WShile I am a sound software type of person, IMHO at the beginning and the end of the chain "protection" makes most sense by dedicated hardware to prevent any damage from actually be done in as most siruations as possible: A carefully tuned limiter directly in preceding the power amp to protect the speaker (best a multi amp active box with internal frequency crossover and limiters). A hardware deesser (plus maybe a straight limiter) preceding the A/D converter to prevent digital overload. -Michael