Limiter

Limits audio peaks to prevent clipping and maintain consistent output levels, essential for mastering and preventing distortion.

Props

Prop	Type	Default	Description
input	ModStreamRef	Required	Reference to input audio signal
output	ModStreamRef	Required	Reference to output audio signal
label	string	'limiter'	Label for metadata
threshold	number	-1	Threshold in dB (controlled or initial value)
onThresholdChange	(value: number) => void	-	Callback when threshold changes
release	number	0.05	Release time in seconds (controlled or initial value)
onReleaseChange	(value: number) => void	-	Callback when release changes
children	function	-	Render prop function

Render Props

When using the children render prop, the following controls are provided:

Property	Type	Description
threshold	number	Current threshold in dB
setThreshold	(value: number) => void	Update the threshold
release	number	Current release time in seconds
setRelease	(value: number) => void	Update the release time
isActive	boolean	Whether the processor is active

Usage

Basic Usage

import { Limiter } from '@mode-7/mod';

function MyComponent() {
  const inputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);
  const outputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);

  return (
    <Limiter
      input={inputRef}
      output={outputRef}
      threshold={-1}
      release={0.05}
    />
  );
}

With Render Props

import { Limiter } from '@mode-7/mod';

function MyComponent() {
  const inputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);
  const outputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);

  return (
    <Limiter input={inputRef} output={outputRef}>
      {({ threshold, setThreshold, release, setRelease }) => (
        <div>
          <label>
            Threshold: {threshold.toFixed(1)} dB
            <input
              type="range"
              min="-20"
              max="0"
              step="0.1"
              value={threshold}
              onChange={(e) => setThreshold(parseFloat(e.target.value))}
            />
          </label>
          <label>
            Release: {(release * 1000).toFixed(0)} ms
            <input
              type="range"
              min="0.01"
              max="0.5"
              step="0.01"
              value={release}
              onChange={(e) => setRelease(parseFloat(e.target.value))}
            />
          </label>
        </div>
      )}
    </Limiter>
  );
}

Controlled Props

import { Limiter } from '@mode-7/mod';
import { useState } from 'react';

function MyComponent() {
  const inputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);
  const outputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);
  const [threshold, setThreshold] = useState(-1);
  const [release, setRelease] = useState(0.05);

  return (
    <div>
      <Limiter
        input={inputRef}
        output={outputRef}
        threshold={threshold}
        onThresholdChange={setThreshold}
        release={release}
        onReleaseChange={setRelease}
      />
      <button onClick={() => setThreshold(-3)}>Conservative</button>
      <button onClick={() => setThreshold(-1)}>Aggressive</button>
      <button onClick={() => setRelease(0.01)}>Fast</button>
      <button onClick={() => setRelease(0.2)}>Slow</button>
    </div>
  );
}

Imperative Refs

import { Limiter } from '@mode-7/mod';
import { useRef } from 'react';

function MyComponent() {
  const inputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);
  const outputRef = useRef<ModStreamRef>(null);
  const limiterRef = useRef(null);

  const logState = () => {
    if (limiterRef.current) {
      const state = limiterRef.current.getState();
      console.log('Limiter state:', state);
    }
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <Limiter
        ref={limiterRef}
        input={inputRef}
        output={outputRef}
      />
      <button onClick={logState}>Log State</button>
    </div>
  );
}

Note: The imperative handle provides read-only access via getState(). To control the component programmatically, use the controlled props pattern shown above.

Important Notes

• The limiter prevents audio from exceeding the threshold level
• Threshold is typically set close to 0 dB to prevent clipping (e.g., -1 to -3 dB)
• Lower threshold values provide more aggressive limiting
• Fast release times (10-50ms) are transparent but may cause pumping on bass-heavy material
• Slower release times (100-500ms) are smoother but may reduce dynamic range
• Limiters are typically placed at the end of an effects chain
• Use for: preventing clipping, maximizing loudness, protecting speakers/headphones

Related

• Compressor - Dynamic range compression with ratio control
• Gate - Silences audio below a threshold
• Distortion - Adds harmonic distortion