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Multi-band compression - is it really better?

Al Krow

Al Krow

Jan 15, 2018
1,179
1,748
London
#1
Came across this little post about a built in compressor on a TC amp:



I was interested in his explanation:
- most single band comps work by compressing according to the strings with the most energy i.e. E (or low B for 5 strings), so these strings are determining the overall compression;
- this potentially "ruins the dynamics of your playing", which is a common criticism from those who prefer not to use a pedal board compressor at all.

The amp has a 3 band compressor individually dealing with the lows, mids and highs, which is "more transparent" and tightens the sound without impacting the dynamics so much.

Is he correct in what he's saying?
 
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#2
It is a tool,like anything else. Sometimes single band may be fine, other times multi-band is better.

What he is saying is true for the most part. The loudest (largest amplitude) signal is the one that will control that level on a single band compressor, so that will typically be the E or B string. That may or may not be ok for your particular situation.

Plenty of bassists use a single band compressor, and are perfectly fine with it. For me, when someone says "compression", I'm thinking of single band.

Multi-band compression is normally more of a studio thing for when you want more control over things.

TLDR: Multi-band compression is cool, but this is mostly marketing schtick.
 
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#4
Zooberwerx said:
"Never ask the barber if you need a haircut"...

Well, we do dual-band so why not tri-band? I get my mileage from conventional side-chained (HPF) and parallel compression. I would like to see some real-world-application reviews.

Riis
Click to expand...

Which dual-band comp are you using? I'm guessing you find it better than single band - if so, would be able to elaborate? Is it basically what he was saying?
 
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#5
Al Krow said:
Which dual-band comp are you using? I'm guessing you find it better than single band - if so, would be able to elaborate? Is it basically what he was saying?
Click to expand...

I don't but a few folks still do...Trace Elliot is the first to come to mind. I see more of a lean towards side-chains including the newer Empress models. As for me, I ditched everything in favor of an older VCA-based pedal with a blend function. Same goals, different pathways!

Riis
 
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#6
It's not better. It's just a different tool that does different things. And the explanation given as to why isn't really "correct." It can be right, sometimes. Depends on the bass and the strings and the player and the situation.

The most energy coming from a bass isn't always the fundamentals of the lowest notes. Sometimes the first partial peaks higher than the fundamental. Sometimes the full spectrum transients peak loudest. Sometimes the fundamentals of the notes above the 12th fret peak higher than the fundamentals of the lowest notes. Different parts of the bass's signal could be going over the threshold of a single-band compressor, and most of the time using a single-band compressor to treat the whole signal based on whatever part of the signal is going over the threshold works. Single-band compressors don't ruin your dynamic range if you set them up properly and transparently.

Multi-band compressors can destroy your dynamic range just as much as single-band if you don't set up each band properly and transparently. If someone isn't adept at setting up a single-band compressor transparently, having to set up three compressors isn't gonna make the dynamics better.

It's just a different tool to target the different needs of each bandwidth, if they need separate treatments. For example: You want to make the bass more punchy but also the transients are way too bright. So you need a fast attack & release on the high band with the threshold set to just engage on the transients, but then you set the low band with a mid attack and a long-ish release to let the thump of the low through and squish the tail. Then if the mids need compression you can adjust that accordingly, or leave it off. In this case you need to address two different issues in opposite compression techniques in two different bands.

Do you need one? To answer a question with a question: Have you ever been in the situation where you just can't get your tone right without being able to compress different bands differently? "Need" is a strong word.

I rarely use multiband compression unless i'm mastering a stereo mix.
 
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#7
It really depends on what youa re trying to do with your compression.
In theory you can apply more compression to a bass using well chosen crossover and compression settings than a trad single band. However there are modern compressors that can apply a lot of "transparent" compression than older units.
For some guys, an older optical / valve compressor with lots of specific charector is what they are looking for in their tone.
For me, I want options and access to them all. I want it stereo and I want it with full midi control. I want lots of types of compressors and I don't want it to take up a lot of power or board space. So for me the Source Audio Atlas compressor is perfect. My fav compressor models is a pair of compressors, a modern transparent and a Mark bass type of compressor. With a blend control mapped between them so I can have either compressor 100% or a blend of the two. Plus I have another 6 options via the device patches or a full 128 patches via midi. It's pretty much my last word in compression.
 
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#8
I have a multi-band pedal or two. They can sound good, may be useful for a specific situation that I have never encountered - ultimately too complicated for me live, never saw the need while recording.

I've dickandjaned with 'em on mixes, tweak ..., tweak.., tweak, get it sounding OK.

Turn it off, invariably sounds better.

But I plead no special competency even as I only use 'em for problematic mixes, and seldom at that - like, not this year at all.

Finally, if playing yer open D is distorting yer single-band, be aware and play it lighter; works for yo.
 
#10
I found my TE 2 band useful for a good slap tone back when. No question thump and pop benefitted from different compression. These double thumb days, thump sounds a lot more like pop than it used to. I don't know that 2 band would be quite as effective. Can't rule it out, but high pass sidechain might work better. Wish I had one to try .

One knob 3 band could be the perfect compressor if your playing fits all the choices that have been made for you.
 
#11
Just a tool, like anything else - if you know how to work it, you can do a lot of cool things, like just about any tool. I dig the Trace Elliot one as well. All depends on your goals and what you want to get out of it.

Also, if someone says that a compressor kills their dynamics etc. then they are using it incorrectly. Used in the right way, a compressor will give you more control.
 
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#12
A lot of people love the most recent Boss multi-band compressor. If I ever actually wanted to dive into pedal comps again it's one of give a go.

That said, technique is still THE best way to control all things dynamic about playing bass guitar in my experience. Plenty of us understand very well how compression works and why it affects our signal the way that it does. Which is why I don't use them. You do you, though.
 
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#13
Al Krow said:
Came across this little post about a built in compressor on a TC amp:



I was interested in his explanation:
- most single band comps work by compressing according to the strings with the most energy i.e. E (or low B for 5 strings), so these strings are determining the overall compression;
- this potentially "ruins the dynamics of your playing", which is a common criticism from those who prefer not to use a pedal board compressor at all.

The amp has a 3 band compressor individually dealing with the lows, mids and highs, which is "more transparent" and tightens the sound without impacting the dynamics so much.

Is he correct in what he's saying?
Click to expand...


No.

The fact that a traditional compressor, without a variable HPF in the detector section of the circuit, compresses the lower pitches of a bass guitar more than higher pitches has absolutely nothing to do with “dynamics”.
 
#14
If you want to hear what multi band compression sounds like, tune in to a heavy rock FM station, (in a larger market) and listen. You will know when you are there when the kick drum is louder than the vocals and highs are covering everything. Every note is the same level regardless of its function in the music. This is five band compression. No EQ needed, no dynamic range. Just loud. You want that VU meter to hang at 0, +/- zero, and 0 equals 75 KHZ deviation.

Tune in a compressed FM station and see how long your girl friend or wife listens to it before she changes the station. Then ask her why she changed the station. She won't know, but "I just don't like it."

If you want to try it in your, bass rig, find any FM station chief engineer and ask if he has any used "processing" equipment for sale. Stations change processing equipment to the latest "secret" fad often. Buy it and put in your rack. (Levels are close enough for the effects loop.) Feed it to FOH, those Telecaster / Strat players will never know what hit them.

That sound was called "hurricane through a keyhole."
 
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#15
I've found several high regarded single band comps muffling my B string, maybe it was just the bass. wasn't an issue with multiband ones. strangely enough, in studio I mainly use single-band ones

it's not that multiband compressors are always better, I loved my Markbass Compressore with 4 string basses. and hated with a 5-string, so bought a multiband.
 
#17
I’ve started using the TC spectracomp preset on my BH250 head and I like the way it sounds considering it’s a single knob compressor. I prefer it over the TC single band compressor presets.

Having sidechains and wet/dry control is nice to have but more complicated to set up especially for newbies. I can’t think of any amps with onboard compressors offering more than one knob. On some of the Eden WT heads the compressor is slaved to the gain control which allows even less user control.
 
#20
brianrost said:
Having sidechains and wet/dry control is nice to have but more complicated to set up especially for newbies.
Click to expand...
Parallel compression is great with character-drenched studio tools. Not so useful on a bass amp, where catching the whole signals a big part of the job description.

brianrost said:
On some of the Eden WT heads the compressor is slaved to the gain control which allows even less user control.
Click to expand...

Glad you said that. Markbass site talks about a compressor on my new amp but there's no controls for it. Thought I'd been hearing the odd artefact and couldn't work out why until I read your post. Thanks

One more thing I need to practise working around. Sounds nice when it goes to plan, though.
 

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