RMS Level Limiter - README for Windows / VST3

Thank you for downloading RMS Level Limiter.

RMS Level Limiter is an audio limiter that responds to the average energy of a signal (RMS), rather than relying only on instantaneous peaks.

A conventional peak limiter mainly reacts to short waveform peaks.
RMS Level Limiter monitors the RMS level over a period of time and is designed to control perceived loudness more naturally.

Important:
The Windows version of RMS Level Limiter is provided in 64-bit VST3 format only.
AU, AAX, and 32-bit versions are not included.

It can be used in 64-bit VST3-compatible DAWs such as Ableton Live, Cubase, Studio One, REAPER, and FL Studio.
It cannot be used in DAWs that do not support VST3 or in 32-bit DAWs.


1. Overview

RMS Level Limiter applies RMS-based level control and peak safety control to audio signals in a DAW.

Typical uses:

- Smoothing the average level of a master track
- Stabilizing the level of drum buses, synth buses, and loop material
- Controlling sudden peaks while preserving a natural sense of loudness
- Visually monitoring RMS level, peak level, and gain reduction

RMS Level Limiter is not designed simply to crush peaks aggressively.
Its purpose is to shape perceived loudness by monitoring the average energy of the signal.


2. Main Features

[ RMS-Based Limiting ]

RMS Level Limiter calculates gain reduction from the average energy of the audio over time, rather than from its instantaneous maximum value.

This allows it to respond more naturally to perceived loudness than a limiter that reacts strongly to peaks alone.


[ RMS WINDOW / RMS Detection Time ]

RMS WINDOW sets the averaging time used to calculate the RMS level.
A shorter setting reacts more quickly to level changes, while a longer setting averages small variations for smoother operation.

FAST (50 ms):
Suitable for kick, bass, drums, percussion, and other material where the limiter should respond quickly to attacks and rhythmic changes.
It captures short level changes more readily, but RMS GR may move more strongly depending on the source and settings. Adjust it together with Attack and Release.

MID (300 ms):
A general-purpose averaging time similar to a VU meter.
This is the recommended starting point for vocals, guitars, and typical music material when you want stable control while retaining a natural sense of loudness.

SLOW (600 ms):
Suitable for pads, sustained sounds, synths, mix buses, and masters where small variations should be averaged into smoother overall control.
It responds gradually to long-term loudness density rather than to brief changes.

The default setting is MID (300 ms).
Changing modes does not abruptly reset the RMS detector state. The detector transitions smoothly over a short period to reduce clicks and sudden changes in RMS GR.


[ Peak Safety Control / Safe Level ]

RMS-based processing alone may allow some instantaneous peaks to remain.

RMS Level Limiter therefore provides Safe Level as a separate safety ceiling for peaks.
Safe Level controls peak level independently of the RMS processing.

Important:
RMS GR is the gain reduction applied in response to RMS level.
Safe GR is the gain reduction applied to peaks that exceed Safe Level.

The Safe Level guide line is displayed on the Peak L/R meters, where its relationship to peak level can be seen most clearly.


[ RMS / Peak Meters ]

RMS Level Limiter displays RMS and peak levels separately.

RMS L/R:
Displays the average signal energy of the left and right channels.

Peak L/R:
Displays the instantaneous peak level of the left and right channels.

RMS GR:
Displays the amount of gain reduction produced by the RMS limiter.

Safe GR:
Displays the amount of safety gain reduction applied to peaks above Safe Level.


[ Natural Level Control ]

RMS Level Limiter is intended to shape perceived loudness rather than apply extreme peak crushing.

It is useful for material with an unstable average level, including drums, bass, synths, sample loops, and master outputs.


[ BYPASS ]

Enabling BYPASS disables RMS Level Limiter processing so that you can compare the processed and original signals.

To avoid being misled by loudness differences, compare the bypassed and processed signals at similar listening levels.


3. System Requirements

Supported OS:
Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit)

Supported format:
VST3 (64-bit)

Important:
The Windows version of RMS Level Limiter is provided in VST3 format only.
AU, AAX, and 32-bit versions are not included.

Examples of compatible DAWs:

- Ableton Live
- Cubase
- Studio One
- REAPER
- FL Studio
- Bitwig Studio
- Cakewalk
- Other DAWs that can load 64-bit VST3 plug-ins

Note:
The VST3 plug-in scanning procedure and display category vary by DAW.
Before installation, confirm that your DAW supports 64-bit VST3 plug-ins.


4. Installation

Copy the RMSLevelLimiter.vst3 file from the distributed folder to the following location.

Standard Windows VST3 folder:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

Important:
Copy the supplied RMSLevelLimiter.vst3 file without modifying it.
Do not rename the file or change its .vst3 extension.

Windows may request administrator permission when copying a file into Program Files.

After copying the file, start your DAW or rescan its VST3 plug-ins, then select RMS Level Limiter from the Push and Groove category.


5. If the VST3 Folder Cannot Be Found

Open the folders in File Explorer as follows:

1. Open This PC.
2. Open the drive where Windows is installed, normally C:.
3. Open Program Files.
4. Open Common Files.
5. Open VST3.
6. Copy the RMSLevelLimiter.vst3 file into the folder.

Standard path:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

If the VST3 folder does not exist, create it as needed.
Administrator permission may be required to create a folder inside Program Files.


6. Windows Warnings / Plug-In Not Recognized

Depending on the distributed build, the Windows version of RMS Level Limiter may not be code-signed.

As a result, Windows SmartScreen or other security software may display a warning when the downloaded ZIP file is extracted or the plug-in is copied. Messages may include:

- Windows protected your PC.
- The publisher could not be verified.
- This file came from another computer and might be blocked.
- A confirmation message from security software.

Windows security features may display these warnings for files downloaded from the Internet or files without a digital signature.
If a warning appears, confirm that the distribution source is Push and Groove before continuing.

Check the following:

1. Confirm that the RMSLevelLimiter.vst3 file has been copied to the correct location:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

2. Rescan VST3 plug-ins in your DAW.

3. Confirm that the downloaded ZIP file or plug-in has not been blocked by Windows.

4. Confirm that your DAW is 64-bit and supports VST3 plug-ins.


7. Unblocking a Downloaded File

Windows may attach blocking information to a ZIP file downloaded from the Internet.
When possible, unblock the ZIP file before extracting it.

1. Right-click the downloaded ZIP file.
2. Select Properties.
3. On the General tab, enable Unblock if it is shown near the bottom of the window.
4. Click Apply or OK.
5. Extract the ZIP file and copy RMSLevelLimiter.vst3 into the VST3 folder.

If the file has already been extracted and installed but is not recognized by the DAW, start PowerShell as Administrator and run the appropriate command below if necessary.

If installed in the standard VST3 folder:

Unblock-File -LiteralPath "C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\RMSLevelLimiter.vst3"

If installed in the Zisaku subfolder:

Unblock-File -LiteralPath "C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\Zisaku\RMSLevelLimiter.vst3"

Note: Run these commands only after confirming that the plug-in was obtained from the official distribution source.
Note: Run these commands at your own risk.


8. Rescanning VST3 Plug-Ins

VST3 plug-ins may be cached by Windows or by the DAW.
If RMS Level Limiter does not appear after installation, quit the DAW completely and restart it.

If it still does not appear, use the DAW's plug-in manager to rescan VST3 plug-ins.

Ableton Live:
Open Preferences > Plug-Ins and confirm that Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders is enabled.
Rescan if necessary.

Cubase:
Open VST Plug-in Manager and confirm that RMS Level Limiter is recognized.
Refresh the plug-in information if necessary.

Studio One:
Check Options > Locations > VST Plug-ins, then scan at startup or update the plug-in list.

REAPER:
Open Preferences > Plug-ins > VST and select Re-scan or Clear cache/re-scan.

FL Studio:
Open Plugin Manager and select Find installed plugins.

Bitwig Studio:
Open Settings > Locations > Plug-ins and check the VST3 location and scan status.


9. Basic Usage

RMS Level Limiter is used as an audio effect.
Insert it on an instrument, audio track, bus, or master track.

Basic routing:

Audio Track / Instrument Track / Bus / Master
-> RMS Level Limiter
-> Audio Output

Steps:

1. Insert RMS Level Limiter on an audio track, bus, or master track.
2. Check the RMS and Peak meters.
3. Adjust the amount of RMS limiting.
4. Set Safe Level so that peaks do not exceed the safety ceiling excessively.
5. Watch RMS GR and Safe GR while adjusting the processing to avoid crushing the sound.
6. Use BYPASS to compare the result with the original signal.


10. Recommended Uses

[ Master RMS Control ]

Use RMS Level Limiter to smooth the average level of the master output naturally.
Adjust it so that RMS GR is not continuously applying a large amount of reduction.

Starting point:
Begin with settings that cause RMS GR to respond lightly.


[ Drum Bus Leveling ]

Use it to reduce differences in the average levels of kick, snare, hi-hat, and other drum elements.
Using Safe Level at the same time makes it easier to monitor strong transient peaks.


[ Synth / Loop Control ]

RMS Level Limiter is suitable for smoothing material with large level variations, including synth pads, sequences, and sample loops.


[ Peak Safety Check ]

To monitor sudden peaks at the final output, adjust the processing while watching Peak L/R and Safe GR.
If Safe GR remains high continuously, review the input level and the amount of RMS processing.


11. Usage Notes

[ RMS Normally Reads Lower Than Peak ]

RMS represents average energy and will normally read lower than the Peak level.
This is expected behavior.

Peak represents the instantaneous maximum value, while RMS represents the average perceived level over time.


[ Difference Between RMS and Peak Limiting ]

An RMS limiter can respond naturally to perceived loudness, but separate peak safety control is needed to control instantaneous peaks reliably.

RMS Level Limiter displays RMS GR and Safe GR separately so that processing applied to average level can be distinguished from processing applied to peaks.


[ Avoid Excessive Processing ]

If RMS GR or Safe GR remains high continuously, the sound may become over-compressed, lose attack, or sound distorted.

For natural level control, begin with a small amount of gain reduction.


[ About True Peak ]

Safe Level is designed for peak safety control. Depending on the specifications of the distributed build, however, it may not guarantee complete control of True Peak / inter-sample peaks.

For strict loudness management, such as a streaming master, also check the final output with a dedicated metering tool.


12. Troubleshooting

[ No Sound ]

- Confirm that RMS Level Limiter is inserted on an audio track, bus, or master track.
- Insert it as an audio effect, not in a MIDI-only slot.
- Confirm that the plug-in is not bypassed in either the DAW or the plug-in itself.


[ The Plug-In Does Not Appear in the DAW ]

- Confirm that the RMSLevelLimiter.vst3 file has been copied to the correct VST3 folder.
- Rescan VST3 plug-ins in the DAW.
- Confirm that the downloaded ZIP file or plug-in has not been blocked by Windows.
- Confirm that the DAW is 64-bit and supports VST3.
- Quit the DAW completely and restart it.


[ The Plug-In Does Not Appear in Ableton Live ]

Open Preferences > Plug-Ins and confirm that Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders is enabled.
After enabling it, rescan the plug-ins.


[ The Plug-In Does Not Appear in Cubase ]

Check the status of RMS Level Limiter in VST Plug-in Manager.
If it appears in the blocklist, confirm that it is the correct 64-bit VST3 build, then rescan it.


[ The Plug-In Does Not Appear in REAPER ]

Open Preferences > Plug-ins > VST and select Re-scan.
If it still does not appear, select Clear cache/re-scan.


[ The Plug-In Does Not Appear When Copied to a VST2 Folder ]

RMS Level Limiter is provided in VST3 format only.
It may not be recognized when copied to a VST2 plug-in folder.

The correct standard installation location is:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3


[ The Plug-In Does Not Appear in a 32-Bit DAW ]

The Windows version of RMS Level Limiter is 64-bit only.
It cannot be used in a 32-bit DAW. Use a 64-bit version of your DAW.


[ RMS GR Moves but Safe GR Does Not ]

Safe GR responds only when a peak exceeds Safe Level.
If the peak does not reach Safe Level, Safe GR may remain at zero.

This is expected behavior.


[ Safe GR Moves but RMS GR Barely Moves ]

If only short peaks are high while the average level does not enter the RMS limiter's operating range, Safe GR may respond by itself.

This indicates that the peak safety control is operating normally.


13. License Terms

Copyright:
The copyright in this software belongs to Push and Groove.

Disclaimer:
The developer accepts no responsibility for any direct or indirect damage resulting from use of this software, including hardware malfunction, data loss, or corruption of production or project data.
Use this software entirely at your own risk.

Prohibited actions:
Decompiling, modifying, redistributing, or selling this software without authorization is prohibited.


14. Third-Party Licenses

This software was developed using the following framework and SDK:

iPlug2 Framework:
Licensed under the zlib-like license.

VST3 SDK:
VST is a software interface technology of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

For the complete license terms, refer to the official websites or source-code repositories of the respective developers.


15. Trademarks and Disclaimer

RMS Level Limiter is an independently developed product by Push and Groove.
Microsoft, Windows, Steinberg, VST, VST3, Ableton Live, Cubase, Studio One, REAPER, FL Studio, Bitwig Studio, Cakewalk, and all other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

This software is not an official product, official emulation, or officially affiliated product of any of those companies.


16. Credits

RMS Level Limiter
Developed by Push and Groove

(C) 2026 Push and Groove. All rights reserved.
