How to Use Multiband Compression for Vocals: An advanced Guide

Vocal Compression is probably the most tricky plugin to master. Not only because it is often misunderstood, but also because of how complex it can get.

Parallel compression, sidechaining, multiband compression… all terms that can make beginner and, sometimes, intermediate producers question why they started on this path in the first place.

I’ve struggled with that at the beginning of my 10-year production career. So, in this post, I want to demystify multiband compression for vocals. I will give you a thorough and detailed explanation with step-by-step guides and checklists so you can also apply what you’re learning in real-time. You will also find a real-life example of me using a multi-band compressor on one of my songs with before and after results.

If you want to master vocal production, you can check out my ultimate vocal production guide and my rundown of the best vocal production gear to get the right tools you need. Also, specifically for this topic of compression, check out my short list of the 5 best compressors for vocal production.

So, launch your DAW and open your compressor plugin, and let’s take this step by step.

TLDR: Multiband Compression For Vocals

Multiband compression for vocals allows precise control over specific frequency ranges, enhancing clarity and consistency. It involves splitting the vocal into multiple frequency bands and applying compression to each independently. This technique helps address issues like sibilance, muddiness, or lack of presence without affecting the entire vocal. While powerful, it requires careful setup and adjustment to maintain a natural sound. Mastering multiband compression can significantly improve your vocal productions, offering more targeted processing than traditional single-band compression.

Understanding Multiband Compression for Vocal

Let’s break down multiband compression for vocals in a way that’s easy to grasp and apply. 

What is Multiband Compression?

Multiband compression is like having multiple compressors, each working on a specific frequency range of your vocal track. Here’s a simple diagram to illustrate:

Traditional Compression vs. Multiband Compression

Aspect	Traditional Compression	Multiband Compression
Frequency Treatment	Affects entire frequency range	Targets specific frequency bands
Flexibility	Limited control over specific issues	Precise control over problematic areas
Complexity	Simpler to use and set up	More complex, requires careful adjustment
CPU Usage	Lower	Higher

Key Benefits of Multiband Compression for Vocals

1. Targeted Control: Address specific frequency issues without affecting the entire vocal.

2. Enhanced Clarity: Manage problematic frequencies for improved overall clarity.

3. Consistent Tone: Maintain a more uniform vocal tone across different parts.

4. Increased Loudness: Push vocals forward in the mix without over-compression.

Common Frequency Bands for Vocal Multiband Compression

Here’s a step-by-step guide to understanding vocal frequency bands:

Step 1: Identify the low band (20 Hz – 250 Hz)

• Focus: Body and warmth
• Listen for: Fullness, but be cautious of muddiness

Step 2: Assess the low-mid band (250 Hz – 2 kHz)

• Focus: Clarity and definition
• Listen for: Boxiness or resonances that may need taming

Step 3: Examine the high-mid band (2 kHz – 5 kHz)

• Focus: Presence and intelligibility
•  Listen for: Harshness or lack of forwardness in the mix

Step 4: Evaluate the high band (5 kHz – 20 kHz)

• Focus: Air and brilliance
• Listen for: Sibilance issues or lack of “sparkle”

These bands are guidelines, not rules. Always use your ears and adjust based on the specific vocal you’re working with.

In the next section, we’ll dive into the practical steps of setting up multiband compression for your vocals. Get ready to transform your vocal tracks!

Setting Up Multiband Compression for Vocals

Ok, let’s dive into more detail. This process can seem daunting at first, but don’t worry; I’ll break it down into manageable steps.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Multiband Compressor Plugin

When it comes to picking a multiband compressor, you’ve got options. Here’s a quick comparison of some popular choices:

Pro Tip: Start with your DAW’s stock plugin. Once you understand the basics, you can explore more advanced options. 

Both Ableton and Logic have a great native library. If you want to learn more about them, check out my course 10 Day Singer-Producer. Click below to learn more about it and how it can help you upstart your music production journey.

Before diving in, let’s pinpoint those trouble spots.

Step 2: Identifying Problematic Frequency Ranges

1. Loop a representative section of your vocal.

2. Use an EQ with a narrow Q to boost and sweep through frequencies.

3. Listen for areas that sound unpleasant when boosted.

Common Problem Areas in Vocals:

• 200-300 Hz: Muddiness
• 2-3 kHz: Harshness
• 5-8 kHz: Sibilance

Step 3: Determining the Number of Bands and Crossover Points

Now, let’s set up our bands:

1. Start with four bands (you can adjust later):

•    Low: 50 Hz – 250 Hz
•    Low-Mid: 250 Hz – 2 kHz
•    High-Mid: 2 kHz – 5 kHz
•    High: 5 kHz – 20 kHz

2. Adjust crossover points based on your findings in Step 2.

Pro Tip: Don’t obsess over exact frequencies. Trust your ears!

Step 4: Initial Settings for Each Frequency Band

Here’s a starting point for each band:

Band	Threshold	Ratio	Attack	Release
Low	-12 dB	2:1	30 ms	150 ms
Low-Mid	-10 dB	3:1	20 ms	100 ms
High-Mid	-8 dB	2.5:1	15 ms	80 ms
High	-6 dB	2:1	10 ms	50 ms

Watch this video to see how I adjust these starting points using FabFilter Pro-MB.

Remember, these are just starting points. Here’s how to fine-tune:

1. Threshold: Lower for more compression, raise for less.

2. Ratio: Increase for more aggressive compression.

3. Attack: Faster to catch transients, slower for a more natural sound.

4. Release: Adjust to the rhythm of the vocal performance.

Quick Setup Checklist:

See here how I began actually listening to my voice under compression. So, yes, I start with the initial setting, but I am not tied to them. Notice, how I boost each band to hear its effect and then adjust.

As you always see me saying, don’t depend on ready-made recipes from another creator. These are great as a a start (I provide them as well). But don’ stop here, create your own style, one that fits with the overall context of your sound.

And one last tip that I’ve personally found extremely helpful… close your eyes and listen. Even though I appreciate good visual feedback from any plugin I use, at the end of the day, it’s the sound that matters.

So here is a before and after audio clips of the voice I was working on above. Listen and hear the difference.

Dry Signal (Before Compression)

Wet Signal (Multi-band Compression Applied)

Can you hear the difference?

In the next section, we’ll explore some advanced techniques to really make those vocals shine. 

Advanced Techniques for Effective Vocal Multiband Compression

Now that we’ve got our multiband compressor set up, let’s dive into some some advanced techniques. We’ll tackle each frequency range and show you how to solve common vocal issues while keeping things sounding natural.

1. Taming Harsh Sibilance in the High-Frequency Band

Sibilance (a high hiss sound)  can be like an ice pick to the ears. Here’s how to smooth it out:

Step-by-step guide:

1. Isolate the high band (usually 5 kHz and up)

2. Lower the threshold until you see compression on sibilant sounds

3. Use a higher ratio (4:1 or 5:1)

4. Set a fast attack (1-5 ms) and quick release (20-50 ms)

Pro Tip: Use the compressor’s sidechain EQ (if available) to focus on the 5-8 kHz range for more precise sibilance control.

2. Controlling Low-Mid Muddiness and Boominess

This is where vocals can get cloudy. Let’s clear things up:

Frequency Range	Issue	Solution
100-250 Hz	Boominess	Gentle compression (2:1 ratio)
250-500 Hz	Muddiness	Slightly more aggressive (3:1 ratio)

Settings guide:

• Threshold: Start at -12 dB and adjust
• Attack: 20-30 ms
• Release: 100-150 ms

3. Enhancing Vocal Presence and Clarity in the Mid-Range

This is where the magic happens for vocal intelligibility:

Mid-range enhancement checklist:

4. Balancing the Low-End for Fullness Without Overpowering the Mix

The key here is subtle control:

Low-end balancing technique:

1. Set band range: 60 Hz – 200 Hz

2. Use a low ratio (1.5:1 to 2:1)

3. Set a slower attack (30-50 ms) to preserve initial punch

4. Adjust release to track’s tempo (usually 100-200 ms)

5. Use makeup gain sparingly

5. Tips for Maintaining Natural-Sounding Vocals While Compressing

The goal is enhancement, not destruction. Here’s how to keep things organic:

Natural vocal compression tips:

1. Use parallel compression

• Blend compressed signal with dry signal
• Start at 50/50 and adjust to taste

2. Employ dynamic EQ for problem frequencies

3. Use gentle ratios (2:1 or lower) on most bands

4. Allow for dynamics by not squashing every band

5. A/B test frequently with the unprocessed vocal

Multiband Compression Cheat Sheet:

Band	Frequency Range	Key Focus	Typical Ratio	Attack	Release
High	5 kHz+	Sibilance control	4:1 – 5:1	1-5 ms	20-50 ms
Mid	1-4 kHz	Presence/Clarity	1.5:1 – 2:1	10-20 ms	50-100 ms
Low-Mid	250-500 Hz	Muddiness control	2:1 – 3:1	20-30 ms	100-150 ms
Low	60-200 Hz	Fullness/Balance	1.5:1 – 2:1	30-50 ms	100-200 ms

This is getting pretty advanced I know, but you’re here to level up your compression game. You can absolutely do it. Play around with it and experiment until you find something you like.

Before jumping to our next section, let me point you to a great YouTube video that brilliantly and succinctly explains multiband compression. There are some differences in method between us, but I think this is pretty solid.

In our next section, we’ll cover some common pitfalls to avoid when using multiband compression on vocals. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Vocal Multiband Compression

Before wrapping up this technical post, let’s mention some pitfalls that can trip up even experienced producers when using multiband compression on vocals. By understanding these common mistakes, you’ll be better equipped to avoid them and keep your vocals sounding top-notch.

1. Over-compression and its negative impact on vocal dynamics

Over-compression is like squeezing all the life out of your vocals. Here’s how to spot and avoid it:

Signs of over-compression:

Prevention Checklist:

Pro Tip: Use the “before/after” or A/B testing method frequently. Your ears can adapt to over-compressed sound quickly, so take regular breaks!

2. Inappropriate band splitting and its consequences

Incorrect band splitting can lead to phase issues and unnatural sound. Let’s break it down:

Common band-splitting mistakes:

1. Too many bands (more isn’t always better!)

2. Overlapping bands causing phase issues

3. Inappropriate crossover points for the vocal range

Band Splitting Best Practices:

• Start with 3-4 bands and adjust if necessary
• Use gentle slopes at crossover points (6-12 dB/octave)
• Align crossovers with natural vocal formants:
  •   Low/Low-Mid: ~250 Hz
  •   Low-Mid/High-Mid: ~2 kHz
  •   High-Mid/High: ~5 kHz

3. Neglecting to adjust makeup gain for each band

Proper makeup gain is crucial for maintaining the right balance. Here’s why:

Impact of neglecting makeup gain:

• Altered frequency balance
• Loss of overall level
• Inconsistent dynamics across bands

Makeup Gain Adjustment Process:

1. Solo each band

2. Apply compression

3. Adjust makeup gain to match uncompressed level

4. Repeat for each band

5. Fine-tune in the context of the full mix

4. Ignoring the interaction between multiband compression and other vocal processes

Multiband compression doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Consider its place in your vocal chain:

Vocal Processing Order Experiment:

Try these configurations and note the differences:

A. EQ → Multiband Comp → De-esser → Limiter

B. Multiband Comp → EQ → De-esser → Limiter

C. De-esser → Multiband Comp → EQ → Limiter

Key Interactions to Watch:

• Multiband compression vs. EQ: They can enhance or counteract each other
• De-essing: May need adjustment after multiband compression
• Reverb: Apply after compression for more natural sound

Multiband Compression Mistake Prevention Cheat Sheet:

Mistake	Warning Signs	Prevention Tactics
Over-compression	Lack of dynamics, unnatural sustain	Use conservative settings, parallel compression
Poor band splitting	Phase issues, frequency imbalance	Start with 3-4 bands, align with vocal formants
Neglected makeup gain	Altered balance, inconsistent levels	Adjust each band individually, then in context
Ignoring processing order	Unexpected results, inefficient workflow	Experiment with different chains, listen critically

Remember, the goal is to enhance the vocal, not to process it into oblivion. Always trust your ears over your eyes, and don’t be afraid to break the rules if it sounds good!

Final Pro Tip: Create a preset of your favorite multiband compression settings as a starting point, but always tweak for each unique vocal. No two performances are exactly alike!

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to achieving professional, polished vocal sounds that sit perfectly in your mix. Keep experimenting, and don’t forget to take regular listening breaks to keep your ears fresh. Happy compressing!

Conclusion

Multiband compression is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your vocal production when used skillfully. By understanding its principles and applying the techniques we’ve explored, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle various vocal challenges in your mixes.

This was a tough post to write! I wish I had such an intricate and technical step-by-step guide to apply multip-band compressions. I hope this post speeds up your learning curve! 

Remember, practice and critical listening are key to mastering this technique. As you continue to refine your skills, you’ll find that multiband compression becomes an invaluable asset in your vocal processing toolkit.

FAQ