L2 is applied.


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 23, 2006 10:02 am

Since using V2 of Harbal I really don't use L2 that much any more...you can, but you don't have to...HarBal will determine it to an extent, but when mastering a whole disc you have to make sure it's consistent from song to song.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 23, 2006 05:17 pm

I also use HarBal and I can tell ya, the mutts nutts indeed it is.

It is truly exvcellent. In fact, Im just aboot to master my bands demo using this so when its done, I'll pop it up...its top bannana stuff...love it.

Coco.

Member
Since: Sep 08, 2004


Feb 23, 2006 06:03 pm

I agree Harbal is amazing and the customer service (even to the point of mastering your song to help you along!!) is most excellent. One of the best purchases I ever made!!

Member
Since: Aug 07, 2005


Feb 23, 2006 07:17 pm

Are you saying that with HarBal you finsih everything bounce the file to .wav onto you're desktop or whatever and then use the program? It's not a plug-in? It has nothing to do with the Protools software that I'm using. The other thing is that I use a mac but I suppose I could transfer it to my PC if my understand is correct.

Member
Since: Feb 10, 2006


Feb 23, 2006 08:11 pm

I just bought it so it will be fun to see just how much better of a mastering job it does than I do :))

Without seeing it yet I am pretty certain you would mix down your tune to a wav.file then you would open up HarBal and then open up your wav file in it and then you would apply it.

Does it matter if the wav file is in 24/48? Or would you have to dither down to 16/44.1 first an then open it up in HarBal?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Feb 23, 2006 09:27 pm

Thats a good question Robbue. I have always dithered down before using HarBal so I cant answer that one. And I just shut down my main studio box its on, so dB will have to let ya know later.

Member
Since: May 15, 2004


Feb 24, 2006 01:52 am

I brought everything 32bit/48kHz into HarBal without any problems so far.. Dithering down to 16/44.1 is always the last stage for me..

Cheers!

Member
Since: Aug 07, 2005


Feb 24, 2006 06:39 am

Ok so you guys are saying that I can bounce my song as .wav on my Mac off of Protools then burn it to a cd bring it to my PC then use HarBal there?

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 24, 2006 06:52 am

Correct,,,,ye can do that.

Coco.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 24, 2006 07:21 am

...or wait a few months and the HarBal for Mac will be ready.

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