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Multi Band Cheat Sheet

This document provides an overview of multiband compression, including what it is, the two main approaches to using it, issues with solely using EQ, go-to settings, and nine easy ways to apply multiband compression. Multiband compression allows compressing specific frequency ranges independently, unlike regular compression which acts on the full signal. It can be used to control dynamics or frequencies, with the main difference being whether makeup gain is applied. The recommended settings are a conservative attack of 20ms, release of 100ms, and a ratio of 2:1 or 10dB range. Multiband compression is presented as an alternative to EQ for issues that vary over a track's duration.

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Pedro Alvarado
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
441 views

Multi Band Cheat Sheet

This document provides an overview of multiband compression, including what it is, the two main approaches to using it, issues with solely using EQ, go-to settings, and nine easy ways to apply multiband compression. Multiband compression allows compressing specific frequency ranges independently, unlike regular compression which acts on the full signal. It can be used to control dynamics or frequencies, with the main difference being whether makeup gain is applied. The recommended settings are a conservative attack of 20ms, release of 100ms, and a ratio of 2:1 or 10dB range. Multiband compression is presented as an alternative to EQ for issues that vary over a track's duration.

Uploaded by

Pedro Alvarado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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 

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○ 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) 

www.musicianonamission.com 

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