multiband compressor only for mastering?

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dobro

dobro

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I got the Ultrafunk multiband compressor. I'm assuming it works as well as their regular compressor, which is dead simple to use and which works just fine, near as my jaded ears can tell. Anyway, my question's about the use of multiband compressors generally. I can see how they're wonderfully useful during mastering. But do any of you ever use them on individual tracks with harmonic-rich instruments like guitar or piano?
 
Yes...

I alot of the times with run a multiband on the drums which are summed to a 2 track. I also sometimes will use it if Ive done guitar track poorly and I need to move some frequencies around and control some of the dynamic on just specific things. I believe multiband compression predates the typical view of mastering engineering we are familiar with today.

SoMm
 
The mixer of a band I know (dude is about my age, but is a pro...) uses it live. He brings his own vocal channel which is a midas XL42 pre/EQ, then a bbs multibandcompressor followed by a distressor as end compressor... And it sounded pretty damn good too... Best sound I have heard from a local band ever. Best sound I heard from any hardcoreband too. Damn that guy is good.
 
If you run a multiband hot it will act as a dynamic eq, balancing the freq. content of you source. This effect could be a benefit in some situations or work against you intentions in others.
As long as you are aware of what could happen.... or as long as it adds to your final mix it's ok.
 
I will use the Ultrafunk multiband on soundfonts that need to be modified to sit in the mix or adjusted to get the tone I want. If you EQ these same sounfonts occassionaly radical manipulation of the curve is required and the results don't sound right. I have found that moving the bandwidth and amounts of compression on various frequencies with the Ultrafunk software, produces better results.
 
I just used a soundfont patch on a song the other day - I'll try it out - thanks!
 
High !

I use my triple C in multiband mode as THE standard compressor for voice, drums when mixing. Sometimes a singleband gives a more characteristic sound. But: remember: it takes some time to understand the thang...


aXel
 
Well, okay, when you're working with an electric bass track, which band do you do the most significant work with? The lower end? What about guitar? Vocals?
 
I use the single not the multiband compressor on bass as I generally want to tame transients not affect the tone. I try not to over do this as I want to get as much tonal range to the track as possible. I attack the bass with a roll off above 250Hz and below 75Hz to start and then move this around to fit the mix. Below 75 I generally leave for the Kick Drum. After I am done with everything else I may come back and play with the above 3000Hz area on the bass.

The Multiband is generally used for main bus compression on final mix or mastering so you don't want to overdo the individual track compression unless you are going for a specific overcompressed sound.

On voice, I use 2 options:

1. For dynamic vocals i.e. pop, rock or those soft to loud type songs. I will very slightly compress the vocals externally with an RNC to act as a light limiter. For edge and loudness type vocals. If I had a limiter I would put it here. Once it is tracked I will play around with the multiband or single band whatever seems to work.

2. For ballads and limited emphasis vocals I don't EQ or compress the vocal going in. I try to let the mic and pre be my color crayon. I like to have all the frequencies well represented with the option to dump the low end and adjust highs as needed. I may put a multiband here and play around but generally put in light compression at this point.

On guitar: Here is where I may use more external compression coming in on cleaner guitar sounds. Most overdrive pedals and effects are somewhat self compressing so these will go in without compression. Compression after the fact, salt to taste.

All of the above are starting points. I will break all of these rules if I don't like the sound.
 
Actually there was an excellent article on multi-band compression in last month's Sound on Sound. I appologise if this has already been mentioned and/or you were aware of that already.
 
The problem with using single band compression on bass is that when transients are attenuated, the entire frequency is affected. Since most of the energy is contained in the low frequencies, the attack that gives the bassline its character is often lost (in my opinion). I use a multiband on bass because it allows me to enhance the tonal character of the instrument, while taming low and high frequency transients.

Just my 2 cents.
 
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