Xilentech has released XMLimiter V2, a free transparent peak limiter plugin for macOS and Windows.
XMLimiter V2 is a clean and simple mastering tool developed by an industry professional who previously worked as an audio engineer for Netflix, Blizzard, and Ubisoft. It appears that he’s now transitioning into plugin development, and I’m excited to see what’s next, as this early release is quite promising.
This is the first plugin from Xilentech that I’ve had the chance to test, and I was positively surprised by the sound. It immediately reminded me of LoudMax (one of my favorite freeware limiters), both in terms of its transparent sound and the minimalist interface.
If you’re into limiters that just get the job done without crowding your screen or coloring your sound too much, this one’s worth a look. It delivers instant results and is super easy to use.
However, XMLimiter is still rough around the edges, and several aspects should be updated for it to be comparable to some of the popular limiters on the market.
The interface features just two controls: Push and Ceiling. Between the two knobs is a dark vertical stripe that resembles a volume or gain reduction meter, but I didn’t get any readouts in my DAW (running the AU version in Studio One on macOS).
The Push knob increases the input gain, pushing your signal toward the limiting threshold, while the Ceiling control lets you set the output ceiling.
What’s interesting is how well the plugin handles transparency. At moderate settings, the limiter effectively preserves transients and stereo width without noticeable artifacts. But if you crank the Push knob hard enough, it does start to saturate and clip, but in a good way.
I found that even at extreme settings, XMLimiter V2 maintained a musical character. This gives it the potential to be used as a creative tool and not only a clinical limiter for mastering.
For example, I liked how it handled the drum bus at extreme settings, as it brings out extra character and grit. I mixed some of this limited signal with the original (and I wish there was a mix knob to make parallel processing easier) to bring back the transients and the final result sounded great.
Version 2 of the plugin introduces an updated GUI with an new background image and knobs. I didn’t get to test the original version, so I can’t say whether the sound engine has changed, but the new interface certainly looks a bit more polished, although nothing to write home about.
Another nice touch is the easy download process. The plugin is hosted on Google Drive. There’s no need to sign up or apply activation codes, just a direct download.
I’d love to see a Mix knob and a working gain reduction meter in a future update. As it stands, XMLimiter V2 is a promising plugin, but it won’t replace my current go-to limiters.
XMLimiter V2 is available in VST3 and AU plugin formats and runs on both Windows and macOS.
Download: XMLimiter V2
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Last Updated on May 29, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
