Zener Limiter Plugin

[Emigdio Binet]

Ihave had many chances to try out and use gear from Chandler Limited, either in plugin form or with pieces of analog hardware as a guest engineer in commercial studios. I can say without reservation that everything they make is of the highest quality, in terms of circuit design and build. In addition, everything they make does something unique and interesting.

After my recent review of the Curve Bender EQ, I was excited to give the Chandler Limited Zener Limiter a try and run it through its paces. Since I already own a UAD QUAD Satellite, the installation was easy and I was quickly on my way.

While most of it seemed like every other limiter, there were a few things that I felt needed some clarification. I could just run some signal through it and play around with the controls to see what it does (and I did), but I felt that a deeper understanding was warranted to really get the most out of this box. Time to consult the manual!

A few of the controls need some explanation due to the uniqueness of the compressor. It is worth noting that all of the information in the user manual is pertinent to the hardware version, but for the most part, the plugin version behaves and reacts the same.

The Input control is an audio taper control, so it will not behave as you might expect if it were a linear taper control. Since the Zener Limiter is a fixed-threshold compressor, the amount of compression is set by how hard you drive the input, rather than having an independent threshold control. This is the same as an LA-2A and an 1176, so most users will be familiar with this concept.

One unique feature that the plugin version offers is that the limiter can be used in dual mono, stereo, or Mid/Side mode. For dealing with stereo sources, Mid/Side operation gives you more flexibility and can be a life-saver when mastering stereo mixes with too much or too little vocal. It certainly adds to the appeal of this plugin.

When compressing kick drum (something I almost never do), the Zener Limiter was pretty aggressive but did work very well for a vintage, colored sound that accentuated the front end of the kick while giving me control of the length of the decay. On a full drum mix, it was just too aggressive for my tastes. However, I could see it working well in specific situations where a bouncy, noticeably compressed sound is needed. Even though it was more compression than I would typically use on a full drum mix, it never sounded bad, it was just too obvious.

The last thing I tried was to use the Zener Limiter as a 2-Mix compressor, which to me is the ultimate test for a compressor/limiter. Not all compressors work well for this important duty, and the complexity of a full mix tends to shine a light on the weaknesses in any compressor.

There are so many compressors and limiters in the market these days that the choices can be dizzying. I find that my workflow sometimes gets bogged down by the process of trying out many different compressors in various situations. Since I have so many high-quality plugin choices available, I find it helpful to hear what each may have to offer.

The original EMI limiters featured a single attack setting and six release settings. The Chandler Limited TG12413 Zener Limiter boasts 11 attack and 21 release settings, greatly enhancing its usefulness in your workflows and ensuring just the right setting for your sources.

Like the hardware, the Chandler Limited Zener Limiter plug-in is flexible enough for tracking, mixing, or mastering scenarios. Smooth-out and add character to vocals, picked acoustic guitar, or percussion without losing vital transients, or inject strength and punch to a drum bus. And with the plug-in-only Link and Mid/Side features, the Chandler Limited Zener Limiter plug-in can add bold, warm, vintage shades to your stereo bus or mastering chain.

Chandler Limited and associated logos are trademarks of Chandler Limited used under license. Abbey Road Studios, EMI, TG, RS, Zener Limiter and their associated logos are trademarks of EMI (IP) Limited.

Exacting emulation of this modern classic limiter for mixing and mastering, fully authenticated by Chandler Limited

Based on the vintage EMI TG12345 desks used to record The Beatles and Pink Floyd

Models entire Chandler Limited TG12413 Zener Limiter electronic path including transformers and circuit nonlinearities

Plug-in-only features include Mid/Side functionality and channel linking

Includes Artist Presets from Tony Maserati, Joe Chiccarelli, Ryan Hewitt, Howard Willing, Kevin Kadish, and John Rausch

I have almost all the UAD Plug-ins and this one is really a game changer. It along with the Curve Bender creates the best combo for finishing my bus mixes in Luna. I put both on each bus mix (i.e. Vocals, Guitars, etc) start with one of the closest presets to what I'm mixing, fiddle with the knobs and everything pops! Crazy good. Must have!

I don't actually buy many non UAD exclusive plugins because I already own most of the Plugins alliance and Softube stuff. Including this, but man this just sounds so phat and aggressive that I can't stop using it to add mojo to my drums!

I LOVE this limiter. Great character, punchy, adds a little extra "something" to whatever runs through it, even with subtle settings.

Killer on drums, and on bass so far.

Using it as a effect with extreme settings yields awesome and usable results.

The THD saturation is excellent, too.

Highly recommend this one.

E.

Which is the only thing I have used it on so far. It brings a mid forward push on the drum bus that is pretty sweet sounding. I'm sure it would sound great on other sources too. Drums is where it's at for me though.

As the ultimate birthday tribute, the Chandler Zener Limiter certainly takes some beating, even if you worked at Abbey Road in its heyday. Chandler Limited re-issued the Chandler TG12413, a lovely licensed replica of the classic Abbey Road console compressor when the studio celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Built to the same exacting standards as all Chandler equipment, the Chandler Zener Limiter uses the circuit designs of two proven EMI workhorses to bring this warm, characterful compressor up into the modern age - but still using the zener diode that gave it both its name and its unique sound.

With step-switching on all controls, the Chandler Zener Limiter lets you calibrate your settings with precision. A two-channel unit the Chandler Zener Limiter can be operated as both stereo and dual mono. Setting up the compression is easy, with two fixed-ratio compression settings and one for the limiter - however, you choose how hard they bite and let go for maximum Abbey Road effect.

Modern upgrades on the Chandler TG12413 include a THD circuit to let you access the melodious distortion that results from pushing the Zener Limiter hard, variable side-chain filters and switchable impedance.

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