Elixir
by FLUX:: · Limiter · Multichannel true peak limiter
Not rated yet
Elixir is a multistage true peak limiter from FLUX:: built for stereo, surround and Dolby Atmos work, with ITU-R BS.1770 / EBU R128 true peak metering.
It spreads limiting over up to 12 stages to keep the timbre of the material natural, and costs $149.
Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: true-peak, broadcast, mastering, transparent, clean, full mix, bus processing, metering, mix bus, perpetual licence, post-production, resizable UI, simple, single-band, subscription.
What it does
Elixir is FLUX::'s true peak limiter for broadcast, streaming and mastering deliveries. The developer's aim is to keep the "natural timbre of the material" while meeting loudness rules, with a simple interface for quick setup on a deadline.
- Multistage limiting: up to 12 limiting stages share the gain reduction, so transients are handled less harshly than with a single stage.
- True peak output: true peak limiting compliant with ITU-R BS.1770 and EBU R128.
- Core controls: Threshold, Make Up gain, and input and output gain from -12 to +12 dB.
- Multichannel: up to 32 channels, for surround and immersive work including Dolby Atmos.
- Processing: 64-bit float at sample rates up to 384 kHz, with true bypass.
- Presets and morphing: factory, user and global preset banks, true peak presets for YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and Netflix, and a morphing slider between two preset slots that can be automated.
- Interface: a scalable window in six sizes, from 800x600 to 2000x1500.
It is sold as a perpetual license and is also part of the FLUX:: subscriptions; academic users get a discount. A trial is available.
When to use it
Elixir is the better pick for multichannel delivery: it limits Atmos and surround material with true peak compliance and keeps the tone clean. Compared with Pro-L 2, it has one limiting character instead of eight styles and no dither, but it handles up to 32 channels and has delivery presets for streaming and broadcast. It is more transparent and less loud-sounding than the L2 Ultramaximizer, and plays a similar clean role to the Oxford Limiter, with more channels. Its stage count is the main tone control: fewer stages give punchier drums, more stages smooth the transients.
- Best for: transparent true peak limiting for broadcast, post-production, streaming masters and immersive deliveries.
- Genres: any style; mainly a mastering, broadcast and post tool.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a loud, coloured limiter with many styles, dither and a detailed meter display; Pro-L 2 or Ozone 12 Maximizer suit music mastering better.
- Tip: Computer Music used the Diff monitoring button to hear what is being removed when pushing Elixir hard, and fewer stages for punchier drums.
What producers say
Elixir is regarded as a clean, easy, multichannel limiter, though the main published review dates from its first version.
- Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2012, first version) called it "impressively transparent" and "versatile and powerful", praising the adjustable channel linking, true peak limiting and Diff monitoring.
- Criticisms: the same review noted no output dither, high CPU use in the higher resolution mode, and only one limiting type with no saturation or transient options.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $129
- PluginFox: $129
- AudioDeluxe: $129
- FLUX::: $149
Tutorials and reviews
- Flux Elixir Multichannel Limiter Plugin - Features Overview
- Elixir - Multichannel & True Peak Limiter
- TUTO ELIXIR : Using a True Peak Limiter in Mastering
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