Multiband compressor
Three-band compressor on a flat-summing crossover: per-band threshold, ratio, attack, release, makeup and solo, then an output trim.
- Dynamics
- Since 0.2.0
- dynamics
- multiband
- compressor
- de-esser
- mastering
- bands
A multiband compressor compresses the lows, mids and highs of a sound separately, so a loud bass note never turns the vocals down.
What it does#
A 24 dB-per-octave Linkwitz-Riley Crossover splits each channel into a low band below Low split, a middle band and a high band above High split. Each band has its own compressor, with the same gain law as the Compressor and a fixed 6 dB soft knee: it follows the band's peak across every channel, so all channels of a band are turned down together, and Threshold, Ratio, Attack and Release work as they do there. Each band's Makeup raises it afterwards. The bands are added back together and Output trims the sum. With every ratio at 1 and no makeup, the bands sum flat, so the node changes nothing until a band compresses.
Solo a band to hear only that band; while any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. The node adds no latency.
When to use it#
Use it to control a boomy low end without dulling the top, to de-ess a voice with the high band, or to even out a full mix. To process bands with other effects, split them with a Crossover instead.
Ports#
| Port | Direction | Signal | Lanes |
|---|---|---|---|
audio | Input | Audio | Inferred from the cable |
audio | Output | Audio | Inferred from the cable |
Parameters#
| Parameter | Label | Range | Default | Unit | Scale | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low_hz | Low split | 20 to 2000 | 200 | Hz | log | Top of the low band. |
high_hz | High split | 500 to 16000 | 3000 | Hz | log | Bottom of the high band. |
low_threshold | Low threshold | -60 to 0 | -24 | dBFS | linear | The low band compresses above this peak level. |
low_ratio | Low ratio | 1 to 20 | 3 | :1 | linear | Low band input/output slope above threshold. |
low_attack | Low attack | 0.1 to 100 | 20 | ms | log | Low band gain-reduction attack. |
low_release | Low release | 10 to 2000 | 200 | ms | log | Low band gain-reduction recovery. |
low_makeup | Low makeup | 0 to 24 | 0 | dB | linear | Low band gain after compression. |
low_solo | Low solo | 0 to 1 | 0 | linear | While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Choices: 0 Off, 1 Solo. | |
mid_threshold | Mid threshold | -60 to 0 | -24 | dBFS | linear | The mid band compresses above this peak level. |
mid_ratio | Mid ratio | 1 to 20 | 2 | :1 | linear | Mid band input/output slope above threshold. |
mid_attack | Mid attack | 0.1 to 100 | 10 | ms | log | Mid band gain-reduction attack. |
mid_release | Mid release | 10 to 2000 | 150 | ms | log | Mid band gain-reduction recovery. |
mid_makeup | Mid makeup | 0 to 24 | 0 | dB | linear | Mid band gain after compression. |
mid_solo | Mid solo | 0 to 1 | 0 | linear | While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Choices: 0 Off, 1 Solo. | |
high_threshold | High threshold | -60 to 0 | -24 | dBFS | linear | The high band compresses above this peak level. |
high_ratio | High ratio | 1 to 20 | 2 | :1 | linear | High band input/output slope above threshold. |
high_attack | High attack | 0.1 to 100 | 5 | ms | log | High band gain-reduction attack. |
high_release | High release | 10 to 2000 | 100 | ms | log | High band gain-reduction recovery. |
high_makeup | High makeup | 0 to 24 | 0 | dB | linear | High band gain after compression. |
high_solo | High solo | 0 to 1 | 0 | linear | While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Choices: 0 Off, 1 Solo. | |
output | Output | -24 to 24 | 0 | dB | linear | Gain after the bands are summed. |
Splits (low_hz, high_hz)#
Low split, from 20 to 2000 Hz, is the top of the low band; High split, from 500 to 16000 Hz, is the bottom of the high band. They are used lowest first.
Thresholds (low_threshold, mid_threshold, high_threshold)#
The peak level, from −60 to 0 dBFS, above which each band compresses.
Ratios (low_ratio, mid_ratio, high_ratio)#
Each band's input-to-output slope above its threshold, from 1:1 (no compression) to 20:1.
Attacks (low_attack, mid_attack, high_attack)#
How quickly each band's gain reduction arrives, from 0.1 to 100 ms.
Releases (low_release, mid_release, high_release)#
How quickly each band's gain recovers, from 10 to 2000 ms.
Makeups (low_makeup, mid_makeup, high_makeup)#
Gain added to each band after compression, from 0 to 24 dB.
Solos (low_solo, mid_solo, high_solo)#
Solo plays only the soloed bands, to hear what each one catches.
Output (output)#
Gain after the bands are summed, from −24 to 24 dB.
Tips#
- Lows usually want slower attacks and releases than highs.
- To de-ess, put High split near 5 kHz, set a fast high attack and leave the other ratios at 1.
- A Compressor with a high-passed key is the other way to de-ess, turning the whole voice down only on its esses.
See also#
Compressor, Crossover, Limiter, Parametric EQ.
Help patches
Each help patch is an ordinary Toy that teaches one idea. The diagram shows the Patch; the preview shows its Frame. Open it in TuneToys to play and edit it.
1. Even out the low end
beginner Teaches: low_threshold, low_ratio, low_makeup, mid_threshold, output
Booming bass hits under a steady chord: only the low band is compressed.
MIDI1 lane
Audio2ch
Fundamental pitch, capped below Nyquist; detune uses cents. Range: 20–20000 Hz. Default: 220 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
Output gain. Range: 0–0.5 ×. Default: 0.12 ×. Linear scale. Units: linear gain.
×
Selects the implemented algorithm. Choices are discrete and are not LFO targets. Range: 0–7. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Cycle offset; Gate rising edges restart phase from this position. Range: 0–1 cycles. Default: 0 cycles. Linear scale. Units: cycles.
cycles
Pitch offset in cents. Range: -1200–1200 cents. Default: 0 cents. Linear scale. Units: cents.
cents
On or off. A rising edge retriggers; held on runs the oscillator or envelope. A control cable switches it at 0.5. Range: 0–1. Default: 1. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Semitones a full pitch bend on the MIDI input moves the note, up or down. Range: 0–48 st. Default: 2 st. Linear scale. Units: st.
st
Time constant of the slide from one MIDI note's pitch to the next; 0 jumps. Range: 0–2000 ms. Default: 0 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
Audio2ch
Audio2ch
Done1 lane
Time to rise to full gain. Range: 0–10000 ms. Default: 10 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
Time to fall to sustain in ADSR, or zero in AD. Range: 0–10000 ms. Default: 120 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
On or off. A rising edge retriggers; held on runs the oscillator or envelope. A control cable switches it at 0.5. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Selects the implemented algorithm. Choices are discrete and are not LFO targets. Range: 0–2. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Continuous concave/linear/convex segment curvature. Range: -1–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Repeats complete envelope cycles while Gate is held. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Restart from the current gain or reset to zero on a rising Gate. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Duration of the held part in repeating ADSR/AR cycles. Range: 0–10000 ms. Default: 100 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
MIDI1 lane
Audio2ch
Fundamental pitch, capped below Nyquist; detune uses cents. Range: 20–20000 Hz. Default: 220 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
Output gain. Range: 0–0.5 ×. Default: 0.12 ×. Linear scale. Units: linear gain.
×
Selects the implemented algorithm. Choices are discrete and are not LFO targets. Range: 0–7. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Cycle offset; Gate rising edges restart phase from this position. Range: 0–1 cycles. Default: 0 cycles. Linear scale. Units: cycles.
cycles
Pitch offset in cents. Range: -1200–1200 cents. Default: 0 cents. Linear scale. Units: cents.
cents
On or off. A rising edge retriggers; held on runs the oscillator or envelope. A control cable switches it at 0.5. Range: 0–1. Default: 1. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Semitones a full pitch bend on the MIDI input moves the note, up or down. Range: 0–48 st. Default: 2 st. Linear scale. Units: st.
st
Time constant of the slide from one MIDI note's pitch to the next; 0 jumps. Range: 0–2000 ms. Default: 0 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
Audio2ch
Boom.in2ch
dB
Position on a two-lane mix: −1 left, 0 centre, 1 right. Constant-power for a one-lane channel, balance for a two-lane one; ignored on other widths. Range: -1–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless. The ring fills from zero for this signed linear range. Manual editing is unavailable while this host owns the control.
Read only
Keys.in2ch
dB
Position on a two-lane mix: −1 left, 0 centre, 1 right. Constant-power for a one-lane channel, balance for a two-lane one; ignored on other widths. Range: -1–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless. The ring fills from zero for this signed linear range. Manual editing is unavailable while this host owns the control.
Read only
Mix output level in decibels, after every channel. −60 dB is off; 0 dB leaves the sum unchanged. Range: -60–12 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
Audio2ch
Audio2ch
Top of the low band. Range: 20–2000 Hz. Default: 200 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
Bottom of the high band. Range: 500–16000 Hz. Default: 3000 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
The low band compresses above this peak level. Range: -60–0 dBFS. Default: -24 dBFS. Linear scale. Units: dBFS.
dBFS
Low band input/output slope above threshold. Range: 1–20 :1. Default: 4 :1. Linear scale. Units: :1.
:1
Low band gain-reduction attack. Range: 0.1–100 ms. Default: 20 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Low band gain-reduction recovery. Range: 10–2000 ms. Default: 200 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Low band gain after compression. Range: 0–24 dB. Default: 4 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
The mid band compresses above this peak level. Range: -60–0 dBFS. Default: -24 dBFS. Linear scale. Units: dBFS.
dBFS
Mid band input/output slope above threshold. Range: 1–20 :1. Default: 2 :1. Linear scale. Units: :1.
:1
Mid band gain-reduction attack. Range: 0.1–100 ms. Default: 10 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Mid band gain-reduction recovery. Range: 10–2000 ms. Default: 150 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Mid band gain after compression. Range: 0–24 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
The high band compresses above this peak level. Range: -60–0 dBFS. Default: -24 dBFS. Linear scale. Units: dBFS.
dBFS
High band input/output slope above threshold. Range: 1–20 :1. Default: 2 :1. Linear scale. Units: :1.
:1
High band gain-reduction attack. Range: 0.1–100 ms. Default: 5 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
High band gain-reduction recovery. Range: 10–2000 ms. Default: 100 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
High band gain after compression. Range: 0–24 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Gain after the bands are summed. Range: -24–24 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
Audio2ch
Connections as text
- Oscillator “bass” audio output connected to Envelope audio input
- Envelope audio output connected to Mixer boom.in input
- Oscillator “keys” audio output connected to Mixer keys.in input
- Mixer audio output connected to Multiband compressor audio input
- Multiband compressor audio output connected to Patch outputs audio input
- The low band squeezes the bass hits while the chord in the mid band keeps its level.
- With every ratio at 1 the three bands add back flat, so the node is transparent until it compresses.
2. De-ess the top band
intermediate Teaches: high_solo, high_hz, high_threshold, high_ratio, high_attack, high_release
The high band of a multiband compressor turns down a synthetic voice's esses.
MIDI1 lane
Audio2ch
Fundamental pitch, capped below Nyquist; detune uses cents. Range: 20–20000 Hz. Default: 220 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
Output gain. Range: 0–0.5 ×. Default: 0.12 ×. Linear scale. Units: linear gain.
×
Selects the implemented algorithm. Choices are discrete and are not LFO targets. Range: 0–7. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Cycle offset; Gate rising edges restart phase from this position. Range: 0–1 cycles. Default: 0 cycles. Linear scale. Units: cycles.
cycles
Pitch offset in cents. Range: -1200–1200 cents. Default: 0 cents. Linear scale. Units: cents.
cents
On or off. A rising edge retriggers; held on runs the oscillator or envelope. A control cable switches it at 0.5. Range: 0–1. Default: 1. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Semitones a full pitch bend on the MIDI input moves the note, up or down. Range: 0–48 st. Default: 2 st. Linear scale. Units: st.
st
Time constant of the slide from one MIDI note's pitch to the next; 0 jumps. Range: 0–2000 ms. Default: 0 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
Audio2ch
Audio2ch
Filter cutoff, capped at 0.45 times sample rate. Range: 20–20000 Hz. Default: 1200 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
State-variable filter Q. Range: 0.5–12 Q. Default: 0.707 Q. Linear scale. Units: Q.
Q
Selects the implemented algorithm. Choices are discrete and are not LFO targets. Range: 0–5. Default: 1. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
One or two cascaded state-variable stages; notch/all-pass retain their response semantics. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Audio2ch
Peak amplitude of white noise. Each channel and node path owns a repeatable independent stream; preparation restarts it. Range: 0–0.5 ×. Default: 0.12 ×. Linear scale. Units: linear gain.
×
Audio2ch
Audio2ch
Filter cutoff, capped at 0.45 times sample rate. Range: 20–20000 Hz. Default: 1200 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
State-variable filter Q. Range: 0.5–12 Q. Default: 0.707 Q. Linear scale. Units: Q.
Q
Selects the implemented algorithm. Choices are discrete and are not LFO targets. Range: 0–5. Default: 1. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
One or two cascaded state-variable stages; notch/all-pass retain their response semantics. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Reduces resonant gain as Q increases. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Audio2ch
Audio2ch
Done1 lane
Time to rise to full gain. Range: 0–10000 ms. Default: 10 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
Time to fall to sustain in ADSR, or zero in AD. Range: 0–10000 ms. Default: 120 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
On or off. A rising edge retriggers; held on runs the oscillator or envelope. A control cable switches it at 0.5. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Selects the implemented algorithm. Choices are discrete and are not LFO targets. Range: 0–2. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Continuous concave/linear/convex segment curvature. Range: -1–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Repeats complete envelope cycles while Gate is held. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Restart from the current gain or reset to zero on a rising Gate. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Duration of the held part in repeating ADSR/AR cycles. Range: 0–10000 ms. Default: 100 ms. Linear scale. Units: ms.
ms
Audio2ch
Formant.in2ch
dB
Position on a two-lane mix: −1 left, 0 centre, 1 right. Constant-power for a one-lane channel, balance for a two-lane one; ignored on other widths. Range: -1–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless. The ring fills from zero for this signed linear range. Manual editing is unavailable while this host owns the control.
Read only
Bursts.in2ch
dB
Position on a two-lane mix: −1 left, 0 centre, 1 right. Constant-power for a one-lane channel, balance for a two-lane one; ignored on other widths. Range: -1–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless. The ring fills from zero for this signed linear range. Manual editing is unavailable while this host owns the control.
Read only
Mix output level in decibels, after every channel. −60 dB is off; 0 dB leaves the sum unchanged. Range: -60–12 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
Audio2ch
Audio2ch
Top of the low band. Range: 20–2000 Hz. Default: 200 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
Bottom of the high band. Range: 500–16000 Hz. Default: 5000 Hz. Logarithmic scale. Units: Hz.
Hz
The low band compresses above this peak level. Range: -60–0 dBFS. Default: -24 dBFS. Linear scale. Units: dBFS.
dBFS
Low band input/output slope above threshold. Range: 1–20 :1. Default: 3 :1. Linear scale. Units: :1.
:1
Low band gain-reduction attack. Range: 0.1–100 ms. Default: 20 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Low band gain-reduction recovery. Range: 10–2000 ms. Default: 200 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Low band gain after compression. Range: 0–24 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
The mid band compresses above this peak level. Range: -60–0 dBFS. Default: -24 dBFS. Linear scale. Units: dBFS.
dBFS
Mid band input/output slope above threshold. Range: 1–20 :1. Default: 2 :1. Linear scale. Units: :1.
:1
Mid band gain-reduction attack. Range: 0.1–100 ms. Default: 10 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Mid band gain-reduction recovery. Range: 10–2000 ms. Default: 150 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
Mid band gain after compression. Range: 0–24 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
The high band compresses above this peak level. Range: -60–0 dBFS. Default: -36 dBFS. Linear scale. Units: dBFS.
dBFS
High band input/output slope above threshold. Range: 1–20 :1. Default: 6 :1. Linear scale. Units: :1.
:1
High band gain-reduction attack. Range: 0.1–100 ms. Default: 0.5 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
High band gain-reduction recovery. Range: 10–2000 ms. Default: 60 ms. Logarithmic scale. Units: ms.
ms
High band gain after compression. Range: 0–24 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
While any band is soloed, only soloed bands are heard. Range: 0–1. Default: 0. Linear scale. Units: unitless.
Gain after the bands are summed. Range: -24–24 dB. Default: 0 dB. Linear scale. Units: dB.
dB
Audio2ch
Connections as text
- Oscillator audio output connected to Filter “formant” audio input
- Noise audio output connected to Filter “ess” audio input
- Filter “ess” audio output connected to Envelope audio input
- Filter “formant” audio output connected to Mixer formant.in input
- Envelope audio output connected to Mixer bursts.in input
- Mixer audio output connected to Multiband compressor audio input
- Multiband compressor audio output connected to Patch outputs audio input
- Only the band above High split is compressed, so the vowel below it is never turned down.
- Solo the high band to hear what it catches. A keyed compressor is the other way to de-ess: see the Compressor's help patches.
Related nodes
- Compressor Peak/RMS compression with a sidechain key input, detector filtering, hold, adaptive release and channel linking.
- Crossover Splits audio into 2–4 Linkwitz-Riley bands, output as one band-major bundle whose bands sum back flat.
- Limiter Linked or independent sample-peak limiting with hold and adaptive release.
- Parametric EQ Parametric EQ with up to 32 reorderable RBJ bands: cuts, shelves, bells and notches, per-band bypass and output trim.