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Multiband Compression Techniques Guide

The document is a cheat sheet for multiband compression, explaining its function as a combination of an EQ and compressor that allows for targeted frequency range compression. It outlines two main approaches—controlling dynamics and addressing ugly frequencies—along with the limitations of traditional EQ. Additionally, it provides recommended settings and practical applications for using multiband compression effectively in music production.

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rekhadevi.narendrasingh.djpsdon
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46 views2 pages

Multiband Compression Techniques Guide

The document is a cheat sheet for multiband compression, explaining its function as a combination of an EQ and compressor that allows for targeted frequency range compression. It outlines two main approaches—controlling dynamics and addressing ugly frequencies—along with the limitations of traditional EQ. Additionally, it provides recommended settings and practical applications for using multiband compression effectively in music production.

Uploaded by

rekhadevi.narendrasingh.djpsdon
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MULTIBAND CHEAT SHEET

WHAT IT DOES
● It’s like a combination of an EQ and a compressor
● You can compress specific frequency ranges, rather than compressing the entire
sound
● For example, you can compress everything below 100Hz, and leave everything else
unaffected
● The settings are generally the same as a compressor, and should be approached
in the same way
○ Sometimes you have a ’range’ control instead of a ‘ratio’ control

The 2 key approaches


● There are two main ways to approach multiband compression
○ Like compression - to control dynamics
○ Like EQ - to control ugly frequencies
● The main difference between these two approaches is the use of makeup gain
○ If controlling dynamics, increase the makeup gain to match the volume -
your intention here is to make these frequencies more consistent
■ For example, controlling the low end on the mix buss

[Link]
○ If controlling ugly frequencies, don’t apply makeup gain - your intention
here is to reduce the volume of those frequencies
■ For example, reducing sibilance on a vocal

The problem with EQ


● EQ is static
○ It doesn’t react to the source
○ It isn’t time based
● Removing frequencies with EQ removes them for the entire duration of the track
○ For example, a vocal sounds muddy in the verse, so you cut 200-500Hz, but
when the vocalist goes up a register in the chorus, the voice now sounds
weak and thin
● So, if problems only appear in certain phrases or sections, use multiband
compression instead of EQ
● You could automate an EQ to turn on and off, or automate it in other ways, but
multiband compression is a faster alternative

Go-to settings
● In general, you should be more conservative with your settings for multiband
compression - opt for slow attack and release times and low ratios/ranges
● The following settings are a good starting point in most cases:
○ Threshold: Depends on intention. Lower for dynamic control (constant
compression), higher for frequency control (peak compression).
○ Ratio/Range: 2:1 or 10dB
○ Attack Time: 20ms
○ Release Time: 100ms
○ Makeup Gain: Depends on intention. Level match for dynamic consistency,
or no makeup gain for frequency control.

9 easy ways to use multiband compression


1. Control vocal ugliness
2. Consistent vocal bottom
3. Vocal sidechain on competing instruments
4. Consistent bass or kick bottom
5. Drum ringing
6. Drum cymbals (buss or overheads)
7. String noise
8. Mix buss low end
9. Mix buss energy (compress low mids and high mids independently)

[Link]

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