IK Multimedia T-RackS Stealth Limiter plug-in: features and spec-based rating

IK Multimedia’s Stealth Limiter is a limiter that reduces the clipping that occurs between samples (intersample peaks). It is simple to operate: you just set the input and the output ceiling, and there are modes that change the character of the processing.

A limiter raises the overall volume of a song while preventing clipping (distortion). You use it at the last stage of finishing a song.

In this article we compare Stealth Limiter with 13 limiter plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Image: from IK Multimedia’s official product image (for press use)

Summary

Among the 13 limiter plug-ins, Stealth Limiter is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 2.8.

Things to keep in mind

• Speed (2 points): you have to decide the settings yourself.

Who it suits: people who want to raise the volume with few knobs while preventing clipping.

Main features of Stealth Limiter

Its own method of following the swells of volume

The manufacturer explains that Stealth Limiter does not use the common approach of looking ahead and pressing down with a fast attack; instead it follows the volume little by little and keeps it under the ceiling. The aim is to raise the volume without the squashed feel of a compressor. It suits finishing where you want to keep the sense of the song’s dynamics.

Protection against intersample peaks

Even if digital sound does not go over 0 dB, it can exceed the ceiling and clip when a player turns it back into sound. Stealth Limiter predicts the waveform when it is turned back into sound and limits so that this clipping almost never occurs. It is a useful function for songs delivered as MP3 or AAC.

Four modes

The standard Tight keeps tone and dynamics most naturally, and Balanced adds a slight sense of compression. Harmonics 1 and 2 add harmonics to give analog-style thickness. The basic operation is two controls: set the volume with the input knob and match the output ceiling knob.

Where it is useful

• Raising the volume of an acoustic song while keeping the sense of dynamics
• Preventing clipping on players in a track for streaming
• Adding analog-style thickness at the finish with the Harmonics modes

Rating by criterion

Raising volume safely: 3 / 5

We check whether it has features that prevent clipping and match the loudness standards of streaming services.

It has a mechanism that predicts the waveform when it is turned back into sound and reduces clipping between samples.

Speed: 2 / 5

We check whether it has features that get you to a good setting quickly (automatic settings, easy-to-read meters and so on).

Simple operation: set the input and the output ceiling.

If “speed” matters most to you, smart:limit and pure:limit (5 points) are a better fit.

Choice of sound character: 3 / 5

We check whether you can choose the character of the sound when raising the volume (keeping the punch, keeping it transparent and so on).

Four modes, Tight, Balanced, Harmonics 1 and Harmonics 2, change the character of the processing.

How we score (Limiter plug-ins)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Raising volume safely	Features that prevent clipping and match the loudness standards of streaming services	True-peak limiting, loudness metering and oversampling are all included	Two of those	One of those	—	Not mentioned on the official page
Speed	How quickly you can reach a good setting	AI analyzes the song and sets everything automatically	—	Presets, or a function for comparing at matched loudness	Standard controls	—
Choice of sound character	The range of ways the limiter can act and shape the sound	Choose from eight or more algorithms	Besides a choice of styles, features that shape loudness feel or attack	A choice of styles	One type	—

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: safely finishing a song at a volume suited to streaming. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Raising volume safely" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

Stealth Limiter system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows 10 or later (64-bit) / Mac (macOS 10.15 or later)
Plug-in formats	Windows: VST3, AAX / Mac: AU, VST3, AAX
Other	An internet connection is needed for activation
Trial	Free to try (TRY FREE)
OBS (streaming)	Does not work as it is (VST3 only). It can be loaded through a bridge plug-in

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other limiter plug-ins

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Read next

• Oxford Limiter: features and rating (rank B)
• Elevate: features and rating (rank B)
• Pro-L 2: features and rating (rank S)
• smart:limit: features and rating (rank S)