Multiband Compressor

Two multiband compressor types provide independent compression control over different frequency bands.

• MultiBD4 (4 Band)
• MultiBD3 (3 Band)

This is an advanced mixing tool that gives more precise control over the dynamics and less pumping effect than the more common single band compressor.

The Multiband Compressor can be loaded into one or more of the 8FX slots and then inserted into any of the input or mix channels.

Main Graph - A WYSIWYG graph displays the resulting crossover frequency response. Shaded red fills show dynamic gain reduction. The yellow curve shows makeup gain for each band, and the grey curve shows maximum potential gain reduction. Bands grey out if they are bypassed.

Slope - Choose the crossover slope - 6, 18, or 24 dB/octave. Slope 6 works well with the 3-band compressor and has minimal phase summing distortion, and sounds smooth. It is typically used for programme mastering. Slope 18 and 24 provide more band isolation and work well with the 4-band compressor for vocal and instrument control.

Attack/Release modes - There are two manual and 4 automatic dynamics modes:

• Peak Manual
• RMS Manual
• Auto Punch
• Auto Opto
• Slow AutoF
• Fast AutoF

Knee - Hard or Soft (easy knee model).

Link and Relative modes - There are three operating modes with two buttons at the top right of the screen:

Normal: Link and Rel buttons turned off. Independent control of each band.

Link: All band parameters linked for quick setup.

Relative: All band parameters linked for changes relative to settings made before the Rel button was turned on.

Per band controls:

Ratio: 1:1 (no compression) to 20:1 (maximum compression)

Gain: -6dB to +18dB

Threshold (-50dBu to 18dBu): Sets the level at which the sidechain gain reduction occurs for that band. A threshold dependent ‘zoom’ meter is displayed.

In/Out: Individual band bypass. The curve and controls grey out for the band.

PFL: Momentary listen to the band solo’d to PAFL. Silences the other bands.

Sidechain Meter: Shows sidechain signal level and threshold point.

Bypass - Switches the whole compressor in or out. The curve and all band controls grey out when the compressor is bypassed.

Master Trim and Meter - Lets you adjust the output +/-12dB to compensate for the effect of the EQ on overall level. The meter displays the stereo output signal.