Waves Linear-Phase MultiBand Software Audio Processor manual Examples of use

Chapter 6 – Examples of use

PRACTICE OF MULTIBAND AND MASTERING

Upon a time the mediums just couldn’t handle the same dynamic range that an orchestra can produce or a Microphone transduce, so for the lower passages not to be too low and the peaks not too high, compression and peak limiting was used. In broadcasting AM signals, the hotter the signal was the further it would reach. Since heavy wide-band compression causes modulation distortions these industries used EQ Xover filters to split the signal and feed it into separate compressors and then mix back. Today’s mediums for both transmission and local music playback have a dynamic range that is quite fit to carry extreme dynamics, yet compressors are still heavily used in most cases and in some to an extreme extent.

We find that nowadays the Mastering stage is where broadband signals are processed with compression for best translation from the low noise professionally equipped mixing environment to the hi fi home systems, personal headphone players or car reproduction systems. At this stage it is an art of subtlety to complement a ready-made mix while effectively taking advantage of the target media properties and the typical target reproduction properties to reach a certain optimum.

The master will be the carrier of the so-called “Flat” response of the program material. This “Flat” response may well be further processed at the listener’s side for boosting or cutting frequency ranges according to taste driven preferences. While we can reach relative flatness with EQ devices, it may sometimes be complementary and perhaps necessary to add some frequency range dependant push or pull to fit even better. It’s like putting the mix on vitamins, making it as potent as possible in all frequency ranges to cut through best at any given playback scenario.

It is recommended to apply MultiBand dynamics as a first generation of mastering compression before applying another stage of wide band limiting. This way more transparency will be maintained for a similar amount of loudness gained. The MultiBand stage will serve to optimize the dynamics of the broadband signal for that final stage. As indicated before it is a subtle trade. The taste and experience of the mastering engineer will determine the result and the Linear MultiBand may serve as a purist level tool offering total transparency when splitting the signal to 5 discrete bands for the engineer to do he’s thing.

That aside, we recommend trying the Multiband Opto Mastering preset, or the Basic multi preset. Either one will give you reasonable compression and increased density of your mix.

To enhance low-level signals (a great way to boost level without squashing dynamics), try the Upward Comp +5, or +3 version of the preset. This is great for adding level without losing punch.

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