Definition & Overview
An Acoustic Limiter is a specialized electronic circuit integrated into professional simultaneous interpreting consoles (compliant with ISO 20109 and ISO 2603) or patched inline between the soundboard and interpreter headphones. Its primary function is peak clamping: instantly suppressing high-amplitude sound spikes (feedback shrieks, dropped microphones, uncompressed video playback) before they reach the interpreter's ears.
Technical Standards & Operation
- Maximum Peak Level: Sound pressure levels delivered to interpreter headphones must not exceed 85 dBA under any circumstances.
- Attack Time: Sub-millisecond response time (< 1 ms) to clamp fast transient spikes before auditory nerve damage occurs.
- Independent per Channel: Limiters must operate on each headphone output independently, without distorting speech intelligibility during normal volume ranges.
In Cabine: Cabine's AV sound rider generator flags mandatory inline acoustic limiter verification in pre-flight technical checklists sent to venue sound engineers.
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