With the new MB compressor in SONAR Platinum 2016.04, I would like to ask some basic question about Multiband Compression.
 
1. What are some popular uses for it? What is most common?
 
2. What kinds of creative uses are people using it for?
 
3. What kind of problems can it solve that make it the best choice over other tools?
 
4. This may be redundant but, what can it do that nothing else can? Or is it just a case of being more convenient?
 
5. What situations would you reach for this rather than full band compression or a parametric EQ?
 
Thank you,
-Charles

Mostly, I only use it at the mastering stage. But, I also don't do any recording of live acoustic instruments or vocals.
 
This is a really good read; https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug02/articles/multiband.asp
 
As well as this: http://music.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-use-multi-band-compression-in-mixing-and-mastering--audio-1904
 
 
Regards,
Dan
 

I don't use multiband compressors anymore, having replaced them with more-versatile dynamic equalizers.
 
If you set the threshold low and apply a gentle knee, multiband compressors are good for leveling, especially on vocals and bass.
  
It can help mitigate acoustical issues, such as a vocal tracked too close to a wall. Similarly, it helps with inconsistent volume on a bass track, especially if the bass cab is miked.
 
You can use it as a de-esser when the offending sibilance isn't neatly contained within a single band. Along the same lines, it can be used to compensate for proximity effect when a singer has occasionally gotten too close to the mike.
 
I don't use it this way, but many do: glue compression on the master bus, where a multi-band can avoid pumping.

Thank you guys.
 
Any creative uses that haven't been covered?

I bet Mr. Anderton would have something to say on this.

One of my favorite multiband comps is the Waves Linear Phase Multiband. I like the Adaptive Multi Electro Mastering preset, make-up gain set to auto, play the track all the way through and then enter the detected gain numbers from the bottom into the threshold setting. It's like pure magic and tells me a lot about the EQ balance of a mix. I don't remember where I picked this up but I like it.
 
Rocky

I can't think of any "creative" uses, which I take to mean sound-design. Like any compressor, its purpose is primarily corrective, to reduce something offensive. For example, I've used a multiband on a stereo drum mix where the hats were too prominent and I did not have access to the original tracks.

Thanks Dave. Thank you everyone who responded. I will be looking into how I can utilize this tool. Honestly, I have never really used multi-band compression. I guess that is the only thing I have never really explored when it comes to audio engineering and mixing. I look forward to learning something new.

-Charles

You really can use a MB on just about anything since you can choose the band crossovers and even how many bands to use.  I used it on my crappy, uneven bass playing frequently.  Create 3 bands, set crossovers as you see fit, and compress where needed.  I always play way harder higher on the neck, but don't want to compress my smooth low notes.  MB comes in handy for this type of stuff.

Any creative uses that haven't been covered? ...
I bet Mr. Anderton would have something to say on this.

Speculating here.  But first, he might remind you of his QuadraFuzz kit / article from the mid-80's in Guitar Player magazine.  Then he might point you to this Sonar-specific article.  The concept certainly applies to all kinds of 'chaser' effects that follow the crossover points.
 
I built the QF circuit long ago, replaced it with Izotope Trash and other ITB solutions, then consolidated it all back to external hardware with a single device.  Ten split bands with foldback distortion, octaves, and EQ will never be mistaken for a Rat or Big Muff.