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Written by Alan Spicer
- YouTube Certified Expert (Audience Growth, Channel Management, Content Strategy)
- YouTube & Digital Media Consultant (including work with Coin Bureau brands)
- Built repeatable growth systems across multiple channels (including 0→20k in 2 months and 15k→100k in 8 months)
- Recipient of 6× YouTube Silver Play Buttons
My bias: a limiter should be a seatbelt, not the engine. If your limiter is working constantly, something upstream (gain, placement, compression) needs attention.
Limiter Settings for YouTube Voice (UK): Stop Peaks Without Distortion or “Pumping”
A limiter is the last line of defence in your voice chain. It catches sudden loud moments (laughs, emphasis, desk bumps) so they don’t clip and distort.
Used well, a limiter is almost invisible. Used badly, it creates:
- distortion (crackly, crunchy peaks)
- pumping (level swings after loud words)
- flat, squashed voice (everything sounds “pressed”)
This guide shows the safe way to set a limiter for YouTube voice in OBS or in editing — plus the fixes when it starts sounding wrong.
Jump to:
Quick answer / TL;DR ·
Watch the quick demo ·
Related searches ·
60-second decision tree ·
What a limiter actually does ·
Ceiling / threshold (the safe numbers) ·
Where the limiter goes in the chain ·
OBS limiter setup ·
Limiter in editing (Premiere / Resolve / Audition style workflows) ·
Fix distortion, pumping, and “squashed” voice ·
Comparison table ·
What not to do ·
Who this is not for ·
Gear links ·
Related reading ·
FAQs
Quick answer / TL;DR
To stop peaks without distortion: set your input gain so normal speech peaks safely below 0, apply gentle compression first (if needed), then put a limiter at the end as a safety net. Set the limiter ceiling a little below 0 so it catches spikes cleanly. If the limiter is triggering constantly, your gain is too hot or your compression/make-up gain is too aggressive.
Watch the quick demo (from my channel)
Video pick: these help because most “limiter problems” are actually capture and gain problems. Fixing the source makes the limiter almost invisible.
The 60-second decision tree
- Limiter triggers constantly → lower input gain or reduce compressor make-up gain.
- Limiter distortion/crackle → your peaks are too extreme or your input is already clipping before the limiter.
- Voice sounds squashed → limiter is doing the job of a compressor; back off and compress gently earlier.
- Pumping after loud words → limiter release/behaviour is too obvious, or compression is too heavy upstream.
- You still clip even with a limiter → you’re clipping before the limiter (interface/Windows/OBS input) or you’re not limiting the right stage.
What a limiter actually does (plain English)
A limiter is a very fast compressor with a hard ceiling. When your audio tries to go above that ceiling, the limiter pushes it back down.
In a YouTube voice chain, the limiter is there to catch:
- laughs and sudden emphasis
- unexpected spikes (desk bumps, cable knocks)
- the occasional “too loud” moment that would otherwise clip
It’s not meant to be working all the time. If it is, you’ll hear it.
Ceiling / threshold (the safe numbers)
The simplest way to think about it:
- Input gain sets your normal level
- Compression smooths speech (optional, gentle)
- Limiter stops accidents (safety)
Practical target for creators: set your voice so normal speech sits comfortably with headroom, then set the limiter so it only catches true peaks.
And if you want the wider “levels and gain staging” picture, this is the anchor guide:
Where the limiter goes in the chain
Limiter goes at the end. It’s the final safety net.
Typical creator chain (OBS or similar):
- Light noise suppression (only if needed)
- Noise gate (only if needed between sentences)
- Compressor (gentle consistency)
- Limiter (final peak protection)
These two posts connect directly to that chain order:
- Stop background noise between sentences (Noise Gate) (UK)
- Compressor settings for YouTube voice (UK)
OBS limiter setup (simple and safe)
In OBS, the limiter is the safety belt. Set it so it only catches “oops” moments.
Quick setup workflow:
- Record 20–30 seconds of your normal talking voice.
- Add one “excited” sentence (a bit louder than normal).
- Add a laugh or a sharp emphasis moment (your typical spike).
- Turn the limiter on and make sure it only reacts on those spikes.
If the limiter is reacting during normal speech: lower input gain or reduce compression/make-up gain upstream.
Limiter in editing (Premiere / Resolve / Audition style workflows)
Editing limiters are great because you can see and hear what’s happening and dial it in per video.
Best practice:
- Use gentle compression first (so speech is consistent).
- Use a limiter last to catch peaks.
- Listen on headphones to confirm you haven’t introduced distortion.
If you’re currently fighting audible distortion, fix that first:
Fix the common limiter problems
“My limiter sounds distorted / crackly”
- Your audio may already be clipping before the limiter (interface/Windows input/OBS input).
- Your peaks may be too extreme because your input gain is too hot.
- You might be compressing hard then adding too much make-up gain, forcing the limiter to constantly slam.
Fix order: lower input gain → reduce compressor make-up gain → ensure limiter is last.
“My voice sounds squashed”
- The limiter is doing constant work that a compressor should do gently.
- You’re effectively “hard compressing” everything.
Fix: back off the limiter so it only catches peaks. Use gentle compression earlier for consistency.
“I still clip even with a limiter”
- You’re clipping before the limiter stage.
- Or you’re limiting the wrong source (e.g., a different track than the one clipping).
Fix: check gain staging end-to-end and ensure the limiter is on the actual mic source.
“Limiter makes the background swell up and down”
- This is often heavy compression + make-up gain upstream.
- The limiter then reacts to a louder overall signal and the chain “breathes”.
Fix: reduce compression/make-up gain first, then retune the limiter.
Limiter vs compressor vs noise gate (what each one is for)
| Tool | Best for | What it won’t fix |
|---|---|---|
| Limiter | Stopping peaks & preventing accidental clipping | Room noise, echo, or noise under your voice |
| Compressor | Making speech more consistent and comfortable | Bad mic placement or loud environments |
| Noise gate | Reducing noise between sentences | Noise while you’re speaking |
What not to do
- Don’t set a limiter as your main “volume control”. It’s for peaks.
- Don’t crank make-up gain into the limiter. You’ll get pumping and harshness.
- Don’t try to “limit away” a noisy room. That’s a placement/room problem.
- Don’t chase perfect silence and max loudness at the same time. That’s where artefacts creep in.
Who this is not for
- Music mastering workflows (different targets and tools)
- Creators intentionally going for aggressive “radio loud” processing
- Anyone clipping at the input stage and expecting a limiter to undo it
Gear links
Audio pillar:
Supporting posts (internal only):
- Best microphone settings for YouTube (UK)
- Noise gate between sentences (UK)
- Compressor settings for YouTube voice (UK)
- Stop mic clipping & distortion (UK)
- Stop mouth clicks & saliva noise (UK)
- Stop sibilance (UK)
Creator Gear hub:
Amazon UK searches (tagged so the session is credited):
- Amazon UK: closed-back headphones (hear distortion and pumping clearly)
- Amazon UK: audio interfaces (clean gain helps avoid clipping upstream)
- Amazon UK: microphone boom arms (stable distance reduces surprise peaks)
Related reading (internal only)
- Stop mic clipping & distortion (UK)
- Compressor settings for YouTube voice (UK)
- Noise gate between sentences (UK)
- Best microphone settings (UK)
- Mic placement for YouTube (UK)
FAQs (People Also Ask style)
What does a limiter do for YouTube voice?
A limiter stops peaks from going above a ceiling, preventing clipping and distortion during sudden loud moments.
Where should a limiter go in my OBS audio chain?
At the end. Typically after light suppression, noise gate (if used), and compression.
Why does my limiter sound distorted?
Usually because the audio is clipping before the limiter stage, or because the limiter is being hit constantly due to hot gain or too much make-up gain.
What’s the difference between a limiter and a compressor?
A compressor smooths volume over time. A limiter is a fast safety net that clamps peaks to a ceiling.
Why is my limiter always active?
Your input gain is too high or your compression/make-up gain is pushing the level up too much. A limiter should mostly catch occasional peaks.
Can a limiter remove background noise?
No. A limiter controls peaks. Background noise needs placement, room control, or light noise suppression.
Why do I still clip with a limiter on?
You’re likely clipping before the limiter (interface/Windows/OBS input) or limiting the wrong source track.
Does a limiter make audio louder?
It can allow a slightly higher average level if peaks are controlled, but if you push it too hard you’ll get squashing and artefacts.
Should I use a limiter if I’m already compressing?
Yes, gently. Compression smooths speech; the limiter protects against unexpected spikes.
What’s the quickest fix for sudden loud peaks on mic?
Lower your input gain slightly, keep compression gentle, then add a limiter at the end to catch remaining spikes.
