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Read | Features | ab Compressor - Limiter X | Watch | User Guide | Specs || Top
Spatial compression. Precision Control
"ab Compressor | Limiter" is a three-dimensional dynamics processor, compatible with Mono, Stereo, and Ambisonics signals. "ab Compressor | Limiter" works internally in Ambisonics, making it compatible with any speaker array imaginable, from headphones and surround systems to Dolby Atmos.
Unlike traditional compressors that process an entire mix equally, "ab Compressor | Limiter" lets you shape compression, brickwall limiting, and harmonic saturation throughout the soundfield. Every dimensional pole - Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, and Bottom - can be processed independently, allowing you to control the dynamics and tone of an Ambisonics mix with unprecedented spatial precision.
Link dimensions together for familiar bus compression and mastering workflows, or decouple them to process each region of the soundfield independently. Tighten transients at the front, preserve natural dynamics behind the listener, add harmonic warmth overhead, or apply brickwall limiting only where it is needed. With independent control over Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Make-Up Gain, Output, and Saturation, every adjustment can become a creative spatial decision.
Whether you're producing music, mixing for film, creating game audio, or building immersive VR experiences, "ab Compressor | Limiter" delivers true spatial dynamics processing for Stereo, Ambisonics, and Dolby Atmos workflows. From transparent compression and peak protection to analogue-style saturation and creative sound design, it transforms dynamics processing into a powerful tool for sculpting sound in three dimensions.
With ‘ab Compressor | Limiter’ you can:
Work completely in Stereo whilst taking advantage of the psycho-acoustic characteristics sound takes when it’s being manipulated three-dimensionally.
Blow-up a Mono/Stereo sound source to Ambisonics, and subsequently to any Surround, Atmos or Immersive format out there.
Work natively with any Ambisonics signal (1OA through 7OA*).
Automatic Input selection
No matter if your input audio is in Mono, Stereo or Ambisonics, our algorithm will automatically try to detect it. Regardless, you can also select manually.
Automatic Output Selection
Our algorithm will adapat the output signal to the width of your track automatically. Regardless, you can also select manually.
If your output is set to Ambisonics, you’ll be able to decode the signal to any speaker array configuration, from Stereo to Binaural, Surround formats (such as 5.1) and even Atmos (such as 7.1.2, 7.1.4, etc.)
Visualise Pre, Post, and Gain Reduction per Dimensional Pole (Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, Bottom).
Three independent visualisers allow you to see how your signal is being compressed in every dimension! You can flip each visualiser, hide/show pre-compression, post-compression and gain reduction signals, and even zoom the visualisations if needed!
A beefed Compressor, Limiter, and Saturator - per Dimensional Pole (Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, Bottom).
While you can universally control a lookahead of 0ms up to 10ms, each Dimensional Pole can be linked with others. And here comes the fun part! A per-pole PEAK/RMS compressor with Attack (0.01-300ms), Release (0.01ms - 5secs), Ratio (1:1 to 99:1 or LIMITER), Knee (0-20dB), Make-Up (-24dB to 24dB) and Saturate controls. At the end of your chain, a MIX control allows you to introduce Parallel Compression per dimensional pole!
Control Gain, A/B, Solo, and Mute of each Dimensional Pole.
Control, Solo, or Mute each Dimensional Pole
Further control and Visualise your three-dimensional output.
Expand your signal throughout the Soundfield with the BUOY Control. Control the Dry/Wet level of your processed signal, and visualise your final three-dimensional output.
IMMERSIVE SIDECHAIN? HELL YEAH!
That’s right! With ‘ab Compressor | Limiter’ you can work with Sidechains in Mono, Stereo or even Ambisonics: From 1st all the way to 7th order (if your DAW supports it) - this way you can literally compress even the smallest areas anywhere around the soundfield!
ab Compressor | Limiter X for iOS
ab Compressor | Limiter X is the iOS version of ab Compressor | Limiter, bringing three-dimensional compression, brickwall limiting, and harmonic saturation to iPhone and iPad. Available both as a standalone app and an AUv3 (Audio Unit) plugin, it integrates seamlessly with iOS DAWs including GarageBand, Logic Pro for iPad, Cubasis, AUM, and many more.
Designed for Stereo signals, ab Compressor | Limiter X gives you independent control over each Dimensional Pole (Left, Right, and Front), allowing you to shape the dynamics and character of your mix with precision. Featuring a Compressor, Brickwall Limiter, and Saturation stage, it includes the essential controls of its desktop counterpart while performing all processing per dimensional pole for true spatial dynamics processing.
As a standalone app, simply open ab Compressor | Limiter X and use any compatible audio interface to process microphones, vocals, instruments, synthesisers, or any other audio source directly on your iPhone or iPad.
As an AUv3 (Audio Unit) plugin, ab Compressor | Limiter X works as an insert effect in any iOS DAW that supports AUv3 plugins, making it easy to bring professional compression, limiting, and saturation into your mobile music production workflow.
Technical Specifications
CPU: i7+ (4+ cores)
RAM: 8GB+
HDD: 100MB
Silicon | Intel
10.13+
Intel | AMD
Windows 10+
Compatibility Notes
Requires Pulse Downloader (click to download)
This plugin is compatible with any major DAW in mono/stereo mode, for Ambisonics signals, a compatible decoder and DAW should be used. We recommend you check our ‘ab Decoder Suite’!
For working in Stereo, this product is compatible with all major DAWs.
For working in Spatial/Immersive/Ambisonics Audio, this product is compatible with the DAWs below:
Pro Tools Studio | Pro Tools Ultimate
Cubase Pro 12+ | Nuendo 12+
Logic Pro X
Studio One 6.5+
Reaper 6+
MaxMSP
DaVinci Resolve Studio 20+
*AAX works in any Ambisonics Order up to 7OA in Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.6 and above. As of today, the other versions of Pro Tools are still limited to 3OA.
* AU is still limited to 1OA due to Logic’s own limitations, sadly.
