Best multiband compressor plugs

pingu · 17th March 2006

What are some of your favourite mb comps that youve come across over the years.

Cheers chaps.

kudzu · 17th March 2006

I've really got to grips with UAD-1 Multiband ... Likin' it ... In fact their mastering series is very good indeed ....

True North · 17th March 2006

Wave Arts
Multidynamics (version is 5 is well done)

Sonalksis has two 'like' products
CQ1 Multi-Band Compander

DQ1 Dynamic Equaliser

Both have different names but based on the same principles as a Multiband compressor

Good news is that both companies offer 30 day demo times - so download away

AlexLakis · 17th March 2006

UAD-1 Multiband by far, and yes, their mastering series rules.

Was using the L3 before this.

Also, way back in the day, I was liking Sonitus' Multiband. Never hear about them on this board, tho, people must not like them very much.

MASSIVE Master · 17th March 2006

UAD's MBC pretty much rocks, but I pretty much don't care for "maul-the-band" compression unless something gets really whacky...

It makes a wonderful frequency-concsious gate though... Really nice.

3rd world order · 17th March 2006

McDSP M2000 is cool for making pumpy squashed digital drum sounds... but i would never think of using it for mastering.

feyshay · 17th March 2006

It really depends on what you are using it for.
Voxengo's Soniformer has up to 32 bands if you like. Meant for mastering.

If you want clean, I'd go for that Sonalksis one mentioned above.

If you don't mind some coloration, I think it is hard to beat Vintage Warmer. I love this plug-in. It'll give you 3 bands, which should be enough.

If you want to separate your bands by amplitude rather than by frequency, check out Neodynium by Elemental Audio. You can do some funky things with that.

BorrelNote · 17th March 2006

UAD Precision Multiband....by far...

Lagerfeldt · 17th March 2006

I prefer the Waves Linear Phase Multiband and the Sonalksis "minimum-phase" DQ-1.

You can do some nice low level comp/upward comp with both, but using the Sonalksis DQ-1 first for low level/upward (1-2 dB max.) and the Waves MB afterwards for "normal" compression (2-3 dB max.) can yield some amazing results. I find this combo brings out inner detail and stereo perception (Sonalksis) plus control and some extra loudness (Waves MB). Of course I follow up with broadband hardware compression and limiting.

While it may sound counter intuitive to have MB upward compression or expansion followed by MB downward compression, it's not necessarily in conflict due to the different places of compression in terms of level (low level vs. peak). I also sometimes use the upper bass band and air band for expansion instead of compression, I find the upper bass expansion can increase punch and avoid mud, while the air band expansion seems to have a psycho acoustic effect on the perceived amount of compression (sort of tricking the ears into believing you're actually compressing less overall).

The L3 limiter is multiband but not compression as such. And it stinks, IMO.

Max headroom · 17th March 2006

my opinion

1. MD3 ...... for Po Co

2. Vintage Warmer

3. UAD multiband

but apart from first one , I don't like using them much

Cheers

Max

Cornvalley · 17th March 2006

Yeah, the MD3 is very helpful. MS control is it's strength aside from the flawless sound.

papiel · 18th March 2006

The Sonalksis CQ-1 is the only MB I really use. I don't use MB on mix bus, only on individual tracks and the CQ-1 really helps when it comes to bass (straitening the subs and the low mids) and vocals.
I'm beginning to understand how UAD's PMB is working so I might use it a bit more now...

pingu · 18th March 2006

Cool stuff guys.

Thanks

pingu · 18th March 2006

Does the uad mb compressor require a dsp card?

johnnyvince · 19th March 2006

Yeah, you need a UAD-1 DSP card (PCI) to run the Precision Multiband, and a stereo instance eats up about half a card (mono instance does use only about a quarter of a card, unlike some of their other plugs where mono uses as much DSP as stereo). If you don't already own a UAD-1, you'd be looking at about $650 total ($399 for the card, plus $249 for the Precision Multiband plug). Slightly pricey...but you may likely only be using the Multiband on finished 2-track mixes, an could use the DSP to run other plug-ins beforehand. I own 2 UAD-1's including the Ultra-Pak, and cannot recommend this combination enough. Although it's more $$ up front, it's also much more cost-effective not to do buy a la carte, an their premium modeled plug-ins are phenomenal!

I only used the Precision Multiband during the two week demo period. Two things: first, I think it sounds great in action and gives you a ridiculous amount of control over dynamics and tonal balance. Too bad it looks prettiest only when it's mauling your mix. Second, there is a mild yet perceptible loss of sheen on the very top end, even with all bands set to unity, and all thresholds maxxed so that they don't engage...what's up with that? If it were an analog piece, I'd expect some coloration, but it's digital. Maybe it's 'modeled' after 5 LA-2A's or 1176's strapped across 5 bands? Maybe it's due to crossover anomolies between bands (they would still be active). Maybe all of the above. I don't know, I'm just guessing. Anyway, the only reason I haven't bought it is that I still suffer from an old war wound the doctors call 'Finalizer-Shock-Syndrome'.

johnnyvince · 19th March 2006

One more thing: if you live in the U.S., I recommend calling Chuck Levin's in Wheaton, MD. They're cool (most of the time), and they'll hook you up. (301) 946-8808.

ResonantFilter · 21st March 2006

Another hit for MD3 - absolutely stonking!

max cooper · 21st March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max headroom

my opinion

1. MD3 ...... for Po Co

2. Vintage Warmer

3. UAD multiband

The Vintage Warmer has multiband mode, and I use it a heck of a lot, but I don't consider it a Multi-band compressor like the MC2000 is (which I also use a lot).

To me, the VW is a single-band comp/limiter with some multiband parameters.

But I do like 'em both.

dub3000 · 21st March 2006

the free mda multiband vst up at http://www.mda-vst.com can do some wonderful things to drum sounds. but if you run more than one at a time, the software freaks out in horrible ways.

sounds great though.

feyshay · 21st March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by max cooper

The Vintage Warmer has multiband mode, and I use it a heck of a lot, but I don't consider it a Multi-band compressor like the MC2000 is (which I also use a lot).

To me, the VW is a single-band comp/limiter with some multiband parameters.

But I do like 'em both.

True with Vintage Warmer. You do not have individual band controls for release, speed, etc. You have 3 "bands", whose crossover points are controlled and then decibel level are controlled. You also can modulate the saturation for each band.

Jonboy79 · 21st March 2006

I have to also vote for the Wave Arts Multidynamcs5, surprisingly good and way way better than any of their version 4 stuff.

ShamansDream · 21st March 2006

The UI on the Waves processors is probably the best but considering the WUP factor, I am getting use to Izotope Ozone 3.
4 (or less) bands, linear phase or analog option included.

This one goes on the best value list and is fully functional.

17th March 2006	#1
pingu Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Perth Australia Posts: 665 Thread Starter	Best multiband compressor plugs What are some of your favourite mb comps that youve come across over the years. Cheers chaps.

17th March 2006	#3
True North Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada) Posts: 3,213	Wave Arts Multidynamics (version is 5 is well done) Sonalksis has two 'like' products CQ1 Multi-Band Compander DQ1 Dynamic Equaliser Both have different names but based on the same principles as a Multiband compressor Good news is that both companies offer 30 day demo times - so download away __________________ "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey" - Beck, Loser "I do use compressors/limiters but not for controlling dynamics, I use EQ for that!" Jp22 (damn I miss him) "Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -- Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) "I try to get a boom out of the bass drum, in one of my albums, my CD, boom, I try to get that big boom, I could not get a big boom, I paid bucks, and could not get the boom" - Recording Expert, Tad Donley

17th March 2006	#5
MASSIVE Master Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago (Schaumburg / Hoffman Est.) IL Posts: 2,708	UAD's MBC pretty much rocks, but I pretty much don't care for "maul-the-band" compression unless something gets really whacky... It makes a wonderful frequency-concsious gate though... Really nice. __________________ John Scrip - Massive Mastering, LLC - www.massivemastering.com Spoon-feed a newb some answer and he'll mix for a day - Get him to think about it and figure it out for himself and he'll mix for a lifetime --- JS

17th March 2006	#6
3rd world order Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: hell, michigan Posts: 2,797	McDSP M2000 is cool for making pumpy squashed digital drum sounds... but i would never think of using it for mastering. __________________ 3WO - Mixing Without Tears "Some think I should teach men the way to heaven. But I would rather teach them the way to hell so they'll know how to go around it..." -- Niccolo Machiavelli

17th March 2006	#9
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 4,770	I prefer the Waves Linear Phase Multiband and the Sonalksis "minimum-phase" DQ-1. You can do some nice low level comp/upward comp with both, but using the Sonalksis DQ-1 first for low level/upward (1-2 dB max.) and the Waves MB afterwards for "normal" compression (2-3 dB max.) can yield some amazing results. I find this combo brings out inner detail and stereo perception (Sonalksis) plus control and some extra loudness (Waves MB). Of course I follow up with broadband hardware compression and limiting. While it may sound counter intuitive to have MB upward compression or expansion followed by MB downward compression, it's not necessarily in conflict due to the different places of compression in terms of level (low level vs. peak). I also sometimes use the upper bass band and air band for expansion instead of compression, I find the upper bass expansion can increase punch and avoid mud, while the air band expansion seems to have a psycho acoustic effect on the perceived amount of compression (sort of tricking the ears into believing you're actually compressing less overall). The L3 limiter is multiband but not compression as such. And it stinks, IMO. __________________ Professional geek Online Mastering - At the moment: Mastering Christopher (EMI) · Mixing Michalis (Universal)

17th March 2006	#2
kudzu Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland UK Posts: 709	I've really got to grips with UAD-1 Multiband ... Likin' it ... In fact their mastering series is very good indeed ....

17th March 2006	#4
AlexLakis Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD/Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,631	UAD-1 Multiband by far, and yes, their mastering series rules. Was using the L3 before this. Also, way back in the day, I was liking Sonitus' Multiband. Never hear about them on this board, tho, people must not like them very much.

17th March 2006	#7
feyshay Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,358	It really depends on what you are using it for. Voxengo's Soniformer has up to 32 bands if you like. Meant for mastering. If you want clean, I'd go for that Sonalksis one mentioned above. If you don't mind some coloration, I think it is hard to beat Vintage Warmer. I love this plug-in. It'll give you 3 bands, which should be enough. If you want to separate your bands by amplitude rather than by frequency, check out Neodynium by Elemental Audio. You can do some funky things with that.

17th March 2006	#8
BorrelNote Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 225	UAD Precision Multiband....by far...

17th March 2006	#10
Max headroom Gear addict Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 325	my opinion 1. MD3 ...... for Po Co 2. Vintage Warmer 3. UAD multiband but apart from first one , I don't like using them much Cheers Max

17th March 2006	#11
Cornvalley Gear addict Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Woodland Hiils, CA Posts: 438	Yeah, the MD3 is very helpful. MS control is it's strength aside from the flawless sound.

18th March 2006	#12
papiel Gear nut Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 107	The Sonalksis CQ-1 is the only MB I really use. I don't use MB on mix bus, only on individual tracks and the CQ-1 really helps when it comes to bass (straitening the subs and the low mids) and vocals. I'm beginning to understand how UAD's PMB is working so I might use it a bit more now...

19th March 2006	#15
johnnyvince Gear nut Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 75	Yeah, you need a UAD-1 DSP card (PCI) to run the Precision Multiband, and a stereo instance eats up about half a card (mono instance does use only about a quarter of a card, unlike some of their other plugs where mono uses as much DSP as stereo). If you don't already own a UAD-1, you'd be looking at about $650 total ($399 for the card, plus $249 for the Precision Multiband plug). Slightly pricey...but you may likely only be using the Multiband on finished 2-track mixes, an could use the DSP to run other plug-ins beforehand. I own 2 UAD-1's including the Ultra-Pak, and cannot recommend this combination enough. Although it's more $$ up front, it's also much more cost-effective not to do buy a la carte, an their premium modeled plug-ins are phenomenal! I only used the Precision Multiband during the two week demo period. Two things: first, I think it sounds great in action and gives you a ridiculous amount of control over dynamics and tonal balance. Too bad it looks prettiest only when it's mauling your mix. Second, there is a mild yet perceptible loss of sheen on the very top end, even with all bands set to unity, and all thresholds maxxed so that they don't engage...what's up with that? If it were an analog piece, I'd expect some coloration, but it's digital. Maybe it's 'modeled' after 5 LA-2A's or 1176's strapped across 5 bands? Maybe it's due to crossover anomolies between bands (they would still be active). Maybe all of the above. I don't know, I'm just guessing. Anyway, the only reason I haven't bought it is that I still suffer from an old war wound the doctors call 'Finalizer-Shock-Syndrome'.

21st March 2006	#17
ResonantFilter Gear nut Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 107	Another hit for MD3 - absolutely stonking!

21st March 2006	#19
dub3000 Gear addict Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 462	the free mda multiband vst up at http://www.mda-vst.com can do some wonderful things to drum sounds. but if you run more than one at a time, the software freaks out in horrible ways. sounds great though.

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21st March 2006	#21
Jonboy79 Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 2,636	I have to also vote for the Wave Arts Multidynamcs5, surprisingly good and way way better than any of their version 4 stuff.

21st March 2006	#22
ShamansDream Gear addict Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 392	The UI on the Waves processors is probably the best but considering the WUP factor, I am getting use to Izotope Ozone 3. 4 (or less) bands, linear phase or analog option included. This one goes on the best value list and is fully functional.