• SONAR
  • What is the best Multiband compressor? (p.5)
2013/12/29 11:29:13
gswitz
Remember that also BlueTubes has MB compressor you can demo for free.
This nomad package is on sale through Cakewalk for $300
http://www.nomadfactory.com/products/isp/index.html
on sale here...
http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=30-NFIS3.00-20E
This comes with at least 1 multiband compressor
http://nomadfactory.com/products/ess/
 
I think the FabFilter stuff is amazing. I've only demo'd.
http://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-mb-multiband-compressor-plug-in
 
Melda...
http://www.meldaproduction.com/plugins/product.php?id=MMultiBandDynamics
 
And of course if you are willing for fore-go fast-bounce, you can use hardware. :-)
 
I must say that I find the FabFilter stuff tempting. It does such a good job of accenting what you are hearing with visual feedback. Still, what you hear is the only thing that matters. Sometimes, I think that less visual feedback forces you to your ears which is great practice. I like playing with the BlueTubes plugs for this reason.
 
Don't forget the Blue Cat plugins (not the same as Nomad's BlueTube) that are for sale on the Audio FX tab of the Cakewalk store.
This is a link to the Blue Cat MB Compressor
http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=30-BCM51.00-30E
 
2013/12/29 11:34:52
mettelus
Sanderxpander
CakeAlexS
Well for me PC is very much a love/hate affair for all the obvious reasons that have been debated before. You do make a strongly tempting case with these plugins.... Oh god they are VST3. Now I know how a junkie feels when they need to get a fix... (and boom goes the dynamite).

Haha you sound like me a month or two ago :)
They're really good, but money is money and they'll probably be on sale again or have a better version out next year.


I must admit, the other thing that got me with the iZotope promotion was it filled out my VST3 plug menu more.
2013/12/29 11:44:22
Grivanov
Izotope Ozone 
2013/12/29 11:46:24
Anderton
Guitarpima
Anyone else got tips for use of MBCs?



Got two for you.
 
1. Don't think of it as a dynamics processor. Think of it as a five-band graphic EQ which lets you vary dynamics within a particular frequency range. For example, you can isolate just the bass frequencies and compress them, while applying no dynamics to the midrange and just raising or lowering the level of that band somewhat...while expanding the high frequencies just a teeny bit so they aren't overbearing. Remember, most multiband "compressors" are really multiband dynamics processors, so you can expand as well as compress.
 
2. As crossovers for multiband processing. I described this in my Advanced Workshop video in the section on multiband distortion, but the important point is not to use any compression, e.g., ratio of 1:1.
 
I always start with no dynamics and apply dynamics only where necessary. I rarely use dynamics in all the bands. FYI many "maximizers" are really multiband compressors, they just hide that behind the interface to make it easy for people to squash their mixes The Concrete Limiter is an exception, it's stereo.
2013/12/29 12:51:26
Danny Danzi
Anderton
Guitarpima
Anyone else got tips for use of MBCs?



Got two for you.
 
1. Don't think of it as a dynamics processor. Think of it as a five-band graphic EQ which lets you vary dynamics within a particular frequency range. For example, you can isolate just the bass frequencies and compress them, while applying no dynamics to the midrange and just raising or lowering the level of that band somewhat...while expanding the high frequencies just a teeny bit so they aren't overbearing. Remember, most multi-band "compressors" are really multi-band dynamics processors, so you can expand as well as compress.
 
2. As crossovers for multi-band processing. I described this in my Advanced Workshop video in the section on multi-band distortion, but the important point is not to use any compression, e.g., ratio of 1:1.
 
I always start with no dynamics and apply dynamics only where necessary. I rarely use dynamics in all the bands. FYI many "maximizers" are really multi-band compressors, they just hide that behind the interface to make it easy for people to squash their mixes The Concrete Limiter is an exception, it's stereo.




+1000 and how I use it as well. One of the things guitarists with high gain may experience is "whoomfing". 8 out of 10 times you can curb this with high passing. However, certain notes while chugging will lash out with a "whoomf" type sound. A Multi-band will control this so good, you can actually leave your bass a bit hotter if need be and the whoomfing will be gone. This "whoomf" thing usually happens on A, Bb and B chords that you chug on for metal guitar.
 
Another use....say you have a bass guitar with a low B. And say any time that low B hits in the song, it lashes out louder and makes its presence known a bit more. You can automate there....or you can select the frequency via multi-band, set your threshold to police that frequency on the bass and call it a day.
 
A MB will also do wonders on mastering when you just need to tighten up some low end after you've finalized your eq or if you find a mix has some sub low frequencies that just need to be controlled in spots. The best thing about the MB is you shouldn't have to use much to notice a difference. Lower ratios work really well (2:1 and 4:1) and like Craig mentioned, you don't need to mess with all bands. This is where people using Ozone mess things up. They grab a preset and tweak it until it sounds good not realizing that there are times when you don't have to touch everything to make a difference for the better.
 
To be honest, I don't use them to compress at all. For me, they are a great way to control mixes or instruments that sound good for the majority that may get a bit strange in spots. Set the MB to police any spots that push, and it will control things beautifully without you even knowing it's working. :)
 
-Danny
2013/12/29 13:17:10
Sanderxpander
Another reason to use FF Pro-MB, since it only processes any frequency area if you have created a band there.
2013/12/29 14:09:49
ltb
Sanderxpander
Another reason to use FF Pro-MB, since it only processes any frequency area if you have created a band there.



Absolutely & don't always associate MB for only correcting problematic mixes or tracks.
Along with using upward compression & expansion it can make the dynamics in your tracks move instead of squash.

FF's Pro-MB is very musical & excels overall the other MB's I've used.

It's very transparent ( just like Pro-L) in many cases I now use it to completely replace the more typical comps used on track & instruments w/o the typical MB problems.
2013/12/29 15:23:08
bitflipper
Two good alternatives that haven't been mentioned yet: WaveArts' Multidynamics5 and Meldaproductions' MDynamicEQ.
 
Prior to the release of Pro-MB, the WaveArts product was far and away my favorite multiband. However, it's nearly as expensive as FabFilter's and not as fancy. If you're up for spending that kind of money, Pro-MB is currently top of the heap.
 
For both remedial purposes and volume maximizing, a dynamic equalizer can be more transparent than a multiband compressor while achieving similar results. Meldaproductions' MDynamicEQ and MAutoDynamicEQ are relatively inexpensive, and being side-chainable also offer some interesting creative possibilities with band ducking. MDynamicEQ is currently on sale for $65. MAutoDynamicEQ is $93 but the cheaper version will probably do what you want.
2013/12/29 19:28:48
gustabo
Haven't tried this one but give it a shot, it's free, both 32 and 64 bit.
OTT Multiband Compressor
More info here.
2013/12/31 01:35:45
AJ_0000
I don't know how many of you watch Pensado's Place (I'm assuming many do), but numerous big name guys have named Waves C4 as the best multiband comp on that show. I've never tried it, so I can't give a personal opinion (I'm not big on MB comps, and I shop selectively).
© 2026 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1

Use My Existing Forum Account

Use My Social Media Account