Clipper 2Loud, Warm & Under Control.
Initial Clipper 2 is our free soft clipper for maximum loudness. Add warmth, catch peaks before they distort, and match levels with the built-in LUFS meter.
Getting loud is easy.Staying clean is hard.
Getting loud without sounding crushed, harsh, or brittle is the hard part. A soft clipper catches peaks before your limiter does.
❌ Just slamming a limiter
- Transients get flattened and drums lose punch.
- Harsh digital clipping when levels jump unexpectedly.
- Hard to keep consistent loudness from section to section.
- No clear visual of what you are actually clipping.
✅ With Clipper 2 in front
- Catch peaks before they ever hit your limiter.
- Add smooth saturation and harmonics instead of ugly distortion.
- Use the LUFS meter to match loudness while A/B-ing settings.
- See the pre/post waveform in the real-time scope as you dial it in.
Everything you need for modern loudness.
Scope, saturation, true peak control, and LUFS metering — without destroying your mix.
Real-Time Scope & True Peak Control
Watch your signal before and after clipping in the high-resolution scope while you dial in gain, threshold, and saturation. Combined with true peak limiting and the integrated LUFS meter, you always know exactly how hard you are hitting your mix.
Input Gain & Threshold
Push into the clipper with Input Gain, then set the Threshold to decide where full saturation starts. The soft knee keeps things smooth instead of crunchy.
Saturation Curve
Fine-tune the curve to boost harmonics and add warmth. Go from subtle glue on the mix bus to aggressive clipping on drums and 808s.
Ceiling & Output Level
Set the Ceiling to keep your peaks locked where you want them. Perfect for hitting streaming-friendly levels or feeding your limiter with a controlled signal.
Integrated LUFS Meter
Get Integrated, Short-Term, Momentary, and Loudness Range readings right inside the plugin — no extra loudness meter needed on the master.
Three quick moves.Loud, punchy, controlled.
Drive the input
Insert Clipper 2 at the end of your drum bus, 808 bus, or mix bus and raise Input Gain until you see the top of the waveform gently shaving off.
Shape the saturation
Adjust Threshold and Saturation until peaks sound controlled but still punchy. Watch the scope and meters while you listen in context.
Match loudness
Use the Ceiling to cap peak levels and the LUFS meter to monitor perceived loudness. Aim for -10 LUFS or louder for competitive levels.
Built for modern loudness workflows.
From trap drums to EDM drops to final masters.
🥁 Drums & 808s
Smash kicks, snares, and 808s into the clipper for extra smack while keeping peaks in check. Great as a final stage on your drum or 808 bus.
🎚 Mix Bus & Mastering
Add a few dB of clean loudness before your limiter. Use the LUFS meter to sit your tracks right where you want them for streaming.
🎸 FX & Sound Design
Push synths, guitars, and FX into saturation for character and edge without losing control. Perfect for aggressive, modern productions.
Hear Clipper 2 in action.
Watch how it shapes peaks, adds harmonics, and keeps loudness under control in a real mix.
Download Clipper 2 free.
Login to your Initial Audio account (or create a free one) to unlock the Mac & Windows installers.
Download the Windows or Mac installer to install, update, or uninstall Initial Clipper 2.
Login to my account to unlock download. Login or SignUp here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clipper 2 really free?
Yes. Clipper 2 is a fully-featured soft clipper plugin you can download and use for free. You only need a free Initial Audio account to access the installers.
Do I need an iLok or dongle?
No iLok or extra hardware is required. Log in to your Initial Audio account, download the installer, and load Clipper 2 in your DAW like any other plugin.
Which DAWs are supported?
Clipper 2 comes as VST3, AU, and AAX — it works in all major hosts on macOS and Windows (FL Studio, Ableton, Logic Pro, Cubase, Studio One, Pro Tools, and more).
Can I use it on the master bus?
Absolutely. Many users place Clipper 2 just before the final limiter to catch peaks and add saturation while keeping true peak levels under control.
Push your mixes louder the smart way.
Download free and add controlled, maximum loudness to any track.
Clipper 2 License
Soft clipper plugin — no purchase required
- Soft clipping with harmonic saturation
- True peak limiting • Real-time waveform scope
- Integrated LUFS metering
- Windows & Mac — VST3, AU, AAX
