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Chapter 4 Dynamics processors 94
Multipressor
Multipressor overview
Multipressor (an abbreviation for multiband compressor) is a versatile audio mastering tool. It
splits the incoming signal into dierent frequency bands—up to four—and enables you to
independently compress each band. After compression is applied, the bands are combined into a
single output signal.
The advantage of compressing dierent frequency bands separately is that it allows more
compression to be applied to bands that need it, without aecting other bands. This avoids the
“pumping” eect often associated with high amounts of compression.
Because the use of higher compression ratios on specic frequency bands is possible,
Multipressor can achieve a higher average volume without causing audible artifacts.
Raising the overall volume level can result in a corresponding increase in the existing noise oor.
Each frequency band features downward expansion, which enables you to reduce or suppress
this noise.
Downward expansion works as a counterpart to compression. Whereas a compressor compresses
the dynamic range of higher volume levels, the downward expander expands the dynamic range
of the lower volume levels. With downward expansion, the signal is reduced in level when it falls
below the threshold level. This works in a similar way to a noise gate, but rather than abruptly
cutting o the sound, it smoothly fades the volume with an adjustable ratio.
Multipressor Display parameters
Multipressor’s parameters are grouped into three main areas: the graphic display in the upper
section, the set of controls for each frequency band in the lower section, and the output
parameters on the right.
Frequency band section
Graphic display section
Output section