Why an RE maximizer/limiter over the M-Class?

[BillyKodak]

I've been getting some very good results with Reason's stock maximizer/limiter. What do any of the REs offer that the M-Class doesn't? Cheers, Kodak.

[DiZo]

more control with ozone

[Benedict]

Hi

M-Class is a good workhorse for sure. I have lately been using Onyx, which while less forgiving has a nice way of coloring the sound - the "tube" thing to some extent I think.

[Ocean of Waves]

I never use limiters on a channel, I simply don't know why I should use them there. In the end of the mastering chain, sure, I'll use one there..

[Last Alternative]

Unless you're talking about mastering, I have read about limiting bass. Vocals too.

[mcatalao]

Ozone has a lot more control, has 4 different modes for limiting algorithms, 6 positions for stereo linking, security margin, speed control, and a dither/finalizing section with a lot of settings.

[michael.jaye]

I cannot give a scientific, detailed answer with specifics, but sometimes when I can't get Ozone to 'pump' nicely enough I'll try the M-Class and it fills the void. 

[Bonkhead]

Sound. I like onyx the best. Even over ozone.

[MDTerps2015]

Sound. I like onyx the best. Even over ozone.

You know they had a big debate over this in Reasontalk about that very comparison. I like Onyx better too because i trialled them both at the same time and for some reason I couldnt hear the squishy-ness or distorting some were talking about. I think Onyx has a warmth to it too. 

[ProfessaKaos]

Onyx (Tube) into Ozone (IRC II) for just a touch of limiting at each stage, good times.

[Karim]

To me The onyx limiter rack extension is far far better than ozone and mc class

[Karim]

+100000

Sound. I like onyx the best. Even over ozone.

[doctecazoid]

While compressor/limiter devices in Reason all do the same thing to a greater or lesser extent, the algorithms and math that each one uses to achieve the effect are not the same from device to device.  It's a classic case of 'there is more than one way to do it.'  As such, each compressor colors the sound in its own unique way.

Once you, as an engineer/sound person, develop the necessary aural/analytical skills necessary to identify the differences between the way each compressor/limiter alters the sound, you can more accurately assess and determine which device to use in a given situation.

I do agree with others in this thread regarding the Onyx.  To my ears, while the M-Class does a reasonably good job of compressing a signal, I find at times that its overall sound character is kind of brittle to my ears.  With the Onyx, the tube setting imparts a smoothness to the signal that I find very appealing.  One caveat however: it's easy to mis-use the Onyx, and it will introduce distortion into the signal if the settings are even just a tad too aggressive.  When this happens, adjust the compression amount and the input/output signal volumes downward and really use your ears to focus on the changes - get the balance right!