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Waves LinMB software guide page 20 of 28
Chapter 6 – Examples of use
P
RACTICE OF
M
ULTI
B
AND AND
M
ASTERING
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.