FINIS 3
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Multi Band Peak Limiting & Loudness Maximization
How FINIS 3 Works
The Finis 3 is a 3-band peak limiter that is a new approach for multi band peak limiting due to RNDigital’s superb FIR filter technology providing an excellent separation of three bands without phase shift on the crossover frequencies. The Finis 3 does consist of 3 independent peak limiters operating separately on each of the bands as well as one central peak limiter controlling the sum of all bands. The Finis 3 is based on RNDigital’s excellent Finis Brick-Wall Peak Limiter and FIR Filter Band-Splitting Technology.
The Finis Brick-Wall Algorithm examines the signals of all of its input bands and provides an optimal attenuation for each of the bands, which applies automatic Gain to each of its input bands or to the sum of the bands of each input channel, so that the mixed result is peak limited.
In a single band or wide band peak limiter, only one attenuation value needs to be computed to bring the input to the Threshold. In a multiband peak limiter, there is more freedom as to how the attenuation is calculated across the bands to gather an equal output peak limiting.
The Finis 3 has no inter-modulations between the frequency bands compared with a wide or single band peak limiter because of its efficient FIR Filter Technology known from RNDigital’s Spl-izer Band Splitter Plug-In.
The Finis 3 GUI (Graphical User Interface) offers a global section that includes the same controls as the RNDigital’s Detailer and Finis signal processors and the new ergonomics and modern look and feel of RNDigital’s latest release, the D1. These controls are Ceiling, Drive, (Master) Release, and the Dither section.
The Finis 3 Loudness Maximizer offers per-band Gain/Bias, Release, Reaction and Knee controls. The global Release Behavior and the per band Release, Reaction, Bias and Knee controls allow for optimizing the proper setting per band, during which RNDigital’s Master Release/Limiting Technology is always engaged when starting up, but can be turned off, if needed.
The Finis 3 is a Loudness Maximizer Processor and thus can be used on its own as a full mastering chain placed on the master fader after all mixing plug-ins and compressors.
Clipping Protection
Maybe a word about the use for Limiting. When audio levels exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the target medium (CD, disk file, etc.), the audio is “clipped” to this maximum value. The result is an unpleasant and very audible distortion, which is visible as a flattening of the peaks of the audio waveform when the audio is inspected in a waveform viewer. The primary job of a peak limiter, like Finis 3, is to limit audio levels to a specified value to prevent this clipping and the associated distortion.
Make it Louder
Catching and curbing the occasional excessive audio peak is not a limiter’s only function. In addition to preventing audio from exceeding some maximum, limiters have the added benefit of allowing the engineer to increase the loudness of the limited material. Because audio generally contains an abundance of very short duration, high amplitude peaks, the average audio level lies well below the maximum. Limiting can bring up the average level of the material, resulting in an increase in loudness. Increasing the audio loudness may be advisable to meet the needs of the target audio system, balance levels of different tracks of a compilation, or for myriad other reasons.
Finis 3 employs a psychoacoustic limiting algorithm that analyze several aspects of your audio and, considering the way humans perceive volume levels, intelligently adjusts your audio levels to keep them under the maximum you have specified. It quickly decreases the level to bring the peak under the maximum, preventing distortion from occurring. Because Finis 3 is a 3-Band brick wall peak limiter, it will never allow the audio to exceed the maximum output level you have specified.
Sound Coloring
Some limiters impart their own sound or color to the processed audio. Finis 3, on the other hand, uses a proprietary algorithm that operates transparently, making it an effective choice on any material, from punk rock to electronis over to classical. However, Finis 3s’ limiting algorithm is exceedingly dynamic – equally capable of subtle limiting or more creative limiting effects.
Next to compressors, limiters are probably the most abused effects processors - and it is easy to understand why. The effect of limiting, when used minimally, can be exceedingly difficult to perceive. This difficulty can lead to over use as limiting is increased so the effect is more pronounced. This, in turn, can result in a decrease in the dynamic range of the audio, an inappropriate increase in the audio loudness, and a measurable, or perceived, degradation in audio quality.
Crest Metering
To address the complexities inherent in making effective use of a limiter while maintaining a good dynamic audio range, Finis 3 provides a meter not commonly found on other limiters: the Crest Factor Input/Output (I/O) Meter. As explained more thoroughly later in this guide, crest factor provides a quantitative measure of audio dynamics. By analyzing the crest factors of different recordings, an engineer is able to make a concrete comparison between the dynamics of different audio sources. Most importantly, because Finis 3s’ Crest Factor Meter indicates the crest factor of the input and output, as well as the difference between these two values, the user is able to see how limiting is affecting the dynamics of the material. Though the Crest Factor meter is not a commonly used tool, it can be invaluable in understanding and recognizing how limiting choices affect audio dynamics. The Crest Factor section found later in this manual helps to guide the engineer in becoming familiar with interpreting and making the best use of this meter.
Finis 3 is a transparent and dynamic 3-Band peak limiter applicable to all genres. In addition to clean and effective limiting and loudness maximization, Finis 3 provides engineers with the tools needed to best utilize limiting in today’s aggressive audio limiting climate.
FINIS-System Requirement
- Mac OS X (10.3.9+)
- Windows XP and Vista
- Requires VST, AU or RTAS host
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