FinalPlug is a professional peak limiter/volume maximizer with extensive bit depth truncation and dither options, making it ideally suited for a final mix. Tame the peaks a bit, or really squeeze all the volume you can out of it.

The FinalPlug interface could hardly be simpler. Select a desired output ceiling level, say -0.1 dB, and then adjust the threshold level. As you decrease the threshold you increase the volume.

The peak limiter section works by looking ahead 1.5 milliseconds. When a input peak is detected that will exceed the desired output ceiling, the gain is quickly ducked to let the peak pass, then the gain is restored relatively slowly according to the release time control. During rapidly changing program material with frequent peaks, a faster release time will achieve better results. During slowly changing material, slower release times prevent excessive modulation distortion. FinalPlug’s auto release feature analyzes the input signal to determine peakiness, and selects the optimum release time for the program material.

The truncate/dither section is usually used for CD mastering, where truncation to 16 bits can create audible quantization distortion. By adding special dither noise, the quantization distortion can be eliminated, and the dither noise can be spectrally shaped to move it to frequency ranges where it is less audible. FinalPlug contains a comprehensive noise shaping section which reproduces a variety of commonly used noise shapes.

 Technical Specifications:  

Sonically transparent peak limiting, use as mastering limiter or volume/loudness maximizer
 
Auto release control for greater sonic clarity
 
Bit depth truncation from 4 to 24 bits
 
TPDF dithering
 
Comprehensive noise shaping options, choose between 12 noise shapes
 
Presets for CD and DVD-audio mastering and track compression
 
Latency compensation via compatible hosts
 
Up to 192 kHz sampling rate
 
Mono or stereo

Requirements: 

Macintosh

• OS X 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 or later.

• A host program that supports the AU, MAS, VST, or RTAS plug-in architecture.

• All Mac plug-in formats compatible with Intel-based Macintosh computers (Universal Binary)

Windows

• Windows 2000, XP or Vista.

• A host program that supports the DirectX, VST, or RTAS plug-in architectur