Guys,
Here's the FAQ for the Zener.
New in UAD Software v9.0 - Introducing the Chandler Limited Zener Limiter
For the mastering, mixing and recording engineer, who desires the sound of the legendary limiter used to record The Beatles and Pink Floyd, the Chandler Limited Zener Limiter plug-in arrives, equipped with features like M/S processing and parameter linking, the plug-in takes Zener Limiter to a new level of flexibility. The Zener version of the TG12345 has an advantage over the vintage version, since designer Wade Goeke has added many new controls including switchable input impedance for hard or soft driving of the unit, 11-position attack, 21-position release, side chain filtering, and Comp 1, Comp 2, and Limit settings.
Both Chandler Limited's TG-1 and Zener Limiters are highly sought after mastering-grade limiters. The Zener has all the sound quality and vintage vibe of the TG-1 with more usability features and tonal options! The newest version borrows from the RS168 Zener Limiter and TG12345 console strip to make a new fully featured and flexible unit for modern use. It is interesting to note that the TG / Zener Limiter design was originally intended to replace both the Fairchild 660 (Limit Mode) and the Altec 436/RS124 (Comp 1 Mode)!
Key Features
Exacting emulation of this modern classic limiter for mixing and mastering, fully authenticated by Chandler Limited
Based on the vintage EMI TG12345 desk used to record The Beatles and Pink Floyd
Models entire Chandler Limited Zener Limiter electronic path including transformers and circuit nonlinearities
Plug-in-only features include Mid/Side functionality and channel linking
The History Behind the Design of the Zener Limiter
The EMI TG12413 Zener Limiter is the ultimate TG limiter issued in celebration of the 75th birthday of Abbey Road Studios. The Zener Limiter was conceived by Chandler Limited designer Wade Goeke and is based on the vintage EMI circuits used to record The Beatles and Pink Floyd. It continues the tradition of EMI Limiters started in 1954 with the RS114 tube limiter and the 1968 RS168 Zener Limiter. The Zener Limiters were also part of the 1969 TG12345 console channel and the 1974 TG12413. This newest version borrows from the RS168 Zener Limiter and TG12345 console strip to make a new full featured and flexible unit for modern use. The Zener Limiter is being reissued to add features and flexibility to the powerful and vintage sounding TG limiter circuits. Wade has added many new controls including switchable input impedance for hard or soft driving of the unit, 11-position attack, 21-position release, side chain filtering, and Comp 1, Comp 2, and Limit settings. The newest version borrows from the RS168 Zener Limiter and TG12345 console strip to make a new fully featured and flexible unit for modern use. It is interesting to note that the TG Limiter was originally designed to replace both the Fairchild 660 (Limit Mode) and the Altec 436/RS124 (Comp 1 Mode).
FAQ
Q: What makes Zener Limiter different from other limiters?
A: It has it’s unique sound and was used to record The Beatles and Pink Floyd, as well as many other classic recordings at Abbey Road studios. It has a distinct vintage British vibe and a bold, fat character. It offers terrific sound-shaping possibilities for difficult to manage dynamics, allowing the mastering engineer to correct or enhance tracks with a design directly from the EMI heritage.
Q: What benefit does the Zener Limiter provide compared to using the hardware version?
A: Mid/Side functionality and the ability to link channels.
Q: What is special about the Zener Limiter design?
A: Zener Limiter has excellent control of dynamics that will instantly improve any material. All components of the original hardware have been meticulously modeled, including the germanium transistor line amps, program dependency, and non-linearities. The Zener Limiter has been re‑engineered for contemporary use by Wade Goeke, and is made under license by Chandler Limited.
Q: What sources do I use the Zener Limiter plug-in with?
A: It works equally well with mixes and individual tracks of any kind, although it truly excels on the mix-bus for mastering applications. It has the ability to inject ear-pleasing mojo into any music.
Parameters In Use
In Left/Mid Activates or bypasses Zener’s processing of the Left or Mid channel (depending on the position of the Mid/Side Processing button) to facilitate direct comparison of the processed and unprocessed sound.
In Right/Side Activates or bypasses Zener’s processing of the Right or Side channel (depending on the position of the Mid/Side Processing button) to facilitate direct comparison of the processed and unprocessed sound.
Mid/Side Processing Enables MID/SIDE processing. When in Mid/Side mode, the Left channel of the equalizer controls the Mid channel, and Right channel controls the Side channel.
Link Channels Links the left and right channels in stereo mode, and Mid and Side in Mid/ Side mode. When the channels are linked, any adjustments made to one channel will be automatically reflected in the other.
INPUT GAIN - The Zener has selectable input gain and input impedance via the input gain toggle on the top right of the panel. This was added so the Limiter could more easily replicate different versions of the RS168 and TG12413 Limiter. The high gain setting is 12db higher and is similar to the “Vanderlism” setting of the RS168 Zener proto type (please refer to the book “Recording the Beatles” for more). The low gain is closer to the TG12345 console input but is still hotter than the unity gain input of the TG12413 mastering console version. Input impedance is 300 ohm in High and 1200 ohm in Low.
INPUT CONTROL - This is a 21-position gold contact audio taper switch that controls the level going into the compressor/limiter. Simply turn it up to drive the unit into harder limiting.
THD - The THD toggle on the right top of each channel disengages the limiter threshold so that the channel will stop limiting but signal still runs through the entire audio path and sidechain. The effect is a smooth pleasing distortion with a high frequency bump caused by the discrete amplifiers and zener diode limiting circuit. The INPUT switch is used to drive the signal to more or less distortion and is marked in white on the front panel. Interestingly the THD function takes a clean sine wave signal and gradually triangulates it as you increase the input control but importantly does not clip the signal in anyway. It is possible to drive the THD past the 2% marking on the front panel by increasing the signal into the Zener from an outside source.
OUTPUT GAIN - Another 21-position gold contact switch set for +/-10db of gain control in 1db steps. Use this for Gain make up when hard limiting or to drive the second channel into a higher THD range when in THD mode as described above.
COMP/LIMIT - A very important control for tailoring the overall tone of the unit. COMP 1 is a 2:1 ratio with slower time constants that was originally designed by EMI engineers to emulate the Altec 436/RS 124 EMI modified Altec compressors. Limit is much faster and designed to emulate the response curves of the much loved Fairchild 660. COMP 2 is a new setting designed to put you halfway between the two original settings and essentially gives you the compression curve of COMP 1 with faster release times similar to LIMIT.
SIDECHAIN - Sidechain filtering was added to the Zener as part of the effort to make an ultimately flexible TG Limiter. In situations where a TG1 may be too aggressive, the sidechain, combined with other Zener modifications, makes this new TG useable in nearly every situation. With this control you can remove low frequency information feeding the limiting circuit from 30 to 300 Hz. It is VERY effective when you need a more gentle compression or limiting action while maintaining that special TG sound. Excellent for mixes, subgroups, bass, and even hard slamming kick drums!
ATTACK - The attack control combined with the sidechain filter is the heart of the flexibility of the Zener. The RS168 and all TG versions of the limiter had preset attack times until now. You will notice that setting two in white is the original attack time with the remaining being new additions. Since the attack times were generally quite quick, especially in LIMIT mode, most settings are slower. These are extremely effective on drums and bass when combined with sidechain filter.
RELEASE - A special feature of all EMI Limiters from the RS114 tube limiter, RS124/Altec compressor, RS168 Zener prototype, TG12345 console limiter, and TG12413 mastering limiter was that they all shared a special set of six release times. This is a very important part of the EMI and TG sound. The Zener preserves these settings in all their glory but also greatly expands on them adding further to the flexibility and tonal character. The new release control is 21 positions with the original 1-6 release times marked in white with parentheses. New additions are in yellow marked 1-21 and in between the vintage release times. Again it is easy to recall the old school setting of your choice or experiment creatively with the new times. Some people may wish to use the new release times to tune the release to match the tempo of their song or just enjoy the great variety of sounds attainable. Note that the fastest release times in yellow, marked 1 and 2, were mainly chosen for the generally slower acting COMP 1 and 2 modes. When LIMITING very hard on these settings, you may get unpleasing artifacts and it generally is best to switch to the #1 white setting which was the standard fast setting on EMI Limiters.