UA's original "secret weapon" processor for a professional mastering shine.

The Precision Maximizer for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces is an easy-to-use dynamic impact processor that magically increases perceived loudness, without destroying your track's all-important dynamic range.

For years, the Precision Maximizer has been a go-to for Grammy-winning mastering engineers like Paul Blakemore and project studio engineers looking for a quick polish on a rough mix. By merging Universal Audio's analog/tube know-how and its digital mastering expertise, the Precision Maximizer is an essential tool for every mixer's toolkit.

• Easily maximize mixes and masters while retaining dynamic range
• Add tube-like presence and sizzle to your sources
• Quickly enhance impact, warmth, and energy to mixes and masters
• Tweak the Shape control for extra harmonic content

Precision Maximizer

Signal Flow

The input signal first passes through the Input control, then the Input Meter, before arriving at the Bands divider. After being optionally divided by the Bands parameter, the signal is then split into the dry path and the wet saturation path. The saturation path is processed by the Shape control, then the wet and dry signals are combined with the Mix control. Finally, the mixed signal is processed by the Limit control before being passed to the Output control and Output Meter.

Precision Maximizer Controls

Control knobs for the Precision Maximizer behave the same way as all UAD plug-ins. Input, Shape, Mix, and Output values can be modified with text entry.

Input Meter

The stereo peak Input Meter displays the signal level at the input of the processor, after the Input control.

0 dB represents digital full scale (0 dBFS). Precision Maximizer can utilize input signals up to +6 dB at the input before input clipping occurs.

The displayed range is from -40 dB to +6 dB.

Input

The Input Level knob controls the signal level that is input to the plug-in. Increasing the input will generally result in more processing (depending on the settings of the other parameters).

By increasing the Input knob, input levels higher than 0 dBFS (up to +6 dBFS) within the plug-in can be processed. This can increase the distortion characteristic at the output, particularly when the Limit function is engaged.

The available range is ±12 dB. A good starting point for sonic experimentation is to set the input level so the input peaks occur around 0 dB, then adjust the other controls to taste.

Shape

The Shape knob is the primary saturation control for the Maximizer effect. It contours the harmonic content and apparent dynamic range of the processor by changing the small-signal gain of the saturator. The available range is 0-100%.

At lower settings, apparent loudness is not as dramatic but harmonic processing still occurs, producing a richer sound with minimal reduction of dynamic range. As Shape is increased, the sound becomes more saturated with "sonically pleasing" distortion and perceived loudness, punch, and clarity.

Shape values between 0-50% will make the effect more subtle, but a richer sound is still obtained. Lower Shape values accentuate louder peaks, which can sound great on percussive instruments. Solo instruments can also benefit from lower Shape values by taming the peaks while maintaining dynamic range.

As Shape is increased beyond 50%, presence, excitement, and harmonic coloration can be dramatic, yet still highly musical and without the dynamic squashing of typical limiters.

The most natural warmth and tube-like distortion is obtained with Shape at 50%. This setting generates the lowest amount of higher order harmonics and most closely emulates characteristic tube qualities.

Bands

Precision Maximizer can operate in one-band or three-band mode. In one-band mode, all frequencies are processed equally. In three-band mode, the frequency spectrum is split into three separate bands before maximizing is applied.

One-band mode is the normal setting for general usage. In this mode, more dramatic results can often be obtained because more saturation effect is possible before the output is clipped. At higher levels of distortion, the phase of the harmonics are also better retained in this mode, which usually produces a more desirable sound quality.

Higher levels of perceived loudness may be obtained in three-band mode, especially if the frequency spectrum of the source material is not balanced. In this mode, certain settings can produce higher output levels than input levels (and potential clipping), so it may be necessary to compensate by reducing the input/output levels, and/or engaging the Limit control.

The crossover frequencies in three-band mode are 200 Hz and 2.45 kHz.

Click the Bands button to change the mode. Alternately, you can click+hold the LED area and drag like a slider to change the value.

Note: UAD DSP usage is increased when three-band mode is active (unless UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled).

Limit

The Limit function provides a second stage of soft-saturation just before the output control for the plug-in. It prevents digital "overs" by protecting the plug-in output from exceeding 0 dBFS. Limit enters into clipping range gradually instead of hard-clipping at 0 dB.

The Limit function has the same saturation form as the Shape parameter, but the effect is milder. Limit is especially useful for three-band mode, where output peaks over 0 dB (and clipping) can occur. However, great results can also be obtained in one-band mode when Limit is engaged.

If Limit is used to reduce levels by a significant amount, it is usually best to have Mix set to 100% in order to minimize audio artifacts (aliasing).

Click the Limit button to engage Limit. Alternately, you can click+hold the LED area and drag like a slider to change the value.

Note: UAD DSP usage is slightly decreased when Limit mode is inactive (unless UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled).

Mix

This is a mix control for the plug-in. Mix determines the balance between the original and the processed signal. The range is from 0% (no processing) to 100% (wet, processed signal only).

Note that when Mix is at 0%, the signal is still processed by the Limit control if it is enabled, and by the band splitter when in three-band mode. For a true bypass, the Power switch should be used.

Output

The Output knob controls the signal level that is output from the plug-in. The available range is -12 dB to 0 dB.

Note that when Limit is not engaged, it is possible for the output level to exceed 0 dB. In this case, Output can be lowered to eliminate any associated clipping.

Tip: When Precision Maximizer is used for CD mastering and it is the last processor in the signal chain, the recommended Output value is -0.10 dB

Output Meter

The stereo peak Output Meter displays the signal level at the output of the plug-in. The displayed range is from -40 dB to 0 dB.

The very top segment of the Output Meter is a clip LED (one each for the left and right channels) which illuminates when the signal exceeds 0 dB. The clip segments are held for three seconds before resetting.

Note: The Limit function prevents the output signal from exceeding 0 dB. Therefore, the clip LED's will only illuminate if Limit is off.

Power

The Power switch determines whether the plug-in is active. This is useful for comparing the processed settings to the original signal or bypassing the plug-in to reduce the UAD DSP load (load is not reduced if UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled).

Toggle the switch to change the Power state; the UA logo is illuminated in blue when the plug-in is active.

Note: You can click-hold the power switch then drag it like a slider to quickly compare the enabled/disabled state.

Operating Tips

• As a starting point for general loudness enhancement, set Precision Maximizer to one-band mode with Limit engaged, with Mix at 100% and Shape at 50%. Then set Input so signals peak at around 0 dB on the Input Meters. These settings offer good results under most conditions, producing more presence with a warmer sound and enhanced detail (especially with lower frequencies), while retaining the apparent dynamic range of the original signal.
• The most natural warmth and tube-style distortion can be obtained with Shape at 50% in one-band mode, with Limit off, and signal peaks just touching 0 dB at the input. Shape at 50% delivers the lowest amount of higher order harmonics and most closely emulates a tube characteristic.
• More overdrive may be obtained by disengaging the Limit function. Up to +6 dB of additional headroom is available before clipping occurs when Limit is off. This can cause clipping at the output, so reduce the Input and/or Output control to compensate if necessary.
• Input clipping can dramatically change the distortion characteristic, and may yield significantly different results in one-band versus three-band mode.
• Generally speaking, the input should be set as high as possible before undesirable sound quality is obtained.
• For optimum results (especially when Limit is off) ensure the source signal is not clipped before it arrives at the Precision Maximizer input.
• Output clipping can be completely avoided by enabling Limit.
• One-band mode is generally recommended for program material.
• Set Mix at 100% in order to hear the full affect of the Maximizer process. Reduce Mix when blending in the original signal is desired.
• Changing the order of plug-ins in the signal path can have a dramatic affect on Precision Maximizer results.
• Sonic experimentation is highly encouraged!