Bit , this thing is not to be used all the time , but it's a **** problem solver , understand first the concept : the ability to master the dynamic at a certain frequency ....
 
An exemple : we all have some complex pads aor synths that fluctuate like crazy (witch make them dificult to sit on a mix) ....the thing is that if you compress or limit the thing you lose all the "Life" in it ....so for exemple you can , like usually compress or limit the low end a that fluctuate like crazy and rumble de kick and bass ....compress a little the mid , master the high and boost them a liitle to add air ....
 
 
What i'm trying to say is that this things is like a complex instruments master !!  voice , pads, the more notes , the more frequency range covered ,the more dynmaic movement : the more you will be pushed to use it ....
 
So don't exepct to use it as often as a 1176 or some ...but 2 or 3 in as session will make the job ...
 
See it like an dynamic EQ or a living EQ , with the time dimension added ..
 
 

Oh, I have no delusions about this being a daily bread 'n butter effect. But I do end up using either a multi-band compressor or a dynamic equalizer in about 50% of my projects, and surprisingly most of the time not as a remedial measure.
 
I'll use them in place of a master bus compressor, with gentle ratios and broad bands, or as a volume leveler for bass or vocals, especially tight vocal harmonies. I'll sometimes use them in place of an equalizer. I've used them for widening, which is why I'm especially excited about Pro-MB's M/S features. I've used a sidechained dynamic EQ to duck instruments against the lead vocal like Space Boy, which improves clarity without sacrificing instrumental energy.
 
And yes, occasionally I use them to cover up mistakes.
 
One thing I've not used them for - so thanks for the suggestion - is leveling pads. I usually avoid thick pads because they're just too cluttery. Maybe dynamic EQ will make me re-think their role.

BitFlipper, my comment may be perceived as heresy in this thread.

You've been demoing Pro MB right?

I know it's powerful and complicated yada yada. If you haven't purchased yet, I'd ask you to at least rebook at Alloy 2, which also has a free trial. I realize you're aware of most stuff out there including iZotope's stuff.

I have Timeless 2 and am glad for that. But as far as EQ and Multiband compression go, I really appreciate the sensible and intuitive interface of Alloy 2 and also its impressive capabilities.

I'd gladly spend for Alloy 2 over Pro MB.

Since you're a piano expert, here's a reminder / teaser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COtVIGrICPU

Lawa,
 
Don't understand the heresy thing. My crude understanding is we're trying to collectively get through the maze.
 
If Alloy slams Pro-MB in your experience, got to try it out and compare (as long as it don't need an I_lok and I can't get a decent warez crack before buying the thing if it does...)
 
Thanks. Will give the demo a spin.
 
John

I've been meaning to take another look at Alloy, which I haven't tried since version 1. Despite being an Ozone fan I'm a little prejudiced against all-in-one processors in general, since I'd probably end up just using the one section I liked best and separate plugins for everything else. But I do hold iZotope in very high regard, every bit the equal to FabFilter in quality.
 
That said, despite the obvious application overlap Alloy and Pro-MB are very different fruit and not direct substitutes for one another. Pro-MB has no exciter, and isn't a conventional compressor. It's a dynamic equalizer (it can also be a multi-band compressor if you want). Dynamic EQ is a small category in the plugin world; I know of only three others.
 
ATM all this is, for me, moot because my computer is currently mute. No demos or tests. No projects. No YouTube, Pandora, video games or Netflix. Funny, 30 years ago my computers were mute and I didn't even notice. Today a computer seems kinda useless without sound.

Bit,
 
All I got is street smarts with windows and sound cards. Probably just displaying my ignorance in face of the obvious. You likely done all this already, but just in case.
 
If my box went dead, would try the various native non-ASIO modes to see if the failure was with my card or something deeper. Don't know what interface you have, but if win direct sound or any of the other non ASIO options gives you a garbled second delay blast out of the speakers, trouble is likely with your card or driver corruption.
 
Reinstalling the card drivers, system restore to a previous time options. Diving into the system hardware manager to see what is there and viable.
 
Powermixer a good tool to get an overview of what is functional on the system.
 
http://www.actualsolution.com/power_mixer/
 
Reserved  to mention on this forum without hell fire damnation and causing aggitation, but Reaper as a diagnostic tool can save a lot of grief and locate problems. Would be worth to download the trial if just for the diagnostic capability. Go through the preferences and audio panel routing to more easily see what is there and more importantly what is not there.
 
http://www.reaper.fm/
 
If you got the computer to boot but audio mute, there is hope. What audio card are you using. Way better minds than mine can probably advise/fix.
 
John
 
 
 
 
 

Pro-Mb looks impressive. From what I can gather from the videos and from comments so far It has the advantage of getting there in a more streamlined way with a straightforward GUI.The ability to hone in on selective areas and make the important changes fast gives it a one up on some of the others IMO. I think I'll try the demo. Thanks for the heads up on FF Pro-MB.
 
I use Alloy 2 on only a small percentage of my projects.I haven't really developed a good workflow with it yet. It always seemed as if I could obtain better results with others faster, but maybe that is my error. I haven't looked deeply enough into it ,or taken the time to get deeper with it. I don't just use pre sets but neither have I looked at all it can do. It is really similar to Ozone only it has a more dedicated set of tools for individual tracks.If I A/B it with alternatives the alternatives usually win.
 
The only downside I can see to Pro-MB is that it would be nice to have the ability to change smaller fractions of bands. None of the others do this either TMO which is probably limited.

John: thanks for allocating a few brain-cycles to my problem! Unfortunately, my problem is definitely hardware. It's the interface itself that doesn't boot, freezing at the start of its power-on cycle. 
 
How I wish now I hadn't sold all my test equipment! My HP o-scope went for a hundred bucks, a dumb deal ranking right up there with the 1965 Rickenbacker 12-string I sold for 4 bills. Not that having test gear would necessarily help, as the interface is largely a software-driven device. I still have a few things to try, but it's looking like the unit is headed for the scrap heap. I sent an email to MOTU support to see if the $100 refurb exchange is still offered for the MKII (they won't do it anymore for the MKI), but there has been no reply. Next up, the dreaded last-ditch support phone call.
 
Starise: not sure what you mean by "smaller fractions of bands", are you talking about the overlap between bands? Pro-MB can actually be quite surgical if that's what you need. With 48dB/oct filters, you can zero in on a single octave, which is usually adequate. As with any multi-band, you could place two instances in series to achieve steeper slopes, but at the risk of audible artifacts. 

Bitflipper- I should download the demo and give it a try.
 
It appeared to me as if the bands were inflexible. I think someone else mentioned the inability to use Pro-MB in 1/3 ,1/6 octave and so forth on another forum. This seemed to me to be a limitation if you wanted to make a surgical adjustment and that the adjustments are too wide in some cases for certain types of material.
 
Never thought to use more than one instance. You have me curious.
 
Good luck with that interface.

If you're looking for something 'Surgical' in the Low-mids and above range why wouldn't something like GlissEQ work?