Print Stage · 2–3 Plugins

Logic Pro Print Before Limiter Chain

This stage replaces the old generic premaster description. It is where Final Mix and Final Mix Parallel meet, and it exists for translation control, metering, and optional final analog tone only.

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Quick Answer

Print Before Limiter should look almost flat. Use one Logic Channel EQ for tiny Mid/Side translation moves, Logic MultiMeter for measurement, and only optional ATR-102 if you want subtle print-stage tape cohesion.

Signal Flow

Approved Chain Order

Final Mix＋
Final Mix Parallel→
Logic Channel EQ→
MultiMeter→
Optional ATR-102→
Limiter Bus

This is not a broad tone-shaping stage anymore. If stronger EQ or correction is needed, move it upstream to tracks, groups, or the separate premasters. The print stage should only improve translation and confirm the summed pre-limiter picture.

Plugin Stack

Approved Print Stage Settings

Logic Channel EQ
Apple · Equalizer
Step 1 — Mid/Side Translation Control

One EQ handles all approved print-stage moves. This is translation control, not mix reshaping.

Approved Moves

Side-only HPF at 120 Hz with 12 dB/oct slope. Side-only high shelf around 10 kHz at about +0.5 dB. Optional Mid-only bell around 250–300 Hz at about -0.5 dB with wide Q.

Logic MultiMeter
Apple · Metering
Step 2 — Measurement

The correct place to meter the summed pre-limiter mix. Check true peak, RMS, LRmax, and correlation here.

Recommended Use

Watch true peak and RMS together, use LRmax to catch channel imbalance, and keep an eye on the correlation meter for stereo sanity before the limiter stage.

UAD Ampex ATR-102
Universal Audio · Tape Machine
Step 3 — Optional Final Analog Tone

Optional only. If used, it belongs here on Print Before Limiter, not on Final Mix and not on the Limiter Bus.

Settings Direction

Keep it subtle. Think final analog density and cohesion, not obvious print-stage coloration.

Stock Alternative

Skip this stage entirely if you do not need it. Print Before Limiter should still work cleanly without extra tape.

System Logic

Why this stage stays almost flat

  • Every approved move here stays around ±1 dB or less.

  • The print stage measures the summed mix before loudness processing, which makes it the right place to judge stereo sanity and pre-limiter balance.

  • If you find yourself doing broad tonal repair here, the actual fix belongs upstream.

Avoid These

Common mistakes

  • Using the print stage like a second mix bus.

  • Pushing broad EQ moves instead of moving the problem back to tracks, groups, or premasters.

  • Measuring only after the limiter instead of checking the summed pre-limiter picture first.