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Applying dynamics processing can affect the overall loudness
of the signal. To compensate for this, a gain control allows you
to adjust the signal volume post-processing.
Audio engineers often refer to a post-processor gain control as "make-
up gain" because it "makes up" for any volume changes caused by the
processing.
Three Flavors
The MTK contains three different types of dynamics processors,
all of which are available at once:
•
Expander—An expander exaggerates the differences
between a signal's loudest parts and its softest parts,
"expanding" the signal's dynamic range. You can use
the expander to make a mix's original dynamics more
pronounced, creating more energy and excitement. You
can also use it to make unwanted background noises
quieter, or remove them altogether by setting the expander
to function as a "gate. "
•
Compressor—The opposite of an expander, a compressor
reduces the difference between a mix's loudest and softest
parts, "compressing" the dynamic range. This smooths
out volume peaks, making the signal more manageable.
Compression can also be used to create a tighter, thicker
sound.
•
Limiter—A limiter "limits" the volume of a signal's peaks. It
functions much like a compressor, but in a more extreme
fashion. In mastering, limiting is used to maximize the
volume of the mix, creating a loud, "in your face" sound.
The Power of Multiband Processing
To enhance their power in mastering applications, the MTK's
expander and compressor function as "multiband" processors.
This allows each of them to process three separate frequency
bands at once, with different dynamics settings applied to
each band. It's like having three stereo expanders and three
stereo compressors, all working independently on different
frequency ranges of the mix.
High
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Here's how it works: Before the signal reaches the dynamics
processors, it's split into three separate frequency bands—low,
mid, and high. The points at which the bands are split are
called low and high "split points. " The frequencies selected for
the split points determine the frequency width of the bands.
From there, each band is processed with its own expander and
compressor. After processing, you can adjust the levels of each
the three bands using the MTK's dynamics mixer.
In mastering, multiband dynamics processing is an extremely
powerful tool, allowing a degree of dynamics control that
would be unattainable with a single-band processor.
In addition to its powerful level-shaping capabilities, multiband dynamics
processing can be used as an equalization tool. Since it manipulates the
volume of the different frequency ranges of the mix, the perceived volume
of specific tonal elements can be easily emphasized or de-emphasized.
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