Working with Logic’s Adaptive Limiter

1 Import audio

Drag the audio file ‘Adaptive.wav’ onto a new audio track in an empty Logic project. Import the tempo information so that the project sets itself to a tempo of 108bpm. 2 EQ buster

In the Channel inspector pane, the rightmost channel is the main Stereo Out channel. Click on its first Audio FX slot and select Eq>single Band EQ from the menu. 3 Cut subs

To remove any unwanted subharmonic frequencies from the mix, set the EQ Mode to ‘Low Cut’ and dial the Frequency control down to around 30Hz. 4 Add compression

In the next Audio FX slot down, choose Dynamics>compressor>stereo. Set the Attack and Release controls to the 12 o’clock position to ensure even compression. 5 A certain ratio

Set the Ratio control to 2:1 to give us some gentle, light compression, then turn off the Auto Gain to prevent the compressor from artificially inflating the output level. 6 Set threshold

Adjust the compressor’s Threshold control until the gain reduction meter shows about 3db of gain reduction. A setting of around -15db does the trick in this case. 7 Limited appeal

The Adaptive Limiter can now make up the output gain and deliver a perceivably louder result. In the third FX slot, choose Dynamics>adaptive Limiter>stereo. 8 Hit the ceiling

To ensure your audio file won’t go into the red, set your Adaptive Limiter’s output ceiling to -1.0db. The output level won’t go above this, thus avoiding any clipping. 9 LUFS in the air

In the next FX slot, select Metering> Loudness Meter>stereo to check your track’s loudness. Adjust the Adaptive Limiter’s Gain control to achieve a reading of around -14db.