Multiband compression

whats the difference between a multiband compressor and eq , to me they both sound like they do the same thing in a way?

EQ only lifts or lowers selected frequency ranges. It's a good and useful tool to shape a sound by gently taking of the parts of the spectrum you don't need (the low-end, the hi-end, some disturbing little range,...)

Multiband Compression only suppresses the selected frequency ranges when the level in that range goes above a selected threshold and amplifies the whole sound.
Multiband Compression is good to deal with peaks, to boost low levels (don't go mad on this as it ruins dynamics) and to limit the output (to avoid clipping).
I use multiband compression on the master only.

quote:

Originally posted by BattleDrone EQ only lifts or lowers selected frequency ranges. It's a good and useful tool to shape a sound by gently taking of the parts of the spectrum you don't need (the low-end, the hi-end, some disturbing little range,...) Multiband Compression only suppresses the selected frequency ranges when the level in that range goes above a selected threshold and amplifies the whole sound. Multiband Compression is good to deal with peaks, to boost low levels (don't go mad on this as it ruins dynamics) and to limit the output (to avoid clipping). I use multiband compression on the master only.

I leave multiband compression to the mastering master.

Definitely sounds good when you get it right, gives you amazing control of the track if you know what you're doing.

Definately also worth trying to use it on sub busses.

I almost allways use it on my bass sub buss (but busses with pads/soundscapes most of the time also benefit from it). Cause most likely there are running multiple bass sounds at the sound time. It just gives you more flexibility to let your bass sound as one coherent part. Sub bass can be compressed pretty hard to have a consistent sub and you can leave more dynamics in your higher and mid bass sound..

Greets,
Vectrex

I split my basses into LO-MID-HI and threat the 3 mixer busses differently.
No need for multiband compression.
I do compress the life out of the sub to have it more consistent. Typically a sub has a "sweet spot" where it has maximum effect, using different notes will move away from the sweet spot and thus a good phat boost will lift it.
In that case a brickwall helps to get the maximum out without clipping.

Don't underestimate the importance of Multiband Compression.
Current Value uses MC alot and you know the quality of his mixdowns.
I think he is up there when it comes to the cleanest phatest hugest mixdowns on the planet!
He loves the Ableton Multiband if you wanted to know. Infact he loves Ableton fullstop!

I've started to you a MC after he showed me a things. Its great on the master buss for balancing out our mixes and making them phat. The only thing is you have to make sure you don't over do it and place a limiter after it all.

Mastering is indeed a very difficult process to get right and I agree you should probably leave it for the professionals if you're a noob. However this doesn't mean you should not try to do it. Practice makes perfect.

Hope that helps

dauntless

cheers for all the fedback! im gonna give a serious bitta time in getin familiar with this!

I love multiband compression. I use it all the time on drums. I find that it is a great way of getting different drums to gel together better. Something that eq doesn't really do.

It also works well on pads and other fx. You can use it to create tails on certain frequencies of fx and cut other sounds out. Just experiment with it.

quote:

Originally posted by BattleDrone I split my basses into LO-MID-HI and threat the 3 mixer busses differently. No need for multiband compression.

But, eventually they go back to one buss, no? And then multiband compression can glue it together..

Greets,
Vectrex

That would kind of be like using multiband compression twice.

quote:

Originally posted by Zugzwang That would kind of be like using multiband compression twice.

Why not?