Digidesign Announces Maxim(TM) Pro Tools Plug-In

Digidesign® introduces Maxim, an all-new software Plug-In, providing world-class peak limiting and sound level maximizing for Pro Tools TDM and AudioSuite systems. Unlike normal hardware based limiters, Maxim preserves attack transients and intelligently reduces peak gain, instead of clipping peaks, to make limiting more transparent and distortion-free while maintaining dynamic range. Maxim takes advantage of Pro Tools' non-linear-based format by anticipating peaks in the audio file and reducing them without any significant change in the audio's sound characteristics, allowing users to set optimum levels without clipping and resulting in louder overall audio output levels. Maxim is ideal for critical mastering applications, as wall as standard peak-limiting tasks.

Maxim features parameter controls that are similar to those found on a hardware limiter, Including threshold, output calling, release time, gain reduction/attenuation and mix. There are also input and output meters and an intriguing full-color Histogram that plots input peak dB history during playback. A dithering and noise shaping option makes Maxim an Indispensable Plug-In for mixing and masterIng in the Pro Tools environment.

Maxim is compatible with the entire Pro Tools family and requires software version 4.1.1 and higher. The Plug-In will begin shipping August 28, 1998 and will sell for a suggested US retail price of $445.