bitflipper


The LP-64 Multiband is meant to be used on the master bus, and generally goes before your mastering limiter to bring up average levels before going in to the limiter.

It is useful for bass-heavy productions such as dance music, where very hot kick levels trigger the compressor causing other instruments to wimp out. Compressing the low frequencies separately from everything else helps avoid that problem.

The LP-64 is a linear-phase effect, which means it introduces a lot of latency and it is pretty CPU-intensive. It should therefore only be used during the mastering process, after raising your buffer sizes. It should not be used as a track effect. If you need a multiband on individual tracks, use the Sonitus Multiband. IMO it is a better compressor anyway, and certainly a much lighter load on your CPU.

A very lucid response

bitflipper


The LP-64 Multiband is meant to be used on the master bus, and generally goes before your mastering limiter to bring up average levels before going in to the limiter.

It is useful for bass-heavy productions such as dance music, where very hot kick levels trigger the compressor causing other instruments to wimp out. Compressing the low frequencies separately from everything else helps avoid that problem.

The LP-64 is a linear-phase effect, which means it introduces a lot of latency and it is pretty CPU-intensive. It should therefore only be used during the mastering process, after raising your buffer sizes. It should not be used as a track effect. If you need a multiband on individual tracks, use the Sonitus Multiband. IMO it is a better compressor anyway, and certainly a much lighter load on your CPU.

So, if you had to pick between the two, which one would you use in the mastering process...Sonitus or LP-64?  OR, do you think neither are suitable for mastering?

amiller

bitflipper


The LP-64 Multiband is meant to be used on the master bus, and generally goes before your mastering limiter to bring up average levels before going in to the limiter.

It is useful for bass-heavy productions such as dance music, where very hot kick levels trigger the compressor causing other instruments to wimp out. Compressing the low frequencies separately from everything else helps avoid that problem.

The LP-64 is a linear-phase effect, which means it introduces a lot of latency and it is pretty CPU-intensive. It should therefore only be used during the mastering process, after raising your buffer sizes. It should not be used as a track effect. If you need a multiband on individual tracks, use the Sonitus Multiband. IMO it is a better compressor anyway, and certainly a much lighter load on your CPU.

So, if you had to pick between the two, which one would you use in the mastering process...Sonitus or LP-64?  OR, do you think neither are suitable for mastering?

Either would be fine, but if you mixed it and find that you need to use multiband compression, you might just need to remix.

I used the tube leveler in place of Boost11 and it produced the same results with a warmer sound and no breathing ! I don't really understand all that it does yet so I was experimenting with settings and letting my ears be the judge but I liked it..Comparing waveforms with Boost against the Tube Leveler there was very little difference. I miss my Ozone though!

10Ten

Either would be fine, but if you mixed it and find that you need to use multiband compression, you might just need to remix.

I also agree with 10ten in this one. imo when you have the need to use a multiband compressor usually it means you have done something wrong in the mix.

in the studio we only use a multiban compressor for bands that have given us already mixed tracks for mastering.

Either one will do the job. Personally, I do not work in any genres that need multiband compression on the master bus, so I use neither. I do sometimes apply multiband compression for remedial treatment of vocal tracks, in which case the Sonitus Multiband does the job nicely.

(That is, until FabFilter decides to make a multiband compressor, at which time I will jump on that one in an instant! But alas, they do not offer one yet, so it's the Sonitus for now.)

Very helpful info guys.  What do you use, when mastering, to pump up the volume?  Also, do you have a mastering EQ plugin preference?

amiller


Very helpful info guys.  What do you use, when mastering, to pump up the volume?

Definately L2 or L3 form waves. The most amazing Limiters ever. I don't personally have those plugs at home but we have them at the studio so I always take my mixes there in order to use the waves. But if I'm in a rush and want to push something fast, I do have an avalon compressor at home, but it's hardware.

I don't tend to use mutiband in mastering unless I have a particular problem to solve. I have found unusual uses for the Sonitus multiband (although I recently picked up the UAD multiband and like it quite a bit). I often use multiband on kick so I can limit/level the low end, and balance it against the beater click. I usually use only two bands to do this, and attenuate the boxiness in the middle with the unused bands. The filters in most multibands are very steep and can be useful in trying to identify mix issues purely as an analytical tool. If you want to know what's happening in the sub bass, or 10K area enable the specific band you're interested in and give a listen.

If you really want volume you need a loud balanced mix. Then I generally use Kjaerhus MPL-1 Pro