Limiters are designed to set a maximum output level. Compressors reduce signal levels above a set threshold by a ratio. Limiting is compression with a very high (often infinite) ratio. What is the difference between audio compression and limiting? Dynamic range compression and limiting both work on the same principle of reducing an audio signal’s dynamic range. Understanding the difference between the two will help us choose the proper tools for various tasks in audio mixing.

Compression and limiting are two critically important and somewhat similar processes in the trade of audio engineering.