If you’re self-releasing, here’s a clean, repeatable chain I’ve been using on quick mixes: TDR Nova into Kotelnikov, then Limiter No6, with peaks capped at -1 dBTP and integrated LUFS around -12; it translates well on small club rigs and car stereos. Anyone got a favorite free limiter that keeps guitars thick without washing out cymbals on a 2-bus?
But loudMax is my go-to freebie for this; pair it with Airwindows ADClip7 in front taking 1–2 dB and guitars stay thick while cymbals breathe, like a bouncer before the doorman. Set LoudMax’s output to -1 dBTP and keep gain reduction under about 3 dB to sit around -12 LUFS without splash — link: https://loudmax.blogspot.com/.
I’ve had good luck putting LVC-Audio ClipShifter before Limiter No6 — set it to soft clip and shave 1–2 dB so guitars stay chewy and cymbals don’t smear, then let No6 catch the last half‑dB. Do you mind a tiny bit of clip character on the 2‑bus; it’s free/donationware here: https://www.lvc-audio.com/plugins/clipshifter/.
Sonic Anomaly Unlimited has been the cleanest free 2‑bus limiter for me; crank oversampling, tickle its soft clip before the brickwall, and run a slower release so hats keep their edge. @jtorres’s pre‑clipper idea is solid, but Unlimited’s clip stage keeps the chain simple — like venting steam before the lid rattles. If you stick with No6, enable ISP and ease the HF limiter so it doesn’t nip the top end.
@levi6596 sticking with No6: enable its HF limiter before the peak stage so cymbals get caught there, crank oversampling, and keep the ceiling at -1 dBTP while you hover around -12 LUFS. I also slow the peak section’s release a notch to stop hat smear without thinning guitars — if that’s still not enough, Melda MLimiter (MFreeFXBundle) is a clean free option.
Quick thought: GVST GClip before No6 keeps guitars chunky while hats stay crisp; set its curve a bit gentler and only shave the tallest hits, then let No6’s ISP stage nail your ‘capped at -1 dBTP’ target. At around -12 LUFS, a slightly slower final release in No6 helps avoid the splashy stuff, but keep an ear on the HF limiter so it doesn’t sand off the sheen. GVST GClip - free wave-shaping signal clipper VST plugin — have you tried that order?