Tokyo Dawn TDR Limiter GE

TDR Labs from Tokyo Dawn Records have this amazing limiter for use on various elements of your productions. I recently did a reinstall of my laptop and remembered about this plugin as one of my favourites. This review of TDR Limiter GE shows how versatile I think it is as a producers ally.

This is a review of TDR Limiter GE from Tokyo Dawn Labs. The review covers an overview along with some information about presets and a demo of some of the functionality.

Jump to:

• TDR Limiter GE Overview
• Getting Started
• Notable Features of TDR Limiter GE
• Presets Available
• Alternatives Available to the Tokyo Dawn Limiter
• Who Uses This Plugin?
• Review Summary
• Where To Buy TDR Limiter GE

TDR Limiter GE Overview

The GE version of the TDR range of plugins stand for Gentleman's Edition. In the old world the GE would indicate a paid version of the plugin with further features etc. There would usually be a free edition too but at the time of writing this was not apparent on the site. However it was clear that the demo of this plugin was fully functional and not time limited, so you can experiment as you wish. The demo edition features a true analogue experience, but the only limitation is that automatic recall is blocked.

I really rate the team at Tokyo Down as they understand what producers need and know that the plugin world is all about give an take. They know people will support companies if they provide a good plugin and service. Tokyo Dawn Labs certainly fall in this camp and I am in support of their approach.

Getting Started

The installer for the Tokyo Dawn TDR Limiter GE is an MSI file (on Windows) so was a quick and simple next next next type installation for a 32bit and 64bit VST install. AAX is also available and for Mac there is an AU install option too. You shouldn't have any trouble getting installed.

The plugin then loads into the DAW and features an array of options from a distinctive cleans and crisp TDR familiar interface. Picking the modules you wish to work with is simply a case of selecting the 'Modules' button and the switching on the respective features such as Compressor, High Filter Limiter, Meter etc.

Now it's time to dial in the right amount of effect you wish to enable. Playing around with these settings can greatly increase the perceived loudness of a mix all the time preserving superior musical fidelity, punch, and excitement.

Notable Features of TDR Limiter GE

• Modes of the compressor
• A great help feature
• Stereo Width button

The compressor modes allow you to work with various algorithms offering a variety of sounds for your mix. The 'Mode' button on the compressor module allows switching between 5 modes, including the TDR Nova compression algorithm which means even more value for money! These algorithm features can make great differences to the balance mix and how to compressor behaves - from conventional dynamics to colourful compression.

Help Options

I found the help functionality particularly useful with the TDR Limiter GE. I think most of the TDR range works this way but the help feature is dynamic and allows you to hover over the respective button to learn a little more about the feature along with the alternative options. This makes learning the product more intuitive and less invasive on your time than having to read a manual.

Pumping on the Stereo

There is a little feature which I found an absolute hidden gem on the TDR Limiter which is the Stereo Diff on/off (available on all modules). This button allows you to control whether or not any signal changes apply to the stereo signal alone or the stereo width too. It feels like a mid/side type feature but without the requirement for an extra plugin or DAW route needing to be added and controller. The fact this is able to be split per module too adds a further level of control to the signal output. A nice touch.

Presets Available

While presets are limited (no pun intended) there are a selection of defaults to pick from which cover a variety of situations. These several presets will cover your basic need to show what the plugin can do but really the fun begins when you understand how each part of it works.

TDR Limiter Presets include

• Drum Bus - As the name suggests, this is intended for use on a drum bus but don't let this limit your creativity.
• Raw Maximiser - Hear the demo a little further down the page for more insight.
• Minimal Maximiser
• Advanced Maximiser
• Original Limiter 6
• Maximum Punch - For those pumping dance tracks which really require the ability to cut through the lows.

There are others too, but these give a general idea of what to expect with the plugin.

TDR Limiter Raw Maximiser preset demo

We can hear one of the presets in action here. I added the TRD limiter to a simple track I've been working on. With the plugin disabled you can hear a lower output 'meh' kind of sound. With the plugin enabled on the master bus I was able to push up some of the elements and you can hear the synth pop through when it strikes. As with most of the demonstrations on Audio Blob you may hear more nuances if using mix headphones or listen via studio monitors.

Alternatives Available to the Tokyo Dawn Limiter

There are a lot of limiter plugins to choose from on the market and these include those which are advanced dedicated limiters such as the ML8000 from McDSP and the Fab Filter Pro-L 2 which again is a leading limiter in it's class. Then there are other options which are versatile and cover various parts of a mix, the one that springs to mind for me is the Izotope Ozone 11 mastering plugin or even the Klanghelm range products too.

Who Uses This Plugin?

According to Equipboard.com, this plugin is used by Luca Pretolesi as noted in this post on Equipboard.