Ableton Forum

Is any way to keep the tonal balance of my mix, while compressing with multiband compressor. May be there is any preset, or formula, or tuning algorythm to do this?

you know those things on the side of your head that holds your glasses up? use those.


why are you using the multiband compressor? you don't HAVE TO use it. it sounds like it's the wrong tool for you.

start by learning the plug in. open Live's help box, hover the mouse over the controls and read what they do. then LOOK AWAY from the screen, tweak a parameter and listen to what it does.

wait. Use my ears! Surely there's a spectrum preset i can use. Multiband compression combined with limiting can make music sound really 'overbright'.

a multiband should be used only if the mix isn't balanced and you only have a master file to work with.

I have found it hard to get the desired transparency with Live 8's multiband. It's very flexible beyond doubt, the 'remove ambience' preset worked wonders on taking a recording 'out of a room'. While I loved my Triple C, Multiband compression is getting a very bad name in mastering circles

my mix is balanced only at "full on" part of the composition. i'm going to play it lively, so i don't know which of my instruments will sound at any moment, but i want they to sound balanced

jinek wrote:my mix is balanced only at "full on" part of the composition. i'm going to play it lively, so i don't know which of my instruments will sound at any moment, but i want they to sound balanced

post the song in the Link Your Music forum and ask how people would make the adjustments. it's difficult to tell what's going on by reading about it.

Tone Deft wrote:

jinek wrote:my mix is balanced only at "full on" part of the composition. i'm going to play it lively, so i don't know which of my instruments will sound at any moment, but i want they to sound balanced

post the song in the Link Your Music forum and ask how people would make the adjustments. it's difficult to tell what's going on by reading about it.

ok, thnk...

jinek - are you asking about using multiband compression in live performance?

ethios4 wrote:jinek - are you asking about using multiband compression in live performance?

yes. here is the new topic:
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php? ... 4#p1100374

Multiband compression - know when to use it. This is the key. As already stated, it's biggest use is in tracks where you have a stereo master and cannot go back into the multitrack mixes - if you need to use a multiband and you have the original DAW session, you should look at fixing the mix up on a per track basis with regular compression and EQ. Multiband is useful on a drum loop, where different compression can be applied to kick, snare and hat etc (and you can't slice the loop up and process the elements differently with their own track and compression).

For most compression purposes, you should be looking at using a single wideband compressor, as opposed to a multiband, however, multiband compression does have some valid uses. Of course, the old adage, if it sounds right it IS right also applies. Compression can be used as a mix effect, not just an audio process and if you feel it brings something positive to the sound, then that's fine.

mihai wrote:a multiband should be used only if the mix isn't balanced and you only have a master file to work with.

a screwdriver should be used only to tighten or loosen a screw. ....or you could use it to open a can of paint. of course you could also shove it in your eye and blind yourself.


.lm.

leisuremuffin wrote:

mihai wrote:a multiband should be used only if the mix isn't balanced and you only have a master file to work with.

a screwdriver should be used only to tighten or loosen a screw. ....or you could use it to open a can of paint. of course you could also shove it in your eye and blind yourself.


.lm.

what was implied is that it's solely my opinion and i firmly believe it's not a needed tool if mix is balanced. just to clarify. point taken though.

All pointless considering OP is talking about live performance, not mixes in the studio.

He says he's going to play it 'lively'.

Is this a typo meaning he's going to play it live, or does it mean he is going to play it in the studio with vigour


Hard to guess.