From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Controlling frequency content with multi-band compressors

Controlling frequency content with multi-band compressors

From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Controlling frequency content with multi-band compressors

Now that we have a good idea about why and how multiband compressors work, let's take a look at a specific example of using multiband compression to control frequency content in a mix. Take a listen to this loop. Notice how on Beat 1 of the loop we have a super-bassy 808 drum that seems to overtake the low end of everything else. Now, this can be cool, but I think the low end is a little too much, especially if there's going to be other low-frequency elements added to the mix, like another kick drum. (music playing) Because this is a loop and I don't have the 808 hit on an isolated track, I can't simply turn down the 808. Nor can I use EQ to treat the low end, because that would affect the low end of the bass synth as well. What I can use is a multiband compressor on the low frequencies of this loop to see if I can get it to give me a little gain reduction only on the downbeats, when the 808 is strongest. To accomplish this, I'll first pull up my multiband compressor on the loop…

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