PreSonus Forums

On the Main Out should I put my limiter in the Insert or the Post plugin area?
What are the differences between the two?

Thanks
J

A typical use...

Insert: tame and ensure all pre-fader levels don't blast the master input.

Post: ensure there is no clipping when finalizing your song, CD, mp3, etc..

Some even use it to boost a track or even possibly the master output.

They are very similar in what they do but there are reasons for using one over another. Supposing you have created the perfect mix but it has reached an average rms level of say -11 dB FS. You were working at say K-14 and the levels on your tracks and buses are all at -14 but because you were not completely vigilant then you have got a great mix that is 3 dB too loud on your master buss. (note a VU meter in the pre master insert will clearly show you this)

The Pre fader insert is the place to put some sort of processing perhaps but the signal hitting this is going to be high. That processor may for whatever reason not like being driven so hard.

So we use the master fader to drop the overall level of the mix by 3 dB. We insert a VU meter post fader and see that our mix is now back down to -14. So any process you apply after the fader eg POST insert will now be getting the nice lower -14 dB FS level and it might be happier as a result. The signal flows out directly from the post master fader insert to the outside world. But the good news is the master meter is still showing you that level which is to be expected.

A good thing to do is to get onto the Studio One signal flow diagrams and some very nice kind people have done them for us and posted them. (perhaps check the old forum. Thank you so much jpettit) It is well worth a look and you will often discover things you did not know re the signal flow throughout Studio One.

It is a bit like a mixing console. If you own one and use one you really owe it to yourself to study the block diagrams and signal flow diagrams right through that mixer from input to output. It can be a real eye opener at times too. If I am about to do a live mix on a desk I have never worked with before I get into the venue a few days prior, get the exact details for that mixer and download the manual and all the signal flow diagrams. Saves a lot of time and hassle on the day I can assure you.

Thanks Jemusic for the detailed explanation. It took me a few reads to wrap my head around it, but I think I got it now.
I found the jpettit signal flow diagram and downloaded the pdf for future reference.
Thanks guys for helping me understand.