#multiband compression

Learn How to Hear Compression in 5 Easy Steps

Unlike any other processing tool, the compressor is often the hardest to learn. Once you finally learn the parameters (attack, release, etc.) then hearing is also not easy.

So, in this new blog post, I help you fast track your learning curve with a few exercises that will help you learn how to hear compression.

The funny thing is that once you start hearing compression you can no longer un-hear it, once you get it, that’s it.

Finally, learn how to hear compression, control dynamic range, shape your sounds, and add attitude/character to your sounds by clicking the link below…

Howdy music makers and audio engineers! I hope your January has been bringing you new and exciting creative challenges so far!

This month I’ve decided to focus on the fine art of EQ. And in this week’s tip I will be explaining the idea of using a dynamic EQ to shape your sounds. This could easily be considered a type of compression, since it acts on a threshold and is a dynamic process. But I want to explain why thinking about it as an EQ move, rather than a compression move can help your critical listening and change the way you achieve a sound. 

Firstly let me give a quick explanation of what a dynamic EQ process is. It’s a method of applying an EQ boost or cut based on the intensity of frequency content within an instrument or sound from moment to moment. 

Unlike a normal EQ which cuts or boosts a static amount (Unless you automate it), the use of dynamic EQ allows you to dial in settings which make allowances for the varying musical range and timbres of the sound you’re working with. 

Let’s say you’re working on a small acoustic ensemble. Perhaps a guitar, some strings and a smooth vocal. Each individual element in that mix is going to either have some acoustic resonances or potential tonal changes across the performances. This setup will present you with the challenge of crafting the sound in a way that keeps the full tonal range of each instrument sounding natural whilst taming and controlling any of the resonances or that are building up or poke out in the song. 

Using dynamic EQ to make the cuts in the low mid range where resonances are likely to build up is a really clean way of processing in this scenario. It gives you the ability to tame the low build ups when they arrive without removing too much thickness and body from the entire performance.   

It’s a great technique when used in a subtractive manner because it can really help even out a sound and put it into a great place before adding in any extra tonal excitement or broadband compression to it. 

Streaky from Metropolis Mastering explains his workflow and thought process’ when working with the Maselec MLA 3 multi band compressor. 

Although this video demonstrates the workflow via a hardware analog unit, all of the techniques identified can be implemented using a software plugin such as Izotope Ozone Dynamics or Logic’s stock Multiband Compressor. 

The more I read and hear about multi band compression, the more I think that it's going to become a go to tool for the modern engineer. All I ever hear is how it responds musically to the material it deals with. 

Learn more about this Beatelite template: http://bit.ly/BeateliteJodyWisternoffTemplate Subscribe to WinkSound: http://bit.ly/WinkSoundSubscribe Watch more Ableton Live tutorial videos: http://bit.ly/WinkSoundAbletonLive

Multiband compressors offer the ability to spilt frequency ranges allowing each band to be processed independently from each other. Jody Winsternoff, electronic music producer, dj and one half of the group Way Out West alongside Nick Warren, recently produced an Ableton Live template for Beatelite in which he used the multiband dynamics plugin on the drum group to add sparkle to the high end while not affecting the rest of the kit. We interviewed Jody to get his thoughts on other uses for multiband compression. In this video Mikiah from Beatelite explains how Jody used the multiband dynamics plugins to add sparkle and clarity to the templates drum kit within Ableton Live.

Find out where Jody Wisternoff and Way Out West are playing next by following them on Twitter:   Jody Wisternoff - https://twitter.com/#!/jodywisternoff Way Out West - https://twitter.com/#!/wayoutwestuk

Beatelite.com offers downloadable templates for most major DAW's such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live and Reason covering genres like House, Trance, Dubstep and Hip Hop. Learn more about Beatelite's song templates and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter: Website - http://Beatelite.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/beate Twitter - @beatelitedotcom