🎛️ Multiband Compression in FL Studio – Full Guide
Multiband compression is an advanced mixing & mastering technique that allows you to control different frequency ranges separately. Instead of compressing the whole sound, you can apply different compression settings to the low, mid, and high frequencies for a more balanced mix.
📌 1️⃣ What is Multiband Compression?
Unlike regular compression, which affects the entire frequency range, multiband compression splits the audio into multiple bands (e.g., Low, Mid, High) and compresses each one independently.
💡 Why use it?
✔ Tames boomy lows, harsh mids, or piercing highs separately.
✔ Keeps vocals, drums, and instruments balanced in a mix.
✔ Makes masters louder without distorting the bass.
📌 2️⃣ Stock Plugin: Maximus (FL Studio’s Multiband Compressor)
FL Studio has a powerful multiband compressor called Maximus, which lets you compress Low, Mid, and High frequencies separately.
🛠️ Basic Maximus Controls:
- Low Band (Bass Control) – Controls low-end (kick, bass).
- Mid Band (Body & Warmth) – Controls mids (vocals, guitars, snare).
- High Band (Air & Presence) – Controls highs (hi-hats, brightness).
📌 3️⃣ How to Use Maximus for Multiband Compression (Step-by-Step Guide)
🎤 Vocal Multiband Compression (More Clarity & Presence)
1️⃣ Open Maximus on your Vocal Bus.
2️⃣ Click the Low Band → Set Ratio: 2:1, Threshold: -15dB (Control boomy low-end).
3️⃣ Click the Mid Band → Set Ratio: 3:1, Threshold: -12dB (Tighten the mids for clarity).
4️⃣ Click the High Band → Set Ratio: 1.5:1, Threshold: -10dB (Smooth out harsh highs).
5️⃣ Adjust Gain for Each Band to restore lost volume.
6️⃣ A/B test with the Bypass Button to hear the difference.
🎚️ Before: Vocals have uneven low-end and harsh highs.
🎚️ After: Vocals sound cleaner, balanced, and polished.
🥁 Drum Bus Multiband Compression (Tighter & Punchier Drums)
1️⃣ Insert Maximus on your Drum Bus.
2️⃣ Click Low Band → Set Ratio: 4:1, Threshold: -10dB, Attack: 10ms (Tames boomy kicks).
3️⃣ Click Mid Band → Set Ratio: 3:1, Threshold: -8dB, Attack: 5ms (Controls snare/body).
4️⃣ Click High Band → Set Ratio: 2:1, Threshold: -6dB, Attack: 3ms (Balances hi-hats).
5️⃣ Adjust Gain for Each Band to restore volume.
🎚️ Before: Drums sound muddy and unbalanced.
🎚️ After: Drums sound tight, punchy, and clear.
🎛️ Mastering Multiband Compression (Final Polish & Loudness)
1️⃣ Insert Maximus on the Master Channel.
2️⃣ Click Low Band → Ratio: 2:1, Threshold: -14dB (Gently controls bass).
3️⃣ Click Mid Band → Ratio: 3:1, Threshold: -10dB (Smooths mids for warmth).
4️⃣ Click High Band → Ratio: 2:1, Threshold: -8dB (Softens harsh highs).
5️⃣ Increase the Post Gain for a louder, balanced mix.
🎚️ Before: The master lacks cohesion and control.
🎚️ After: The master sounds tight, loud, and professional.
📌 4️⃣ Creative Multiband Compression Tricks
🔹 Parallel Multiband Compression (More Thickness)
💡 Goal: Add thickness without over-compressing the original sound.
🛠️ Steps:
1️⃣ Duplicate your track.
2️⃣ Apply heavy Maximus compression on the copy.
3️⃣ Mix it low underneath the original track.
🎚️ Result: The sound stays natural but gains more weight & fullness.
🔹 Multiband Sidechain Compression (Cleaner Mixes)
💡 Goal: Duck only the low frequencies of the bass when the kick hits.
🛠️ Steps:
1️⃣ Insert Fruity Limiter on the Bass.
2️⃣ Route the Kick to the Bass Track and Sidechain it.
3️⃣ In Fruity Limiter → Comp Mode, select Low Band Only.
4️⃣ Adjust Threshold so only the bass lows duck under the kick.
🎚️ Result: The kick stays punchy while the bass remains full.
🚀 Next Lesson: Dynamic EQ vs Multiband Compression – When to Use Each!
Would you like me to cover Maximus' Limiting & Saturation Features next? 🚀
