Best (digital) multiband compressor

Lagerfeldt · 26th February 2005

What's your take on the best multiband compressor?

I already have the Waves Masters Bundle (or rather the Platinum Bundle), so I already have the phase linear multiband compressor. After more than a year with this compressor, I never liked it, and I'm considering getting another, probably hardware.

I (or anybody else) really don't need more than 2 bands for normal use, though in rare cases the 5 band Waves is handy. I need to tighten up the low end, and control things a bit more before going into the broadband comp. I master a lot of bottom heavy dance music.

I use the Gyraf Gyratec X Vari Mu for broadband compression (usual chain: EQ->Multiband->Vari-Mu->Clipping/Limiting).

GYang · 27th February 2005

Digital multiband comp. outboard that can do the job (but not always preffered) are DBX Quantum II or TC Electr Finalizer 96.
No doubt for me, that with Weiss DS1 MKII, although not cheap, fantastic results are achievable.

GYang

Darius van H · 27th February 2005

Another one I'd be interested to check out is the Aphex 2020 MkIII ....

.......the main difference between it and the Finalizer/TC/Drawmer boxes is that it does its processing analog.

BrianBrian · 27th February 2005

If you are looking for software, try Voxengo Soniformer. It has 32 bands but it doesn't sound like a traditional multiband. You only need to specify attack/release/ratio/threshold,etc for as many or as few bands as you want, and the rest is interpolated internally. It is a very powerful and good sounding compressor for hardly any money. I think it sounds more natural than the Waves multibands.

Leo Goler · 27th February 2005

The Weiss unit is f****n' great. Just pure transparent compression.

bloodstone · 27th February 2005

I still like the Waves C4 a lot. I prefer it set to Opto and I tend to adjust the thresholds on the bands quite a bit, usually closer to 0 db than the preset. I also have to slide the bands around to find the sweet spots. I'm not sure the exact name, but the Phase linear? multi that's in the Diamond bundle is pretty impressive. I also think for certain mixes the L3 with the multiband can work well if you don't abuse it. From my experience, any of the above is far superior to the multiband that comes with Wavelab.

Bob Olhsson · 27th February 2005

Because the Weiss isn't a multiband!

26th February 2005	#1
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 4,770 Thread Starter	Best (digital) multiband compressor What's your take on the best multiband compressor? I already have the Waves Masters Bundle (or rather the Platinum Bundle), so I already have the phase linear multiband compressor. After more than a year with this compressor, I never liked it, and I'm considering getting another, probably hardware. I (or anybody else) really don't need more than 2 bands for normal use, though in rare cases the 5 band Waves is handy. I need to tighten up the low end, and control things a bit more before going into the broadband comp. I master a lot of bottom heavy dance music. I use the Gyraf Gyratec X Vari Mu for broadband compression (usual chain: EQ->Multiband->Vari-Mu->Clipping/Limiting).

27th February 2005	#3
Darius van H Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 1,735	Another one I'd be interested to check out is the Aphex 2020 MkIII .... .......the main difference between it and the Finalizer/TC/Drawmer boxes is that it does its processing analog. __________________ www.amsterdammastering.com

27th February 2005	#4
BrianBrian Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2004 Location: CA Bay Area Posts: 200	If you are looking for software, try Voxengo Soniformer. It has 32 bands but it doesn't sound like a traditional multiband. You only need to specify attack/release/ratio/threshold,etc for as many or as few bands as you want, and the rest is interpolated internally. It is a very powerful and good sounding compressor for hardly any money. I think it sounds more natural than the Waves multibands. __________________ -Brian

27th February 2005	#6
bloodstone Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 657	What I like I still like the Waves C4 a lot. I prefer it set to Opto and I tend to adjust the thresholds on the bands quite a bit, usually closer to 0 db than the preset. I also have to slide the bands around to find the sweet spots. I'm not sure the exact name, but the Phase linear? multi that's in the Diamond bundle is pretty impressive. I also think for certain mixes the L3 with the multiband can work well if you don't abuse it. From my experience, any of the above is far superior to the multiband that comes with Wavelab.

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27th February 2005	#2
GYang Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2004 Location: here Posts: 4,290	Digital multiband comp. outboard that can do the job (but not always preffered) are DBX Quantum II or TC Electr Finalizer 96. No doubt for me, that with Weiss DS1 MKII, although not cheap, fantastic results are achievable. GYang

27th February 2005	#5
Leo Goler Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 158	The Weiss unit is f****n' great. Just pure transparent compression.

27th February 2005	#7
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 10,877	Because the Weiss isn't a multiband!

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