Innovative Uses of Multiband Compression in Sound Engineering

Multiband compression, a vital tool in sound engineering, offers an array of creative opportunities to enhance the quality of music production. However, to truly harness its potential, we need to move beyond commonly used tools and default settings. This article outlines three innovative techniques for using multiband compression, focusing on emphasizing a kick drum's click, shifting a pad away from a vocal in a specific frequency band, and applying compression to a kick and bass bus without negatively impacting the kick's click.

Enhancing a Kick Drum's Click

Kick drums lie at the core of many musical compositions. Enhancing their 'click' or attack can significantly improve a track's overall sound. To achieve this, we employ the Multiband XX compressor from Devious Machines. With its capability to control each frequency band separately, this multiband compressor offers a unique solution to boosting a kick drum's impact.

After placing the Multiband XX compressor on the kick drum channel, create a band around 1-1.5 kHz, which generally hosts the initial attack. Applying compression to this part accentuates the attack while preserving the kick's body, bass, and sub. This technique offers more control compared to standard EQ boosting, which can inadvertently lower the low end. The final result is a more powerful kick drum, not by increasing the volume but by manipulating its perceived power through subtle sound enhancements.

Shifting a Pad away from a Vocal

At times, pads might clash with vocals, especially in the mid frequencies. One way to mitigate this clash is by using a multiband compressor to duck the mid-range frequencies of the pad when the vocal is active.

A spectrum analyzer can help identify the vocal frequencies that require prominence, typically around 300-400Hz to 2-3 kHz. Applying a multiband compressor to the pad bus, with bands set around these frequencies, and sidechaining it to the vocal channel allows for the pad to duck when the vocals come in. This makes the vocal stand out while still maintaining the pad's high-end frequencies. This nuanced approach results in a more harmonious and balanced mix.

Compressing Kick and Bass Bus

The final technique involves applying a multiband compressor to the kick and bass bus, a common practice in sound engineering. However, if one has already enhanced the kick's click, the added compression could negatively affect it. The solution lies in applying multiband compression only to the low end, thus preserving the kick's cultivated click.

This approach allows the low end to be compressed without affecting the top-end attack, ensuring the kick's power remains intact. An auto-level matcher can be used to help monitor and maintain the balance.

Multiband Compression Beyond Mastering

These techniques highlight the potential of multiband compression beyond the final mastering stage. By focusing on individual components, sound engineers can exert more nuanced control and achieve a higher quality mix. Furthermore, these techniques also serve as a valuable exercise in developing perception and listening skills, which are integral to successful sound engineering.

Remember, tools like Ableton's OTT can indeed enhance a track, but they are not universally applicable. Using multiband compression creatively on individual tracks can often yield more satisfying results. Each sound engineering situation requires a tailored approach, and the indiscriminate use of tools can sometimes lead to subpar outcomes.

As we've seen, multiband compression is not merely a mastering tool; it's a versatile utility that, when used innovatively, can considerably elevate a track's quality. Understanding its functionalities and developing the skills to apply them effectively is undoubtedly a valuable asset for any sound engineer.

Dive into the world of multiband compression, explore its capabilities, and experiment with these techniques to hone your skills and enrich your music production experience.