Waves Audio L4 Ultramaximizer

Waves Audio, a developer of professional audio signal processing technologies and plugins, is now shipping the L4 Ultramaximizer, an adaptive limiter for modern music. Powered by next-generation technology, the L4 introduces a forward-thinking take on limiting, raising the bar for modern loudness tools. This new plugin delivers not only highly competitive loudness levels for streaming, but also preserves musicality, offering greater low-end impact, enhanced dynamics and transient punch, and a more vibrant overall sound.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the Waves L1 and L2 became industry-standard tools for peak limiting and level maximization, setting the reference point for loudness among scores of legendary records. But loudness was yesterday’s battle. Today, music needs more. Contemporary sound is deeper, bigger and more dynamic. Artists grab attention with more than just volume – they do it with nuance, impact and feel. A true limiter should enhance the musicality of a track, not simply reduce its dynamic range, and that’s exactly what the L4 achieves. It’s not merely a limiter, it’s a complete rethink of how loudness enhances musical expression.

Engineered for precision across a wide array of production styles, the L4 offers five new and unique limiting algorithms to match your sound’s aesthetic, with the understanding that every song is different: Modern, Aggressive, Smooth, Safe, and of course, Waves has provided the legendary L2 sound as well:

• Adaptive Clipper & Release: Clipping and Release settings are automatically tailored to the content by the plugin. Once applied, you can fine-tune their relative levels in real time, shaping the transient impact and overall feel to suit the track.
• Upward Compression: Inspired by the classic Waves MV2 plugin, this module is designed to enhance low-level details and add density. When combined with optimized limiter settings, the L4 delivers greater loudness and heightened dynamic impact.
• Ultra-Low Latency: The L4 is a versatile workhorse, equally at home in tracking, mixing, and mastering, capable of handling even the most demanding back-to-back sessions. It’s also live performance-ready, seamlessly integrating with Waves eMotion LV1 and LV1 Classic mixing consoles, SuperRack SoundGrid, SuperRack Performer.
• LUFS Metering: Prepare your track for streaming with precision. Featuring both short-term and long-term LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) metering, the L4 provides accurate level monitoring throughout your workflow, ensuring your songs are optimized for streaming platforms.

L4 Ultramaximizer features:

• Peak limiter – designed for a new era of loudness
• Brand-new sound, optimized for modern music production
• Five unique limiting algorithms: Modern, Aggressive, Smooth, Safe, L2
• Ultra-low latency performance
• True Peak limiting for precise control
• Two GUI modes: Graph and Classic
• Inspired by the iconic simplicity of L1 & L2 limiters
• Adaptive Clipping & Release controls to shape transient impact
• Upward compression for enhanced loudness in quieter passages
• Advanced features: LUFS metering, upsampling, dithering, delta monitoring, stereo link
• One-click gain match feature for instant A/B comparison

The L4 Ultramaximizer has been added to the Waves Ultimate plugin subscription, which includes the comprehensive Waves plugin catalog (over 240 plugins) as monthly or annual subscriptions. It is also available for purchase (perpetual license) as a separate plugin, or within these Waves bundles: Mercury, Live Plus, Pro Show and SD7 Pro Show.

www.waves.com