Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 User Manual

Version 1.03 - 12/2023

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0!

Important Safety Information

⚠️ Do not operate this unit in the presence of rain, liquids, or condensing moisture. Liquid entering the product enclosure presents the risk of electric shock, fire, or permanent failure. Use the unit in a well-ventilated environment. Make sure it is not exposed to high temperatures as it might affect performance.

Use the provided AC/DC adapter only. It will work with a variety of mains voltages and all most popular socket types around the world.

No user-serviceable parts are available inside the unit. Do not remove the top lid, as it will void the warranty. In case of any questions or issues, please contact your seller.

Back Panel Connectors

The rear panel features:

SERIAL NUMBER: [Serial Number Field]
12V DC: Power input.
CE: CE marking.
WARNING! USE DEDICATED AC/DC CONVERTER ONLY: Important power supply warning.
USB LINK: For DAW control and recall.
GROUND LIFT: Switch for ground lift.
MADE IN POLAND: Manufacturing origin.
LEFT / RIGHT:

OUTPUT: Balanced XLR output.
INPUT: Balanced XLR input.
XLR CONNECTOR: Pinout details (1-GND, 2-HOT (+), 3-COLD (-)).

Connections

For optimal audio performance, use balanced XLRs and quality USB cables. The USB link is exclusively for DAW control and recall; it does not stream audio. An XLR connection with AD/DA converters is necessary for audio signal routing.

The unit requires an external power supply and will not function using USB power alone.

Software

For the most recent versions of firmware and DAW plugins, please visit www.bettermaker.com.

Front Panel Overview

The front panel includes:

[On/Standby Button]: Labeled 'MAINS', used for powering the unit on/off.
[Input Level Knob]: Large rotary knob for adjusting input gain.
[Engage Button]: Labeled 'ENGAGE', activates or bypasses the unit's processing (True Bypass).
[Main Touch Screen]: Displays metering, settings, and control interfaces.
[Output Gain Knob]: Large rotary knob for adjusting output gain.
[Function Knob P1]: Programmable knob for various functions.
[Function Knob P2]: Programmable knob for various functions.

*NOTE: Both function knobs (P1, P2) can be pressed to select various functions.

Setup Screen

The touch screen provides access to various settings:

Global Settings: Includes options like 'RMS +3dB correction', 'Peak fall rate [dB/s]' (with selectable values like 24, 12, 6), and 'Main meters' type ('peak' or 'RMS').
Vertical Type: Selects the display style for meters.
Navigation: Use the [INPUT], [OUTPUT], [P1], or [P2] knobs to scroll and select options. A left arrow icon `◀️` returns to the previous screen.
Buttons: [GENERAL SETTINGS], [INPUT METERING], [OUTPUT METERING], [ADJUST BRIGHTNESS], [FIRMWARE UPDATE], [FACTORY RESET].

Firmware Update

Firmware can be updated using a dedicated macOS/Windows application available at www.bettermaker.com. Initiate Firmware Update mode via the Setup screen's gear icon `⚙️` in the Main Menu.

State Memory

The unit features internal non-volatile memory that restores all settings after a power loss. It offers 400 slots for presets and user configurations, independent of DAW plug-in states.

Metering Calibration

You can calibrate the input and output metering independently. Use the [INPUT] and [OUTPUT] knobs to adjust the values displayed below the bar indicators to match your AD/DA or DAW readouts. This calibration is for metering display only and does not affect audio levels or the analog signal path.

Navigation: A left arrow icon `◀️` returns to the previous screen. A refresh icon `?` resets calibration to 0dB.

Basic Screen Layout & Limiter

The main interface provides quick access to Limiter, Sidechain, Clipper, and Color functions. The [P2] knob can also be used for quick access.

[On/Standby Button] `⚙️`: Quick access to Limiter, Sidechain, Clipper, and Color.
[Save settings] `?`: Saves current settings.
[Set all to default state] `?`: Resets all settings to default.
[Enter Main Menu] `☰`: Navigates to the main menu.

The Limiter screen displays:

INPUT LEVEL `↓`: Input signal level.
GAIN REDUCTION `↓`: Amount of gain reduction applied.
LINK INPUT AND OUTPUT GAIN `↓`: For optimal mastering level.
SATURATION AMOUNT `↓`: Amount of saturation.
OUTPUT LEVEL `↓`: Output signal level.
ADJUST STEREO FIELD `↓`: For M/S processing.

Key elements on the Limiter screen include:

INPUT: Current input level (e.g., +3.8 dB).
LINK: Indicates if input and output gains are linked.
OUTPUT: Current output level (e.g., -2.0 dB).
M/S PROCESS: Button to engage Mid/Side processing.
CLIPPER: Section for clipper settings (e.g., 16% threshold, 40 ms attack).
ENABLE CLIPPER: Button to activate the clipper.
IREL: Intelligent Release setting.
ATTACK: Attack time setting (e.g., 5.0 ms).
WIDTH: Stereo width control.
RELEASE: Release time setting (e.g., 115 BPM).

Sidechain Filters

The Sidechain screen allows for detailed filtering:

TAP TOP HALF for FULL SCREEN and METERING OPTIONS: Touch interaction for display modes.
MID-SIDE PROCESSING: Access to M/S related controls.
[SIDECHAIN SCREEN]: Displays the sidechain interface.
[MID BOOST]: Button for mid boost function.
[HPF]: High-pass filter control.
[GR RANGE]: Gain reduction range setting.
[2k], [7k]: Frequency selection for mid boost.
[60 Hz], [5.0 dB]: Example settings for HPF and GR Range.
[SIDECHAIN MID BOOST OPTIONS]: Area for configuring mid boost.
[SET RANGE for GAIN REDUCTION]: Area for setting GR range.

A graphical representation shows frequency response curves.

Saturation & Clip

This section controls the saturation and clipping characteristics of the limiter:

TAP BOTTOM HALF to RESET PEAKS: Touch interaction to reset peak indicators.
ADJUST AUTO MAKE-UP GAIN*: Control for automatic gain makeup.
[Clipper Screen]: Displays saturation and clipping parameters.
SAT: Zener Diode Based Saturation control.
CLIP: Analog Hard Clip control for peak-free output.
TRIM: Adjusts the amount of Saturation and Clip. Recommended to start at 0dB.

Key elements include:

INPUT: Input level (e.g., +2.2 dB).
OUTPUT: Output level (e.g., -2.2 dB).
ENABLE CLIPPER: Button to activate the clipper.
[CLIPPER]: Clipper threshold (e.g., 10% at 1.3 ms).
[TRIM]: Trim control (e.g., 0.0 dB).
[CLIP]: Clipping type selection.

Color Screen

The Color screen allows for adding harmonic content:

APPLY ALL CHANGES TO BOTH CHANNELS: Option to apply settings globally.
SELECTED CHANNEL: Focus on one channel.
LISTEN to SELECTED CHANNEL: Audition selected channel.
[ENABLE COLORS]: Button to activate coloration.
[LINK M/S], [SIDE], [FOCUS]: Mid/Side and focus controls.
ODD A: Coloration type A, generates ODD harmonics.
ODD B: Coloration type B, can generate ODD or EVEN harmonics.
2nd COLOR: Button for second color type.
[DRIVE], [FREQ], [MIX]: Controls for Drive, Frequency, and Mix amount.
AMOUNT OF COLOR added to the MIX: Overall control for coloration intensity.

*NOTE: COLOR A generates ODD harmonics only. COLOR B allows choosing between ODD and EVEN.

DAW Plugin Connection with Hardware

To utilize the Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0's full potential, follow the signal and data flow diagram. The connection with the Mastering Limiter 2.0 plugin should establish automatically. The hardware locks with the software when the USB icon on the menu bar turns blue.

In case of multiple Mastering Limiter 2.0 units connected, select the correct one from the list.

Signal & Data Flow Diagram:

Track in DAW `➡️` IO Plugin `➡️` Bettermaker Plugin
Audio Sound Card `⬇️` Bettermaker Hardware
Digital Audio `↔️` Analog Audio `↔️` USB Communication `?`

Snapshot Explained

Pressing the Snapshot button `?` reveals a new panel. Pressing it again hides it. You can program up to 32 snapshots for the Mastering Limiter 2.0 state, which can be triggered by DAW automation. Use the left `◀️` and right `▶️` arrows to navigate through snapshots. Copy `?` and Paste buttons are helpful for using one snapshot as a starting point for another.

Plugin Interface Overview

The plugin interface provides comprehensive control:

[SETTINGS MENU] `⚙️`
[PRESETS MENU] `?️`
[UNDO/REDO] `↩️`
[SNAPSHOTS] `?` (More details on previous page)
[CONNECTION MENU] `?`

The main display shows:

Default State: Initial settings.
Snapshot: Current snapshot number (e.g., 1).
[Copy] `?`, [Paste], [Reset] `?` buttons.
Main Metering: Input and Output levels, Mid/Side balance.
[ENGAGE] `▶️`: Engage/bypass processing.
[MS]: Mid/Side processing status.
[COLOR] `?`: Color module status.
[LIMITER]: Limiter module status.
[CLIPPER] `✂️`: Clipper module status.
INPUT: Current input level (e.g., +2.3 dB).
LINK: Link status.
OUTPUT: Current output level (e.g., -2.3 dB).
CLIPPER Section: Threshold (75%), Attack (84.4 ms).
WIDTH: Stereo width control.
RELEASE: Release time (150 ms).
SIDECHAIN FILTER: Controls for Mid Boost (2 kHz, 7 kHz), HPF (120 Hz), and GR Range (5.0 dB).
Bettermaker Mastering Limiter v0.9.6

Supported Plugin Formats

AAX Native, AU, VST3

Plugin Modifier Keys

AU: Fine Control (Shift), Set to default (Option).
VST3: Fine Control (Shift), Set to default (Command (Mac), Ctrl (Win)).
AAX: Fine Control (Command (Mac), Ctrl (Win)), Set to default (Option (Mac), Alt (Win)).

Supported Operating Systems

Mac: macOS 10.13 or above, native M1, Intel, or Apple Silicon architecture.
PC: Windows 11 down to Windows 8, x64-compatible CPU.

System Requirements

Display resolution: 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher.
Memory: 2 GB RAM.

Technical Specification

Parameter	Specification
Maximum gain reduction	20 dB
Input adjust range	0..+20dB
Output adjust range	-10..+12dB
Makeup gain	Automatic with trim (-/+8dB range; only available with clipper enabled)
Attack time	0.1 – 250ms (measured at 63% of 10dB GR)
Release time	1ms – 2s (measured at 63% of 10dB GR) + IREL (intelligent release)
Sidechain HPF	Off or 20-200Hz (2nd order)
Sidechain mid boost	Off or 8dB @ 2kHz or 7kHz
Metering ADC range	60dB
Power saving mode	Available
Mid/side mode	Available
True bypass	Available (relays)
Connection	Balanced XLR (audio), USB type B (PC/MAC), 5.5/2.1 center positive 12V only socket
Maximum input level	+24 dBu (balanced with 48kΩ input impedance)
Maximum output level	+27 dBu (balanced with 50Ω + 50Ω output impedance)
Nominal audio level	+4 dBu
Frequency response	6 Hz – 27kHz (-0.5 dB, ISO-R40 sweep)
Frequency flatness	+/- 0.1 dB (20Hz – 20kHz, ISO-R40 sweep)
Dynamic range	107 dB (20kHz bandwidth, +24dBu)
THD+N ratio	0.05 % (20kHz bandwidth, +4dBu, 1kHz)
THD ratio	0.03 % (+4dBu, 1kHz)
CMRR	> 80dB (20Hz – 20kHz, IEC 60268-3)
Crosstalk	> 76dB (20Hz – 20kHz, +18dBu, channel to channel)
AC power consumption	Max 25W (<2W in standby, with included 100-240VAC power adapter)
Enclosure	2U, 230mm deep
Shipping weight and size	5kg, 62x37x21cm

NOTE: All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Detailed Signal Flow Diagram

The audio signal path through the Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 is as follows:

INPUT METERING `?️`
INPUT BUFFER `➡️` MID-SIDE MATRIX I `➡️` COLOR (DRIVE `➡️` VARIABLE FREQUENCY PEAK FILTER `➡️` ODD CLIP `➡️` GAIN) `➡️` VCA `➡️` SELECTABLE ZENER BASED SATURATION `➡️` MID-SIDE MATRIX II `➡️` SELECTABLE SOLID STATE HARD CLIP `➡️` OUTPUT LEVEL `➡️` OUTPUT BUFFER `➡️` OUTPUT METERING `?️`
SIDECHAIN + DSP:

VARIABLE HPF `➡️` 2k/7k BOOST FILTER `➡️` PEAK-RMS DETECTOR `➡️` LEVEL SHIFT `➡️` LPF LEVEL SHIFT
ADC `➡️` 32bit MCU `➡️` DAC

Contact Information

Website: www.bettermaker.com
Facebook: facebook.com/bettermaker
Instagram: instagram.com/bettermakerproaudio
Instagram: instagram.com/addictedtomusicstudios