Not in general. Specifically...

[clong89]

I feel that the only way to make my recordings sounds decent is to put a multiband compressor on the master. I don't know what the truth is for others. Do peoples recordings sound good even without the multiband? I listen to my recordings raw without the multiband and they sound not so good. I think the main problem is that I am not comfortable with why the multiband works and that I just throw it on anything to make it sound better. I want to know why my songs sound better with it. I have read how they work, but I want to know why and when I should be using them. I need closure.

Clong

 

[Chibi Nappa]

Let me put it this way: In the past 3 years, I've used a multiband once.


Maybe are you confusing louder with better? Set the makeup gain on your multiband to keep the song at the exact same volume whether you turn the multiband on or off. Then toggle back and forth while the song plays: multiband on, multiband off. Without a volume change masking things, you will know for certain if the compressor is helping.

Or...
Are you always working with samples from highly-compressed commercial albums? That is a case where sometimes you have to fall back on multiband compression...but even then it is not "always".

 

[RAMI]

Maybe are you confusing louder with better?

Yup, that's what I was thinking.

Let's put it this way: I'd estimate that at least 95% of all the recordings you've ever heard were NOT made using a multi-band compressor. If, as you say, your mixes only sound good mith a MBC, then your mixes aren't finished yet. They still need work and shouldn't be brought into the mastering phase just yet.

 

[joeym]

I don't see how a Multiband can make mixes sound better if they're not tracked right in the first place. Tackle what you think is wrong in the mix first. Any one of the mastering guys here will tell you that working with a MBC is a tricky and time consuming business. If you don't know how to use it, it'll definitely not make your mixes better.

 

[mattr]

I don't see how a Multiband can make mixes sound better if they're not tracked right in the first place.

Most MBC presets I've come across apply quite heavy compression to all bands, then more makeup gain for the lowest band and the highest band.

Louder + smiley-face-curve = perception of "better".

 

[mixsit]

... I want to know why my songs sound better with it. I have read how they work, but I want to know why and when I should be using them. I need closure.

Clong

Skipping the part of the question how much master compression is 'too much' or not- and whether that is being mistaken for a 'finished sound..
Specifically multiband is a tool allowing you to attack or fix specific frequencies and problems where things are out of balance, sticking out with inappropriate dynamics, and/or tone balance problems.
Now if you don't have access to the mix, that's one thing (even then a good' mix shouldn't generally need multiband.
But these are attributes (or problems) of a mix that isn't finished yet, so..
Back you go then.

 

[Massive Master]

I feel that the only way to make my recordings sounds decent is to put a multiband compressor on the master. I don't know what the truth is for others. Do peoples recordings sound good even without the multiband? I listen to my recordings raw without the multiband and they sound not so good. I think the main problem is that I am not comfortable with why the multiband works and that I just throw it on anything to make it sound better. I want to know why my songs sound better with it. I have read how they work, but I want to know why and when I should be using them. I need closure.

Not trying to sound "old" or "knocking" here, okay...?

This sounds like a typical "newb" / "limited listening experience" thing. The maul-the-band compressor has a certain "wow" factor (not unlike equally useless things like aural exciters and what not) that at first glance seems really cool. But it's usually a dirty band-aid for a much deeper problem.

If your mixes don't sound absolutely spectacular without the maul-the-band, then find out why.

This is where I go on one of my monitoring/room treatment rants also - But I'll save that for the moment.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Skipping the part of the question how much master compression is 'too much' or not- and whether that is being mistaken for a 'finished sound..
Specifically multiband is a tool allowing you to attack or fix specific frequencies and problems where things are out of balance, sticking out with inappropriate dynamics, and/or tone balance problems.
Now if you don't have access to the mix, that's one thing (even then a good' mix shouldn't generally need multiband.
But these are attributes (or problems) of a mix that isn't finished yet, so..
Back you go then.

^^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^^

G.

 

[noisewreck]

Meh,

I say, not only you should use MBC, but you should also automate the crossover points in your DAW, creating nice sweeps. Instant win!

 

[Washburn100]

Actually, a lot of the big producers have started putting a multiband compressor on the master bus during mix. It's something Charles Dye talks a lot about in his columns.

The reasoning is very subble multiband gives a nice glue as you are mixing, probably because its giving a kind of analog tape machine like sound or feel.

I've tried it but either my settings were too gentle or my musicc just sucks too much, but I didn't really notice a difference.

 

[clong89]

Thank you all for the feedback on this common problem. Yes, I have access to the mix and everyone's feedback has inspired me to take a second look at it. What I have realized that once the multiband was off, the highs were not as loud. Simple fix I turned the overhead mics up for the drums. Adjusted EQ on the vocals to sound a little better. I have noticed that my recording technique was fine and the music sounds "real" without the MCB. You see, the MCB was boosting the highs and giving the illusion of sounding better. Thanks once again.