Multiband compressors for PT users.. basic junior mastering chains

[Alécio Costa]

hi!
have you guys had the opportunity to compare TC Master X, C4, MC2000, Vintage Warmer, T-racks, Waves Lin Multib..?
Also, which plus is gonna substitute Master X 5 band for Pt HD users? Waves Masters Bundle? ok, a real ME rig -lol

I myself use TC MAster X 5 band and Vintage Warmer everyday. In some sources Master X sounds metallic, but its multiband comp ( turn off makeup-gain here if necessary) sounds fuller than MC2000 to my ears.

I generally turn off the dither stage, use the maximum look ahead delay and use the output celing at -0.1 and out at -0.1 ( sou real output level goes to -0.2).

Vintage warmer is pretty cool also, it adds some mighty colour.

So, comes to my mind:
Q10 or Ren Eq ( surgical cuts) >> Multiband ( TC, VW, other) >>> Power dither ( level 3 generally) >> PAZ.

Ill be soon substituting Waves stuff for PSP Master Q/PSP mix pack.

I myself not a big fan of L1.

Nice weekend

[Jules]

Not had a chance to compare them all but C4 can be usefull in some PT mastering situations (controling very excessive low end / siblance etc) IMHO

[mersisblue]

I have used C4 and I own and / or have used

every finalizer Id like to UAD release one



Ive also used the t racks

The c4 finalizer then the t racks ( i didnt like this one at all )

[Alécio Costa]

SO waves masters bundle is worth? Just afraid of that wuppy thing...

[Lee Knight]

I love the Waves Linear Multiband Comp form the Mastering Bundle. By setting the individual band thresholds to their respective max peak levels, then lowering the master threshhold, you can can some very transparent mastering style compression. Then, by carfully adjusting the individual band gains to get the overall balance you're looking for... Shazam!

[Bob Olhsson]

I treat multiband compression pretty much as a tool of last resort and not something to always have in my signal path. When I need it, the least invasive I've heard have been the Waves Linear Phase or the one built into Samplitude depending on what I'm trying to do.

I think it's important to realize that tools that are great for mixing aren't necessarily great for mastering and tools that are great for mastering aren't necessarily great for mixing.

[Alécio Costa]

Bob, have you evaluated MAster Q already? People are preferring it over Waves stuff.

[Mikey MTC]

I'll put in another vote for the Waves LinMB. It's pretty much the most invisible multiband compressor I've ever heard. You can put a crossover right in the middle of a snare drum and it won't smear the transient like other multi-comps do. Obviously this is the benefit of being linear phase.

[NeoVXR]

tried LinMB.
very perfect tool.

only danger, it is a big seduction to rely on it too much and then everything begins to sound perfect, but all the same and boring.

a very interesting application is to let it compress in the lows and expand in the highs.

[toolskid]

sony dynamics - waves linMB - sony inflator are all cool PT 'junior' mastering tools - L2 is ok if you only tickle it.

[Mikey MTC]

Really? What's a "senior" mastering tool that can do the sort of seamless shaping that the LinMB does?

[toolskid]

please note the inverted commas - and that that i was quoting the original poster - AND that i wouldnt recommend something i didn't think was useful

[Alécio Costa]

PSPMAster Q is a nice linear phase eq too.