Master Bus Limiter – Brainworx BX Limiter: My Master Bus Secret Weapon

I’ve used plenty of limiters over the years, but lately, one plugin consistently makes its way onto my master bus—the Brainworx BX Limiter. It might look like just another mastering limiter, but hidden within is a dial labeled “XL,” and it has quietly become one of the most powerful tools in my mixing toolkit.

Here’s why.

Beyond Limiting: Meet the XL Dial

Most mastering limiters are straightforward: they control peaks, boost loudness, and protect against clipping. The BX Limiter checks all those boxes effortlessly, but the real magic lies in its XL Saturation dial—an unobtrusive control that subtly enhances your entire mix.

I think of the XL dial as something more than simple saturation. It’s a binding agent that fills the gaps between individual elements, creating a cohesive, unified soundscape. It adds gentle harmonic content, effectively acting like sonic glue without overly colouring or compressing the mix.

How the XL Dial Transforms Your Mix

When gently dialed in, the XL control doesn’t scream “saturation”; rather, it quietly enhances the depth, body, and cohesiveness of your track. Here’s what you can expect:

• Fuller Sound: Subtly fills the spaces in your mix, creating a richer, more unified sonic experience.

• Harmonic Depth: Adds just enough harmonic content to make elements feel naturally connected and organically vibrant.

• Polished Finish: Provides that elusive, “finished record” sound without compromising dynamics or clarity.

If you’ve used plugins like Machine Head or ToTape7, you’ll recognise a similarity: turning up the Drive parameter on those plugins enhances warmth and cohesion. The BX Limiter achieves a comparable effect, but with master bus-level subtlety—perfect for the final stage of your mixing process.

My Approach to Using the BX Limiter’s XL Dial

Here’s how I typically dial in that subtle enhancement:

• Start at Zero: Begin with your mix sounding good already, without the XL dial engaged.

• Ease It In: Slowly turn up the XL dial, listening carefully as elements within your mix start binding together.

• Aim for Cohesion: Adjust until the sound subtly gels, without sounding obviously processed or flattened.

• Final A/B Check: Regularly bypass and re-engage to ensure you’re enhancing your mix, not overpowering it.

This approach consistently gives me mixes that feel finished and connected—without ever sounding artificial.

More than a Limiter: Why BX Limiter Stays on My Master Bus

The Brainworx BX Limiter may be marketed as a limiter, but for me, it’s become much more. Its XL dial provides a unique, subtle form of harmonic enhancement, giving my tracks professional polish and depth. This often-overlooked feature is the reason BX Limiter has earned permanent residence on my master bus.

If you’ve not tried this hidden gem yet, it’s worth exploring—you might just find your own secret sauce.