Waves Multimaximizer L3-LL User manual

L3-LL Multimaximizer™
User Manual

L3-LL User Manual
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L3-LL User Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 WELCOME ..........................................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 PRODUCT OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................................................5
1.3 CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 7
The Peak Limiting Mixer™.................................................................................................................................................7
Gain and Priority................................................................................................................................................................7
Separation ...........................................................................................................................................................................7
L3-LL Release Behavior......................................................................................................................................................8
1.4 COMPONENTS .....................................................................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 2 – QUICKSTART GUIDE ..................................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 3 – CONTROLS AND INTERFACE.................................................................................................................10
3.1 GLOBAL LIMITER SECTION ............................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 GRAPH DISPLAY AND CONTROLS SECTION....................................................................................................................... 13
Main Display.....................................................................................................................................................................14
Band Controls ...................................................................................................................................................................15
3.3 IDR™SECTION ................................................................................................................................................................18
CHAPTER 4 – THE WAVESYSTEM...................................................................................................................................19
4.1 THE WAVESYSTEM TOOLBAR .......................................................................................................................................... 19
Toolbar Functions.............................................................................................................................................................19
4.2 PRESET HANDLING ...........................................................................................................................................................19
Preset Types ......................................................................................................................................................................19
Loading Presets and Setups ..............................................................................................................................................20
Saving Presets and Setups.................................................................................................................................................20
Deleting Presets ................................................................................................................................................................21
A/B Comparison and Copying ..........................................................................................................................................21
4.3 INTERFACE CONTROLS .....................................................................................................................................................21
Toggle Buttons ..................................................................................................................................................................21
Value Window Buttons ......................................................................................................................................................22
Faders ...............................................................................................................................................................................22
Band Markers....................................................................................................................................................................22
Multiple Selection of Controls ..........................................................................................................................................23
TAB Functions ..................................................................................................................................................................23
APPENDIX A – CONTROLS LIST.......................................................................................................................................24
APPENDIX B - IDR™IN DEPTH .........................................................................................................................................25
Dithering and Noise Shaping ............................................................................................................................................25
IDR ™ Dither Options........................................................................................................................................................25
IDR ™ Noise Shaping Options ...........................................................................................................................................26
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L3-LL User Manual
Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 Welcome
Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the
time to read through this manual.
In conjunction, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net. There you will find
an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software
Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration.
By signing up at www.wavesupport.net, you will receive personalized information on your registered
products, reminders when updates are available, and information on your authorization status.
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L3-LL User Manual
1.2 Product Overview
The Waves L3-LL Multimaximizer is a Low Latency 5-band auto-summing peak limiter, the fifth
processor in Waves’ acclaimed L-Series of Ultramaximizers and Multimaximizers. With the L3
Multimaximizer, Waves revolutionized the world of mastering. For the first time, producers and
engineers could shape their final mixes with unprecedented precision. Now, Waves is proud to present
the L3-LL, a multiband peak limiter that lets you maximize your mix, track by track, instrument by
instrument.
Powered by the Waves PLMixer™Peak Limiting Mixer engine, the L3-LL offers Gain, Priority and
Release controls arranged in a 5 band interface. The L3-LL features a phase-compensated crossover
network that splits the signal into 5 adjustable frequency bands while maintaining minimal phase
distortion.
The L3-LL uses the same Profiles presets as its predecessor the L3, offering a wide variety of sonic
flavors ranging from analog warm to digital cool. Release Characters affect the behavior of the L3-LL’s
ARC™Automatic Release Control across the split-band spectrum.
The L3-LL offers two different plug-in interfaces to control the same essential algorithm.
The L3-LL Ultramaximizer maintains the general control surface of its predecessors the L1 and L2.
It adds a Profile selection that controls different internal settings of the multiband engine.
The L3-LL Multimaximizer allows full parametric control over Gain, Priority and Release factors for
each frequency band, for equalization and fine tuning. In fact, the L3-LL offers much more than just
limiting; it can be used as a fully self-contained mastering chain.
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L3-LL User Manual
Finally, the L3-LL features Waves IDR™Increased Digital Resolution double precision bit re-
quantization and 9th-order noise shaping, for enhanced audio resolution at any setting.
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L3-LL User Manual
1.3 Concepts and Terminology
The Peak Limiting Mixer™
Traditional multiband limiters consist of a given number of limiters operating independently of each
other, each set to a particular frequency range. The key to the L3-LL’s power is its patent-pending
PLMixer™ Peak Limiting Mixer engine, which uses a single peak limiter to control all of its bands.
Dividing the audio spectrum into 5 bands using phase-compensated crossover filters, the PLMixer™
uses psychoacoustic criteria to intelligently decide how much attenuation to apply to each band, using
all available headroom. The PLMixer™ incorporates superimposed Gain and Priority control that allow
the user to set gain and priority (relative limiting) across the audio spectrum, functioning like an EQ
before the L3-LL’s limiting section. The result is that inter-modulation distortion is minimized and overall
loudness is maximized, while retaining the simplicity of a single master threshold control.
Unlike traditional multiband limiters, the PLMixer™ does not require a wide band peak limiter to catch
overshoots generated by individual band adjustments; it automatically controls the gain relationship
between bands while maintaining brickwall limiting.
Gain and Priority
The L3-LL’s Gain curve and Priority control make for a very powerful mastering tool, enabling both
equalization and multiband limiting. The 5-band phase-compensated crossover engine is controlled by
4 frequency cutoff controls.
Separation
The L3-LL phase-compensated crossover allows control over the amount of Separation between its 5
bands. Separation is similar to a filter cutoff slope (or Q) between the bands’ sidechain being fed to the
PLMixer™. At low Separation settings, crossover slopes between bands are moderate, creating more
overlap between the bands. At higher Separation settings, the crossover slopes are steeper, resulting
in less overlap between the bands.
7
A. Frequency bands’
Side-Chain at low
Separation value
B. Frequency bands’
Side-Chain at high
Separation value
A
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L3-LL User Manual
8
L3-LL Release Behavior
The L3-LL offers a wide range of sound qualities which are controlled using the release settings across
its frequency bands.
Like its predecessor the L3, the L3-LL’s band release times are determined by Waves ARC™ Auto
Release Control, which dynamically chooses the optimal release value for a wide range of inputs. The
ARC™ system, like the human ear, analyzes and reacts to RMS and peak transients differently,
resulting in increased RMS level with greater clarity.
While ARC™ is always engaged, the L3-LL Multimaximizer allows independent release controls for
each frequency band along with a global Master Release preset control. For example, a Master
Release preset could consist of relatively fast release values for the low frequency bands, with
gradually slower release values for the higher frequencies. Accordingly, this character would apply
more attenuation to the higher frequency range.
The L3-LL Ultramaximizer has Profiles that contain per band settings for Priority, Release, and
Separation, together with a global Release control that proportionately shortens or lengthens each
band’s release values.
We highly suggest that you experiment with the various Release parameters in order to discover the
wide range of sonic flavors the L3-LL can achieve.
1.4 Components
WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-ins, which we call
components. Having a choice of components for a particular processor gives you the flexibility to
choose a configuration suitable for your material.
The L3-LL has two component processors:
L3-LL Multimaximizer Stereo - A stereo channel processor with individual band control.
L3-LL Multimaximizer Mono – A mono channel processor with individual band control.
L3-LL Ultramaximizer Stereo - A stereo channel processor with global band control.
L3-LL Ultramaximizer Mono – A mono channel processor with global band control.

L3-LL User Manual
Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide
We recommend reading this manual to get the most out of the L3-LL. However, for a quick start to
your audio, follow these steps:
aster
located between the Input and Output meters,
he Attenuation meter.
drag
tions.
8. Process your audio.
setting up the L3-LL on
1. Insert the L3-LL Multimaximizer into your project, preferably as the last processor on the m
buss with no subsequent gain adjustment.
2. Play your audio, selecting a loop with a high RMS level.
3. Select the Threshold/Out Ceiling Link control,
and drag downward while watching t
4. Once the Attenuation meter registers gain reduction, listen carefully and continue to
downward until you hear degradation, distortion, or a reduction in level.
da
5. At this point, stop, and drag upward until the output sound is free of such degra
6. Set the Out Ceiling control to -0.2dBfs.
7. Set the IDR Quantize factor to match your designated medium.
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L3-LL User Manual
10
rface
3.1 Global Limiter Section
Chapter 3 – Controls and Inte
Thi
Th
- Range -30dB to 0dB
- Default 0dB
Threshold is probably the most important control of the L3-LL, as it sets the global limiting threshold as
a reference threshold for the 5 bands. Once set, any signal that goes above the threshold is limited,
and gain is automatically made up by the same factor; i.e., if Threshold is set to -6dB, then automatic
makeup gain will accordingly be 6dB.
The Threshold fader is located on the Input Meter, allowing easy adjustment with reference to input
energy. Below the Input Meter, you will find Waves standard peak indicators. Click the peak indicator
field to reset.
s section consists of controls that globally affect all of the L3-LL’s bands.
reshold/Input Meter
Global Limiter
Section Frequency
Bands
Controls
and Graph
Section
IDR Section

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Range -30dB to 0dB
- Default 0dB
The Out Ceiling fader sets maximum output level, scaling the output signal to reach the out ceiling
value but not exceed it.
The Out Ceiling fader is located on the Output Meter. Below the Output Meter are Waves standard
peak indicators. Click the peak indicator field to reset.
Threshold/Out Ceiling Link
The
ut Ceiling/Output MeterO
-
button lets you adjust the Threshold and the Out Ceiling faders simultaneously, allowing
threshold setting changes while monitoring the limiter effect without its makeup gain action.
Attenuation Meter
he Attenuation Meter displays the overall (wideband) attenuation.
Ultramaximizer Profiles
- Range -30dB to 0dB
T
-Range
Basic Profile
Extreme Analog
Semi Separated
WideBand ARC
WideBand Manual
Cosy & Warm
Lean & Mean
Low Level Loudness
rofile
Loud & Proud
- Default
Basic P
The Profiles drop down menu contains factory settings for the L3-LL Ultramaximizer internal frequency
bands controls. Each Profile contains per band Priority, Release, and Separation settings, otherwise
only available in the L3-Multimaximizer.

L3-LL User Manual
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se Ultramaximizer Relea
- Range x0.1 to x10.0
- Default x1.0
The Release value is a multiplier for the L3-LLUltramximizer’s internal release time constants, as se
the selected Profile. It proportionately shortens or lengt
t by
hens each band’s release values; lower values
sult in shorter release times; higher values result in longer release times.
re

L3-LL User Manual
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.2 Graph Display and Controls Section 3
This section consists of the main display and controls for Separation, Xover, Solo, Gain, Priority,
Release, and Master Release.
Gain and Priority can be adjusted independently, or together, using the Link control. All parameter
settings can be controlled by direct numerical entry into value windows, or by using the graphic display
band markers.
To use these controls effectively, you need some understanding of the L3-LL’s internal logic. Like a
wideband limiter, the L3-LL applies attenuation only when the threshold is exceeded; unlike a wideband
limiter, it does not apply the same amount of attenuation over the whole spectrum. Rather, it applies
more attenuation to bands that contain signals with higher peaks. This creates less inter-modulation
distortion, and retains more detail from the input signal.
Raising a band’s Gain against the limiter’s threshold results in more limiting being applied to that band.
Priority allows you to control the amount of limiting applied to each band. Higher Priority results in less
limiting (in relation to other bands), while lower Priority results in more limiting. Typically, Gain and
Priority controls are adjusted together using the Link control, so that the Priority creates the necessary
headroom for Gain to take place. However, it’s important to note that controlling the Gain and Priority
separately can actually lead to very interesting and widely diverse sonic results.

L3-LL User Manual
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Main Display
The Gain/Frequency graph displays the peak attenuation across the frequency range.
The top purple line is the applied Gain curve.
The orange line is the Dynamic Gain line and shows Gain changes as they happen.
The semi-transparent purple shade displays a smoothed trail of the Dynamic Gain line.
The lower gray line is the Dynamic Gain peak hold which displays the maximum attenuation
across the frequency spectrum.
ers which, when moved left or right, adjust the bands’ width, and when
oved up or down, adjust the linked Gain and Priority.
lick-vertical drag the band markers changes gain and priority
Click-horizontal drag the band markers changes frequency bandwidth
r Y
Double click on any band marker to toggle in or out

The graph also includes 5 mark
m
The graph also has 4 line markers that display and allow adjustment of the crossover frequencies.
C
Control-click (PC)/Command-click (Mac) and drag constrains movement to the X o
axis – vertical drag will lock frequency but allow gain change, and horizontal drag will
lock gain but allow frequency change
Alt-click (PC)/Option-click (Mac) and horizontal drag allows Q adjustment, and
disables the vertical axis while held
Shift-click to select multiple band markers for simultaneous control; shift-click again on
any marker you wish to de-select
Dynamic Gain Line
Momentary Attenuation
Frequency
Band Marker
Peak Attenuation
Hold Curve
Attenuation
Range
Gain
Curve
Crossover
Cutoff Marke
r

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Band Controls
he Band Controls section features controls over the Crossover network which splits the input into
r displaying the
put level.
Se r
- R g
- Defau
g
less overlap between the bands.
Crossove
Just below t
L3-LL. Eac e
Each of the
LOW Range:
O MID Range: 150Hz to 300Hz. Default to 320Hz.
I MID Range: 1000Hz to 5000Hz. Default to 1278Hz.
I Range: 3kHz to 11kHz. Default to 5113Hz.
er Band Solo
Solo the frequency band to adjust the frequency bandwidth. Solo outputs the signal post the crossovers
and pre the dynamic process.
T
Frequency Bands. Each Band has controls for Solo, Gain, Priority, Release, and a Mete
in
pa ation
an e 0 to 100
lt 100
Separation is similar to a filter cutoff slope (or Q) between the bands’ sidechain being fed to the
PLMixer™. At low Separation settings, crossover slopes between bands are moderate, creating more
overlap between the bands. At higher Separation settings, the crossover slopes are steeper, resultin
in
r (Xover) Controls
he graph are the Crossover frequency adjustment controls. There are 4 Crossovers in the
h s ts the cutoff frequencies for the corresponding High Pass and Low Pass filters.
four Crossovers has a unique range of frequencies, as follows:
20Hz to 350Hz. Default to 80Hz.
L
H
W
H
P

L3-LL User Manual
16
2dB
Default 0dB
Gain controls the overall gain of each frequency band. To boost the gain of a given range without over-
limiting it, raise both Priority and Gain.
Gain/Priority Link
The
Gain
- Range -12dB to +1
-
button allows simultaneous control of Gain and Priority, retaining a constant offset between
them.
riority adjusts the relative limiting, or relative attenuation distribution, across the bands. Raising
riority applies less attenuation to the respective bands (in relation to other bands) while maintaining
all limiting; lowering Priority results in more attenuation applied to the respective bands.
ember that Priority settings are RELATIVE between bands. This means that if all
o the same non-zero priority, it has the same effect as setting all priorities to 0.
Priority
- Range -12dB to +12dB
- Default 0dB
P
P
the same over
It’s important to rem
bands are set t
Priority Indicators
- Range -12dB to +12dB
- Default 0dB
The displays the applied priority for the frequency band.
release time can
Per Band Release
- Range 0.1 to 2500.
The per band Release sets the reference Release time for each band. This reference
be further adjusted by the Master Release Behavior type.
Master Release Link
The button allows relative release adjustment for all bands.

L3-LL User Manual
17
r Release
Warm, Scaled, Manual
vior types use a certain amount of ARC, where some are more
daptive and others less, or the amount of ARC is scaled across the bands in different ways.
inal default release behavior type. It is a good overall setting for most material.
arm – Applies more ARC processing to low frequency bands, less on high frequencies.
l – Applies minimal ARC processing. Each band’s release time will correspond to its Release
etting.
Maste
- Range ARC, Aggressive,
- Default ARC
Waves ARC™ Auto Release Control technology optimizes the actual release time in context with the
program. In the L3-LL all Release beha
a
ARC – This is the nom
W
Scaled – Applies more ARC processing to high frequency bands, less on low frequencies..
Aggressive – Delivers most overall loudness on transient-rich material.
anua
M
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L3-LL User Manual
3.3 IDR™Section
uantizQ e
Range 24, 22, 20, 18, 16 bit
- Default 24
The Quantize control sets the target bit depth of the L3-LL output. Quantize is always active, so the
output of the L3-LL will be quantized to a maximum of 24-bits even if you are in a floating point
environment.
Dither
- Range Type 1, Type 2, None
- Default Type 1
Type 1 is “purist” dithering, designed for no modulation noise at low levels. IDR™Type 1 is optimized
for use at every processing stage, allowing for the effects of cascading and subsequent signal
processing. Type 1 is also optimized to generate minimal side effects when used with stereo signals.
Type 2 is designed to minimize the amount of added noise. It delivers a lower noise level than Type 1
at the expense of some low level distortion. Type2 is "auto-muting" with no input signal is present.
Shaping
- Range Normal, Moderate, Ultra, None
- Default Normal
The Shaping control selects the type of noise shaping filter that will be applied to the dither and/or
quantization noise. Noise shaping transfers the noise energy toward the higher, less audible range of
the frequency spectrum. Selecting None leaves the noise unfiltered.
IDR Active Indicator
-
Whenever Dither or Noise Shaping are engaged, the IDR status indicator will be colored red to indicate
activity in the IDR section. When both Type and Shaping are set to None, the IDR logo will turn gray to
indicate that IDR is disengaged. The output is still rounded according to the Quantize bit depth chosen.
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L3-LL User Manual
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WaveSystem
4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar
Chapter 4 – The
All Waves processors feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care of most administrative
functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The features of the WaveSystem
toolbar are the same on practically all Waves processors, so familiarity with its features will be helpful
unctions
performed action. The L3-LL supports multiple undo levels.
Redoes the last undone action
er
Recalls presets from file
ave Saves presets in the Waves file formats
Opens the manual for the processor you are using
ndling
actory Presets are permanent presets in the Load menu. Factory presets cannot be over-written or
ser Presets are your favorite settings of the plug-in saved as a preset in the Load menu, under ‘User
resets’. User Presets can be over-written and deleted.
preset. For example, a single file can contain all the presets for
ou open a Setup File, all its setups become part of your Load pop-up menu for fast
ccess. This can be particularly useful with multiple instances of a plug-in in a single session. By saving
e of
whichever processor you are using.
Toolbar F
Undoes the last
Undo
edo
R
Setup A/B Toggles between two presets. This is useful for close comparison of different paramet
settings
Copy A->B Copies the current settings to the second preset register
oad
L
S
?
4.2 Preset Ha
Preset Types
F
deleted. When applicable, different component plug-ins may have different factory presets.
U
P
Setup Files may contain more than one
a session. When y
a
all the settings you create into a single Setup File, they can all be quickly available for every instanc
that plug-in.

L3-LL User Manual
Loading Presets and Setups
20
Click-and-hold on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four
ections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load pop-up menu.
urrently loaded Setup File and its presets.
Factory Presets: Displays the default Factory Presets.
splays any loaded User Presets.
es
s
Open Preset File… Select to open any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or your own
creations.
‘Filename.xps’: Displays any c
User Presets: Di
Saving Pr ets and Setups
Cli on the Save button to see the Save pop-up menu. Fock-and-hold ur options are available. If an
ption is not currently available it will be grayed out and inaccessible.
Select this to start a new Setup file. There are two prompts - first
for the setup filename, then for the preset name. You must provide
a name for both the setup file and the preset. Click OK (ENTER)
to complete the save. It is a good idea to create a folder in which
ttings. If a
name is displayed.
preset a name. User Presets are stored in the plug-in’s preference
file.
o
Save to New File…
to save several setup files for a project.
Save ‘File Name’ – “Preset Name” Overwrites the settings of the loaded preset (whether a User
Preset or a preset from a Setup File) with the current se
Setup File is currently loaded, the name of the Setup File is
displayed followed by the name of the preset itself. If a User
Preset is loaded, its
Save to ‘File Name’ As… Saves the current settings as a new preset into the Setup file that
is open (if one is not open, the option is grayed out). You will be
prompted to give the preset a name.
Put into Preset Menu As… Save the current settings into a User Preset that will always be in
your Load menu (until deleted). You will be prompted to give this