multiband compression love

  • Thread starter Thread starter Terra
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Terra

Scholarly Gentleman
Whats going on everyone?

I was mixing my song "Time" the other day, Abterra's sounds on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free and I just realized how nice multiband compression is on drums. I was trying to tame the sub-low end, and eq was not cutting it (pun intended). I reverted to multiband compression, and clamped down on the low end. I also messed with the attack and release a lot, just to get the kick just right.

feel free to post your thoughts and how you use multiband comp!

Abterra
 
I often use MBC to reduce bass peaks, kick drum hits that stick out, plausive sounds on vocals, etc. Sometimes use it for de-essing as well.
 
jmz93 said:
I often use MBC to reduce bass peaks, kick drum hits that stick out, plausive sounds on vocals, etc. Sometimes use it for de-essing as well.
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+1 for vocals, I find it to be a better de-esser because it doesn't sound nasely when taming the high-end
 
I might use multiband compression to create new sounds from old by manipulating and screwing the sound up, as with an plugin I decide to use for that prupose, but I never use it as any kind of actual tool.
 
One of my toys has a multiband compressor algorhythm in it with some presets with names like "live", "dance", "wide", and so on, but I haven't even got close to knowing how to use it. Is it usually used on an entire mix, or on a track by track basis?

The algorhythm is called "mastering" and it has a noise reduct -> dimension (like a way of faking stereo width) -> multiband comp -> normalizer (turn it up or down) series of effect modules, so I assumed it was a whole mix thing.
 
If you don't know how to use multiband compression, don't sit there and think that you need to. I mean, it's good to be familiar with it, but in the realm of home recording with cheap plugs and inexperience, it probably fucks more shit up than anything.
 
Captain Ego said:
One of my toys has a multiband compressor algorhythm in it with some presets with names like "live", "dance", "wide", and so on, but I haven't even got close to knowing how to use it. Is it usually used on an entire mix, or on a track by track basis?

The algorhythm is called "mastering" and it has a noise reduct -> dimension (like a way of faking stereo width) -> multiband comp -> normalizer (turn it up or down) series of effect modules, so I assumed it was a whole mix thing.
Click to expand...
First, I would NEVER recommend the use of presets for anything other than hearing what *the values* of certain presets sound like for the first hour that you try using a new type of effect. But, yeah, you're right that that specific algorithm looks like a typical (poor) preset attempt at mastering.

But that does not mean that MBCs are used for mastering typically. MBCs are no different than EQ, standard compressors, reverbs, etc.; they are nothing but tools, like chisels or screwdrivers are tools.

When do you use them? They work great in hearing aids. But in the recording studio? The only time I ever found the need for one myself, was when I was working at a DAW that had no decent de-esser (long story), and I wanted to attack a track that had some pretty bad sibilance, and used the MBC to crunch the 6k-8k range on the vocal track. Other than that, I don't think I have ever needed or wanted an MBC for anything.

G.
 
Yeah I've had enough guitar multi-effects to know all about the usefulness of presets, but thanks for the just-in-case warning. I have tried putting a mix through it on the default preset and I heard a noticable change in it sounding a bit more slick and "radio"-ish, like it was coming out of home stereo speakers instead of my flat little monitors but I kind of like my stuff coming out of my monitors to sound like its coming out of flat little monitors, I haven't made my first CD yet (6 songs to go! woo hoo!) but the expectation is that it will sound like it is coming out of home stereo speakers when it comes out of home stereo speakers, not because of some wierd effect I don't understand doing an ambiguous something to it. Sorry if I sound so naive, I'm learning as I'm doing this. I get good advice on here and a nice dose of inspiration to go experimenting around more whenever I get offline - so I think I'll go do that now. Cheers.
 
i quite like Powercores multiband on individual instruments, especially automated on the bass rather than an EQ..but I can just about understand how to use a stereo compressor so no multi's getting strapped across an entire track

Im not sure Id find a need for it if i recorded rock or anything...mind you all this mid and side stuff goes over my head, sidechainings about my limit...maybe in about another 10 years Ill understand it all lol
 
I bet 95% of the best recordings anyone's ever heard didn't have a multi-band compressor within 5 miles of the building.
 
RAMI said:
I bet 95% of the best recordings anyone's ever heard didn't have a multi-band compressor within 5 miles of the building.
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Yep, I'll take a piece of that one, Miles of distance, Miles Davis, Miles Standish, or Miles To Go Before I Sleep ;)

G.
 
Old Chinese proverb: A journey of 1000 miles begins with 1:1 step.

I remember that every time I have old Chinese in the studio...

G.
 
My engineer, some hotshot. Here's his ancient Chinese secret:
calgon_secret-700480.JPG


G.
 
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