Lookahead
Definition
A feature in limiters and compressors that allows the processor to "look ahead" in the audio signal by a few milliseconds before applying gain reduction. This enables the processor to respond to transients before they actually arrive, preventing overshoot without introducing audible distortion.
In Simple Terms
A feature that lets a limiter peek a few milliseconds into the future so it can catch sudden loud spikes before they happen. It makes the limiting smoother and more transparent, you hear less of the limiter working.
In Practice
A limiter with 1–2 ms of lookahead on the mastering chain catches sharp transients before they hit the ceiling, resulting in more transparent limiting than a zero-lookahead limiter at the same settings.
Common Confusion
Lookahead introduces an equivalent amount of latency, a 2 ms lookahead delays the output by 2 ms. This is irrelevant for mastering but matters in real-time monitoring contexts.
Sources & Verification
- Giannoulis, D., Massberg, M. & Reiss, J. D.. Digital Dynamic Range Compressor DesignJournal of the Audio Engineering Society, 2012
- Katz, B.. Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science (3rd ed.)Focal Press, 2014
Last verified: 2026-05-05