Audio effects
Multiband Compressor
Compresses low, mid and high frequencies separately.
In this guide
Add it to a track
Select the destination track, open Plugins, and choose Add Effect. Find this device in Library → Effects. Effects process the signal from the devices before them in the chain.
Controls
| Control | What to listen or look for |
|---|---|
| Low / Mid | Sets the boundary between the low and middle frequency bands. |
| Mid / High | Sets the boundary between the middle and high frequency bands. |
| Output | Sets the signal level leaving this stage. |
| Mix | Blends the original signal with the processed signal; 100% gives only the processed sound. |
| Knee | Softens the transition into compression around the threshold. |
| Low Threshold | Sets the level at which the dynamics processor starts responding. |
| Low Ratio | Sets how strongly levels above the threshold are compressed. |
| Low Attack | Sets how quickly this stage responds when the signal rises. |
| Low Release | Sets how quickly this stage returns as the signal falls. |
| Low Gain | Sets the signal level leaving this stage. |
| Low Solo | Auditions this signal path while excluding other paths in the same group. |
| Low Bypass | Skips processing for this band while keeping its settings. |
| Mid Threshold | Sets the level at which the dynamics processor starts responding. |
| Mid Ratio | Sets how strongly levels above the threshold are compressed. |
| Mid Attack | Sets how quickly this stage responds when the signal rises. |
| Mid Release | Sets how quickly this stage returns as the signal falls. |
| Mid Gain | Sets the signal level leaving this stage. |
| Mid Solo | Auditions this signal path while excluding other paths in the same group. |
| Mid Bypass | Skips processing for this band while keeping its settings. |
| High Threshold | Sets the level at which the dynamics processor starts responding. |
| High Ratio | Sets how strongly levels above the threshold are compressed. |
| High Attack | Sets how quickly this stage responds when the signal rises. |
| High Release | Sets how quickly this stage returns as the signal falls. |
| High Gain | Sets the signal level leaving this stage. |
| High Solo | Auditions this signal path while excluding other paths in the same group. |
| High Bypass | Skips processing for this band while keeping its settings. |
Work with this device
Start with a short passage that represents your material. Change one control at a time. Compare at a similar listening level, using the device's power control to bypass it. Save a version of the project before making a large change.
Current behavior
Low, Mid and High each have independent Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Gain, Solo and Bypass controls. Threshold is −60–0 dB; Ratio 1–20:1; Attack 0.1–300 ms; Release 5–3,000 ms; Gain −24–+24 dB. Low / Mid and Mid / High choose the crossovers. Solo a band briefly to inspect it, then restore the whole signal before judging balance.
Dawnamite user guide for macOS. For changes between versions, see update history.