Sonnox Oxford Limiter
ActiveOverview
The Sonnox Oxford Limiter is an audio plugin for peak limiting and loudness control in digital audio workstations. It processes audio through pre-gain control, enhancement with overshoot protection, reconstruction metering and compensation, and dithering with noise shaping. Designed for mastering engineers and producers, it supports transparent level control, loudness maximization, and creative effects while conforming to ITU-R BS.1770-4 true peak standards.124
Key Features
- Peak limiting - Provides attack, release, and variable soft-knee controls for limiting peaks.
- Enhance section - Increases perceived loudness and detail while preserving clarity.
- Recon meter - Displays actual signal rather than sampled peaks for accurate metering.
- Auto Comp - Corrects reconstruction errors without losing overall loudness, meeting ITU-R BS.1770-4 standards.
- TPDF dither - Auditions and applies dither for 24-bit and 16-bit outputs with four noise shaping types.
- Noise shaping modes - Four variable-strength modes for dynamic program material.
- Adaptive timing - Uses look-ahead for precise control in transparent or heavy limiting.
- Factory presets - Includes library of presets for various starting points.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Native (AAX, AU, VST) | $243 | Perpetual license for macOS and Windows DAWs. |
| HDX (AAX) | $326 | High-definition DSP version for Avid systems. |
Platforms & Requirements
Runs as a plugin in macOS and Windows DAWs supporting AAX, AU, VST3, and VST formats; HDX version for Avid Pro Tools HDX. Minimum requirements include modern Intel/Apple Silicon processors and compatibility with DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live. No Linux or mobile support; stereo processing recommended over dual mono.24
Integrations & Ecosystem
- AAX (Pro Tools)
- AU (Logic Pro, GarageBand)
- VST3/VST (Cubase, Nuendo, Reaper)
- HDX (Avid DSP hardware)
- 24-bit/16-bit dither export
- ITU-R BS.1770-4 metering
- Sidechain processing
- Preset management in DAWs
Alternatives
| App | Difference |
|---|---|
| FabFilter Pro-L 2 | Offers more modern metering visuals and multiband limiting options. |
| iZotope Ozone Maximizer | Integrated within a full mastering suite with AI-assisted processing. |
| Waves L2 Ultramaximizer | Provides simpler interface with IDR dithering at lower price point. |
| Softube Weiss MM-1 | Emulates high-end hardware limiter with advanced master bus mastering. |
Reputation
The Oxford Limiter is regarded by users for its transparency, Enhance function, and true peak accuracy, often praised in mastering contexts for preserving transients compared to other limiters.7 Some producers note it as a rediscovered tool yielding good results across genres when using presets as starting points.7 Criticisms include higher pricing and less visually intuitive metering than newer competitors.2
Sources (7)
- https://sonnox.com/products/oxford-limiter
- https://pluginfox.com/products/sonnox-oxford-limiter
- https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/9-Limiter/495-Oxford-Limiter
- https://www.hhb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/user_manual_20141103153253_78195.pdf
- https://www.soundpure.com/resources/org.apache.wicket.Application/associatedFiles?id=1875-Sonnox_Oxford_Limiter_Plug_in__Native_-13a936ec5bd-2a.pdf
- https://sonnox.com/categories/plugins
- https://gearspace.com/board/mastering-forum/1272173-sonnox-oxford-limiter-favorite-settings.html