New plug-in? Help please?

[DogpitStudios]

I just relized that 4-band multi-compressors exsist and I would like to know how to use it. All I know so far (just off of trial and error) is that if I apply it to my master track it cuts down the final db with out loosing that fullness. I guess its four different compressors on one track taking over certain frequencies? I'm very confused by it please someone help!

Ben

[Ronan Chris Murphy]

The signal is split into 4 bands, each one covering a certain frequency range, processed and then summed back together.

The advantage to this is that high and and low end ect will respond to compressors quite differently, so for instance you could compress some wild low end a lot without really affecting the high end or mid range.

They are pretty fun at first, but most people sort of get over them eventually. When I use them I usually only use one of the bands and leave the other three inactive. I will use it to compress a certain frequency I am having trouble with.

[brandondrury]

Recently, I had a problem where my reverbs were much louder on tracks after I ran the track through my "mastering chain". I mean a mix went from being about right to sounding cheesy. I had a Waves Rcomp, a Waves C4 (multiband compressor), a spacial something or other, and an L2. All them were set to be fairly subtle.

I was told that the C4 was causing the problems. I took it off. It immediately solved the problem.

In other words, multiband compressors are really powerful. Just barely using them can cause complete destruction in a way that you probably didn't expect or even immediately realize.

I typically use them as de-essers on vocals. I also only use them on the specific band I need and set them so that I can barely hear what they are doing.

Have fun with it. Let us know how it goes.

Brandon

[DogpitStudios]

Still trying here but I'm at the stage where im a bit to scared to touch stuff. I applied it to the master and took up the 3rd compressors EQ which seemed to raise the master mids. I liked that and I took up the forth which was his. Still to scared to do anything else but I'll keep working on it and get back to you ;with more questions.

Ben

[dach]

They are pretty fun at first, but most people sort of get over them eventually. When I use them I usually only use one of the bands and leave the other three inactive. I will use it to compress a certain frequency I am having trouble with.

yes!..

[brandondrury]

Dude,

Don't be afraid to use it. If you are a pussy with your recording gear, you'll never get any better. I always make an effort to make something sound like shit whether it's tracking or mixing. The idea is to catch it and fix it before the project is over. In other words, HAVE THE BALLS TO TRY SOMETHING NEW!!!

I can usually do a half assed mix pretty decently for local bands, but I go out of my way to try new things when it doesn't matter. You'd be amazed at how embarrassingly terrible my mixes can be when taken outside the studio. I consider this a strength.

Brandon

[DogpitStudios]

Brandon,

I was kidding, thats my way of saying I haven't gotten anything good out of it yet cause I have no fucking idea what I'm doing.

Ben

[brandondrury]

Oh good. Well, maybe someone else will benefit from my rants.

In my opinion, these damn multiband compressors should not be overly obvious. The concept is great, but they do weird things.

Brandon

[DogpitStudios]

What kind of wierd things?

Ben

[dach]

What kind of wierd things?

This reminds me of a quote:

"Good Sound is the Absence of Bad Sound"

They can easily destroy a mix or a track. They are cool because you can take a sound and only compress a certain bandwidth of the audio... like compressing the hi end while leaving the lo end intact and not destroying the dynamics... etc...

People over use them when they smash all the bands... like anything compression, it can leave artifacts or do bad things if you're not careful...

I think some of those waves plugs seem to have developed a mind of their own... kind of like in the movie "The Terminator"

[brandondrury]

Waves Plugins Become Self Aware and Shoot Nukes At Russia

I can see the headlines now.

I guess the best way to describe "weird things" about the Waves C4. When I've used it in the past, I've noticed that it seams to make things sound better on my monitors but tends not to translate onto other systems. Because of this, I only use it when it's absolutely necessary.

Brandon

[richiebee]

I guess the best way to describe "weird things" about the Waves C4. When I've used it in the past, I've noticed that it seams to make things sound better on my monitors but tends not to translate onto other systems. Because of this, I only use it when it's absolutely necessary.

Exactly. Definitely don't overdo it with EQ or multiband compression - these are the things that really show up a less than perfect set up.

R.

[brandondrury]

In general, when I mix I listen. If the track doesn't sound perfect, but does sound acceptable on my monitors, I leave it. In other words, I don't add EQ so that the source will sound closer to right on my monitors most of the time. I leave it as being pretty good. The reason that I do this is do to the fact that my monitors may be tricking me.

I've had situations where I thought the electric guitars were a tad dull so I bumped up 4K until I thought it sounded best. Then when I took the mix out out to my car I was in for a rude awakening. It sounded terribly thin and bitey. The lesson? Don't use EQ unless you are absolutely sure that the EQ you are adding will improve the sound on all systems.


Sorry, I kind of got off tangent, but using the C4 on the wrong sources has gotten me into similar jams. I must say that I still use it on vocals quite a bit, but I change the default settings of -8.0dB on the range to something more like 1-2dB. I never use it on the 2bus anymore.

Brandon

[rt60]

i find them great for compressing bottom end only with single instument or in combination with fullband on a mix or submix