How do you use multiband compression for mastering?

Add a multiband to your mix buss (or master fader). Start by setting a single band to somewhere around 0-100Hz and bypass the rest. Adjust the threshold and ratio until around 5dB of compression is applied on most notes or drum hits.

Is multiband compression for mixing or mastering?

Because it is more inconspicuous and subtle than traditional compression, multiband compression can also be a powerful tool to use during mastering. It allows you improve bad mixes that feature a kick that is way too loud, or one with uneven peaky vocals.

What is a good compression ratio for mastering?

Most mastering engineers use high thresholds and low ratios (typically 1.25:1 or 1.5:1 – rarely anything more than 2:1) in order to achieve just 1 or 2 dB of gain reduction.

When should you use multiband compression?

Multiband compression is best used to solve problems on individual tracks. I use it rarely – perhaps in only 1 out of 10 mixes. When I do, it’s typically on vocals, but I’ll occasionally use it on other tracks as well. Maybe an acoustic guitar is too boomy, but only on certain notes.

Do you need multiband compression?

It’s crucial to get your kick and bass correlating with each other. You can control kick and bass relationships with sidechaining and levels. But at a certain point, you may need a multiband compressor to take over. Multiband compression works great at tightening low frequencies, reducing boom, and adding power.

When should I use a multiband compressor?

Multiband compression works great at tightening low frequencies, reducing boom, and adding power. Treating the low-end with a dedicated band also allows you to apply heavy compression without affecting the midrange frequencies, which carry the attack of the sound.

What is the point of multiband compression?

A multiband compressor allows you to split a track into different frequency ranges (called “bands”) and compress them independently. You can choose to compress only a certain part of a track’s frequency spectrum, or apply different flavors of compression to several areas of the spectrum.

How do I set my mastering compressor?

Here are some general guidelines if you want to use compression while mastering:

  1. Start your ratio at 1.25:1 or 1.5:1.
  2. Set your threshold pretty high so that you’re getting 2 dB of gain reduction at most.
  3. Use your ears; if you apply compression and don’t like how it affects your master, don’t hesitate to take it out.

Should you compress the master channel?

Audio compression on the master bus can have a drastic effect on the mix. Therefore subtle compression is better than aggressive compression. Adding a compressor to the master bus after the final mix can upset the balance you’ve already created. It’s best to mix into the compressor.

How do you use a mastering compressor?

How do I compress a master?

How do I set up a multiband compressor?

When setting up your multiband compressor, treat it in the same way as normal compression. Let’s look at how you would set up a regular compressor: For multiband compression, you would use the same system… but for each of the multibands you were using. For more attack and aggression, use a slower attack time.

Should I use multiband compression when Mastering my Mix?

With multiband compression, you certainly can attempt to “save” a mix that has a lot of problems, but as a general rule, it would be more efficient to redo the mix itself rather than trying to save it with compression. For mastering, regardless of the intention, we will use mostly very subtle and gentle settings.

What should the threshold be on a multiband compressor?

In both cases, you should use very moderate ratios and if your multiband compressor has a “knee,” set it somewhere around 10 dB. To tame the kick drum, set your threshold as high as possible and, for consistency, lower it down.

What is the difference between a single band and multiband compressor?

A single band compressor applies dynamic processing to the entire range of frequencies, while a multiband compressor works on individual bands of frequency ranges. In audio mastering, normally the mix is divided into four frequency bands: