LoudMax is a free limiter (a plug-in that keeps sound from exceeding a set level while raising the overall volume). The developer’s official blog describes it as “freeware”. The controls centre on two sliders, so it is easy to follow even for people touching a limiter for the first time. This page covers how to get it, its features, where it fits and what to note before you download.
Disclosure: this site uses affiliate programs. Whether the plug-in is free, and its features and supported formats, were checked on the maker’s official pages around 2026-10-16. Terms of distribution can change, so please check the official page before you download.
How to get LoudMax
- Open the LoudMax official blog (free).
- From the “Downloads” list, choose the link for your operating system and for a format your DAW (recording and production software) supports (VST2, VST3 or AU), and download it.
- Unzip the downloaded zip file and install following the readme inside. The official blog says the installation instructions are in the readme in the zip, or in the links in the “Tutorials” section of the blog.
- Open your DAW and rescan for plug-ins.
- Load LoudMax at the end of the master track, play your music and move the sliders.
Please always get the files from the links on the official blog. The official blog says you must not redistribute or modify LoudMax without the author’s permission.
What is LoudMax?
The official site describes LoudMax as a “Look-Ahead Brickwall Loudness Maximizer”. “Look-ahead” is a method that reads the sound slightly in advance and lowers the volume before an excessively large peak arrives. “Brickwall” refers to stopping the sound like a wall so that it does not exceed the ceiling you set. The official blog explains that it is built to keep the sound clean and to preserve as much of the original character as possible, even at high compression.
The main uses the official site lists are audio mastering (the final finishing of a song) and an output limiter/maximizer for web radio stations. v1.47 was released on 23 June 2026, and the update note reads “improved transparency of fine dynamics”.
Main features of LoudMax
- Simple controls with two sliders (per the manufacturer): The basics are one slider for the threshold (Threshold: the level from which sound is held down) and one for the output level (Output). There are meters for input, output and gain reduction (the amount the sound was reduced). The gain reduction meter shows a peak-hold mark for the maximum value (the legacy versions of the older releases do not have it).
- Link button (per the manufacturer): A function that ties the output slider to the threshold slider. As you lower the threshold, the output adjusts automatically, so it may be easier to raise loudness while keeping the level down.
- ISP (inter-sample peak detection) (per the manufacturer): In digital audio, true peaks higher than the recorded values can hide between samples. The official blog explains that turning ISP on lets you limit those “true peaks”. It says that turning it on roughly doubles CPU usage and adds 6 samples of latency (the time before sound comes out, delayed).
- Look-ahead time and attack time of 1.25 ms (per the manufacturer): The official blog gives the latency as 1.25 ms as well (plus 6 samples when ISP is on). The release time changes automatically according to the input signal.
- Supported sample rates of 2 kHz to 384 kHz (per the manufacturer): It supports common 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz as well as high-resolution settings.
- Very light CPU load (per the manufacturer): The official blog describes it as “very low CPU usage”.
- Tips on operation (per the manufacturer): Hold the Shift key while moving a slider to make fine adjustments. Click the bottom right of the window to switch the display size between standard and large (if your DAW supports resizing the window).
Who LoudMax is for
- People who want to try a limiter for free first
- People who want to even out volume and loudness at the end of a mix or master
- People who find limiters with many detailed settings difficult
- People who want to avoid clipping (sound breaking up) in audio for video or streaming
- People who want to keep the CPU load down
On the other hand, people who want to fine-tune stereo width, attack and release may find a limiter with more adjustable parameters a better fit. You can also compare features in the related limiter comparison article.
Tips for using LoudMax
- The usual way to use it is to put it at the very end of the master track (after the other plug-ins).
- To start, set the output a little below 0 dB (for example around -1 dB), then lower the threshold little by little and listen to how the volume rises.
- If you lower the threshold too far, the sound can come across as squashed. Moving it a little at a time while watching the meters is the safe way.
- If you plan to export for a streaming service or convert the sample rate (for example 44.1 kHz to 48 kHz), one approach is to turn ISP on and leave some headroom in the output level. The official blog says that, because a meter can still detect an overshoot of about 0.2 dB even with ISP on, if you want to guarantee -1.0 dB, for example, it is a good idea to set the output to -1.2 dB or -1.5 dB.
- Switching ISP on and off changes the latency. The official blog explains that many DAWs apply the compensation for this when you stop and start playback.
Things to know before you download
- Supported operating systems and formats: The official blog says there are VST2.4 and VST3 (Windows and Mac), Audio Unit (Mac), LADSPA (Linux) and Winamp plug-in formats. On Windows, VST2 comes in 32-bit and 64-bit, and VST3 is 64-bit.
- Mac version: The official blog says the AU/VST2/VST3 plug-ins are published by PlugInGuru as a Universal 2 Binary that supports both Intel and Apple Silicon (ARM64). Legacy versions for older Mac OS X are also provided separately.
- Computer requirements: On Windows and Linux, a CPU that supports SSE2 (Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64 or later) is required.
- About AAX: The official download list has no AAX format (for Pro Tools).
- Linux version: The official blog explains that, because of the limits of the LADSPA format, it has a simple window without meters.
- Display of Fader Link: The official blog cautions that in some DAWs the generic control window may not show changes to the output fader. Using the dedicated window is the reliable way.
- As a disclaimer, the official blog states that it is provided “AS IS” and is used at your own risk.
FAQ
Q. Is it really free?
The official blog explains that the plug-in is freeware and not commercial. A donation link is provided for people who wish to support the author. No pointer to a paid version was seen.
Q. Does it colour the sound?
The official blog describes LoudMax as having a “clean, transparent sound” and says it is built to keep the original character without distortion. How it sounds in practice changes with the song and the settings, so please compare it on your own tracks.
Q. Which should I choose, VST2 or VST3?
Choose the format your DAW supports. If your DAW supports both, choosing VST3 is the usual approach. If you are unsure, check the supported formats in your DAW’s manual.
LoudMax is available from the LoudMax official blog (free).
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