2nd opinions? Clipping vs. Limiting

When I first started using GR I thought that a hard limiter in the output stage was a brilliant idea, and that it was a no-brainer to leave the "clipping/limiting" switch set to "limiting". But lately - I'm surprised to say - I've changed my mind.

The limiter on the output stage is a mess IMO, and I'm surprised by this since the dynamics modules elsewhere in GR2 are fine. But the one in the output dips really widely when the threshhold is hit, hangs low too long (and unpredictably) and generally makes a mess of the mix.

On the other hand, if I switch to clipping - obviously I run the risk of distortion - but I can use my ears and I immediately know what to do about it. Plus it seems to increase the amount of usable headroom considerably.

So I'm a convert - I'm taking my chances with hard clipping. What about you guys?

 

Why not just insert one of the limiter modules you appear to like at the end of the chain?

 

That would almost work - except that the limiter would precede the output preset level and master level controls. But you have a point in that there are other options - for instance I am now using a hard limiter plugin (just to be kind to the band) *after* GR2 in Ableton Live, which I use as a host anyway.

I'm more curious as to whether anyone agrees that the limiter built into GR2 for this very purpose is inherently broken? Is anyone else using it? Am I doing something wrong? That sort of thing... Seems to me the output section ought to be expandable with it's own set of advanced controls, esp. for that limiter. (But yes, I've already got a work-around.)