Multiband Compression for Vocals with Mixing Engineer Tony Maserati

Grammy-winning mixing engineer Tony Maserati (Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz, Jay-Z, Beyoncé) demonstrates his approach to using the C4 Multiband Compressor on vocals. The information in this video also applies to Waves C6 Multiband Compressor plugin.
C4: www.waves.com/plugins/c4-multi...
C6: www.waves.com/plugins/c6-multi...

[@charliestubbs6151]

"Most of you know C4 as a multiband compressor, and it is that.. But actually, I like to use it as a multiband compressor."

[@domdraper3221]

Wow you’re edgy as hell.

[@garbygarb31]

@@domdraper3221 That's what Tony said..

[@benjaminwohlrab4482]

Wow thanks for that comment

[@rickyanthony]

Nah. He didn't say that..Stop trying to be smart.

[@mmbaz8622]

He’s using it as Dynamic EQ.

[@OneHalfOfBent]

Imagine having to listen to that all day long. Being a mix engineer must be hell sometimes.

[@queenpurple8433]

It’s honestly ALWAYS fun if you think of what you’re working on as just sound. Don’t judge it, it’s just sound. And working with sound is fun

[@chefcurry8983]

What's wrong with it ?

[@Vaguenificent]

its not hell just your ears get tired and hearing it sooo many times over and over the song starts to sound bad, so you have to take breaks before you start messing with stuff that doesn't need adjusting

[@AsyncLive]

@@chefcurry8983 It's just a material to work with, but hey it could be some smart-ass indie pop with cultural references and esoteric philosophy, or it could be just a cheesy cheap-ass pop appealing to the dumb masses... i guess it's part of the deal hahah

[@HariboLP1212]

it can drive you crazy though, especially when you hear to single words or just short loops :D

This video once again proves - sound engineering is pure science. I started making my own music, and I do struggle at mixing part. It's just pure science to make all song parts sound in harmony and nicely. My big respect goes to all sound engineers. They are awesome.

[@queenpurple8433]

Also it’s art

[@BreakBeta]

Michael Brauer's approach is more about feeling, which works well for me.

[@DB-ju7vp]

I'm tellin ya ....... mixing is really what makes or break a song ( more or less ) I struggle with mixing as well .....its really no right way to do it you just got to make it your own sound

[@NormanTiner]

@@queenpurple8433 it's definitely a mix of art and science. Approaching it purely as a science is how we end up with sterile, technically proficient music that's lost all character and feeling in the process. The stuff that's so boring you forget there's even music playing.

[@weddingtalk2018]

There ARE standards but soud engineering is far more about sensation than linear thinking which leans far on the creative talent side than science its doesn't matter if you know the standards if you dont,have the ear that tells you what standards to use where

[@56mayer]

Tony is amazing with this kind of stuff. I remember watching videos like this when I was first starting out and being blown away. Now it’s part of the arsenal. Thanks for the inspiration, Tony

[@theloser5459]

I´m glad to visit such amazing tutorial. Thank you Tony and Waves!

[@suburbansage]

love hearing tony explain. always smooth with it and easy / clear to follow. clean demonstrations

[@IliansGitarElever]

Brilliant tutorial by brilliant mixing engineer! Thank you for sharing Mr. Maserati :)

[@trainerbilly2302]

Great tutorial! I especially like the enhanced presence without relying too much on regular eq, which is why I look up stuff like this in the first place.

[@gpr4eva]

So glad they make dynamic EQs now

[@1masterfader]

Thank you so much Tony. This information is priceless. It helps build my ears in hearing things that my clients and the music Lover may never hear but will appreciate.

[@DiegoSandovalMusica]

This is one of the best teaching videos EVER, since i saw it one year ago my productions has totally change for better, great plug in and such a great teacher!

[@lasciencedelamusique6245]

The best vocal multi band vocal tutorial i've seen by far... Thank you Waves and Tony

[@stevo73881]

Thanks Tony. Out of all the mixers/producers on KZbin giving lessons, your the best teacher. You explain it so well. Thanks again.

[@SPLMixing]

Absolutely brilliant, thanks Tony!

[@SuperDSLAM]

Great approach Tony!! I just tried this and it's really a slick way to get the vocals to stand out in the mix as well as adding presence. Thanks for the video!!

[@jasongoldstein97]

This is a good video. Very good use of the c4. Also helpful to see what Tony considers the harsh band of the male vocal. Thank you waves, and Tony for all you do. I am going to take what I learned and use it on the choir.

[@piano25]

Very nice ! THANK you for sharing this! Thank you WAVES and Tony!

[@musicschool4593]

Fantasic Video. One of the best i have ever seen on the net. Thanks mate.

[@YourxVentii]

"I recently was doing a mix of a beyonce track" subtle flex. I see you Tony.

[@UptempoMusicLessons]

Humble brag.

[@WickedHill]

I know you’re just joking but this is crazy how we’re getting tips from these people lol

[@user-ux1vj9vx7s]

@@UptempoMusicLessons That’s not what that means

[@psuede3775]

@@UptempoMusicLessons is it a humble brag or is he showing that he knows what he's doing

[@willischirwa3992]

One of the best vocal mixing videos for me ever. Because I did use multiband for vocals ever since I could afford one. Means already in the days of hardware. But I always felt I must be doing something wrong because nobody else seemed to do it. The adverse mantra was, do not use multiband for anything but the masterbus. Or else you will ruin your input signal whatever it is. So I often tried to quit but always came back to using multiband compression on vocals, esp lead vocals. Now to see a world class mixing engineer doing it is such a confirmation and assurance that I am thankful for that aspect only, but more so for the skillful use of it. Because I learnt quite a bit of new things from the master. Thanks so much for sharing

[@nfijef]

Active responsive EQ, Best info Ive seen in a while, thanks Tony!!

[@chopituprecords3004]

Been a fan of his since I started using his plugins and his approach on mixing I have a great respect for

[@werticocaingray5896]

Thanks for sharing Tony. Really appreciate your insights.

[@JamesCurwood]

Wow, this is a lot of information in a few minutes. I want to watch this again and again.

[@ForTiorIJohnny]

damn i feel like such a noob now. i used to automate EQ´s where necessary and i always felt something was meh. then i tried this and BOOM new revelation. awesome stuff.

[@ArtByTrahnay]

Literally me right now.. 5 years later.

[@maxhernandez5202]

Everyone will feel like a NOOB when watching MR Maserati mixing anything.

[@TheBlashMusic]

Eq automation actually sounds more transparent than any form of compression IMO, but sometimes compression can save a lot of time.

[@Test-ue5po]

@@TheBlashMusic Yeah but you're not doing that on every part of the hooks, bridges and verses that is just not ideal... Tonys mixes are phenomenal with MB if yours aren't transparent you need to mess with your threshold, attack, release or range. Automating EQ is so tedious you may never meet deadlines lol

[@enricoianniello5611]

@kickdje idk which of them is the best, i've got mb and c6, mb is more easy to use, but c6 seems to me more professional, idk really, also on de esser, waves de esser or fabfilter? there are too many plugins that do the same thing ahah, so confusing

[@robertmurphy4689]

Tony is the man! Thanks for sharing these tips.

[@titop168]

wave, thank you so much. C4 being taught by the best.. much love!

[@TheStudioJacksonville]

This is amazing. I have automated eq's because when transferring to falsetto you lose the deeper tones, but this just makes it sooo much easier, and so much cleaner

[@brainywookie5204]

Never old always useful Thank You Mr. Tony Maserati

[@Snarizard]

Waves C4 has always been my favorite plugin for this exact reason. Such a versatile plugin, suitable for any application where you want to delicately affect a frequency without doing away with it completely.

[@FriedrichHabetlerMusic]

Very very helpfull tutorial!

[@FriedrichHabetlerMusic]

O.I.C RECORDING GENERATION I've just said it was a helpful tutorial.... It's pretty obvious that u need good vocals to that.O.o

[@Vestu]

CLA Vocals and C4 saved my vox mix. Thank you, Waves Audio.

[@johnrpittenger]

I use multiband Dynamics a lot. I can't believe I never thought about it for vocals. Thanks

[@Anders01]

Excellent presentation. I haven't tried multiband compression on vocals yet, it will be interesting to practice.

[@musicmann1967]

Excellent tutorial. It's much precise to eq certain tracks dynamically with a multicomp as opposed to statically with a regular eq.

[@andrewkigen]

Thanks for the great information!

[@ernestbuckley8671]

I`m glad Waves did a tutorial on the C4 because its a great plug. Such a powerful (but dangerous) plug. I also like the way Maserati explains things… he also lets the music play and doesn`t talk over it which is very helpful.

[@Drugvision0]

10/10 Tutorial and extra points for getting straight to the point

[@nicolasgregoire76]

Legendary lesson, thank you Tony M

[@NEMdaTruth305]

Tony your the best we need more videos like this waves

[@verdrehtewelten]

the best tip ever. thanx so much for this great tip. new level for my vocals^^

[@nickwarren131]

Interesting I actually recently used a multiband compressor on a recording I did of a choir. They had way too many females and not enough male members. I used a multiband compressor to boost the ranges of tenor/bass singers. I loved the sound it gave. It sounded much better than using EQ.

[@AsyncLive]

great tutorial and nice multiband compressor, gotta try this C4 tonight

[@rickdeaguiar-musicreflecti7692]

Excellent tutorial. Learned a bunch from Tony. What a smart mixer :)

[@Pjaysusity]

Very good demonstration/application of multiband use 🇹🇹

[@mikedowd66]

He's such a soft spoken guy that when he tries to demonstrate a loud voice during his dynamic range explanation, he can hardly do it. lol. Love this guy.

[@maneava]

Great advices, thank you for sharing your experience

[@jumalsam]

BRILLIANT!!! Thanks for this

[@Crossfire2003]

The king of mixing/mastering at his finest!

[@pharaohonthetrack2008]

Greatly appreciate your time Thanks Tony, ima start watching more of your videos. I'm going to give you a shout when I finally make it 💯 #PharaohOnTheTrack

[@justinleonard3400]

Wooooow, the difference from 5:22 to 5:26 after the top end was introduced to the C4... unbelievably noticeable, almost immediately turned to pure butter with nothing else and barely any tweaks. So happy I watched this.

[@digital_cratez9116]

The day I learned upward compression I was so blown away. Now it just seems like a standard mixing element, although I rarely need it to be honest.

[@shahriarTAVAKOLY]

Awesome tutorial?!!!I watched this tutorial many many times over n over till finally i’ve got the concept perfectly. Now I’m able to not only target and calm down hursh melodies, but also I figured out how to use this concept to get rid off the ambient HISSSS that comes with boosting high frequencies

[@SPKRX]

wow I've been doing this for a while because I liked how it sounded without realizing that's what I was doing when you put it in those terms.

[@jloverecords]

Great innovating thinking on that C4 Plug In .. Most definitely going to give this a try

[@romecalig1905]

I could listen to this guy for Hours!!!!

[@vedantamusic5001]

Amazing content! Thanks Tony

[@BjornFSE]

Love IT. Informative and Excellent Detail Mr Maserati. Still one of My Favorite Plugin Bundle in Waves is the Tony Maserati Plugins

[@Mio-fu1sr]

very useful technique, it keeps the natural sound and i have perfect control,it' all about the atack and the release,can't thank you enough

[@abinash02]

Found it 7 years later. Yet timeless knowledge.

[@drewmiller2054]

Thank you Tony, Very insightful video. I learned alot :)

[@kaspakilla]

Totally Amazing

[@haveagooddavid]

Very helpful! Pumped to mix some vocals

[@carlosalbertomoralesramos9995]

This is why a brain was given for ! Thanks thanks ! I will try this for sure !

[@RBGMusicEnt]

your the best tony, it worked perfect.

[@MangaNeutronic]

wish i sore this before my last project, thanks for the vid!

[@Zisch2]

Most underated tip ever. Waves C1 SC or a flexible desser (which allows to grab lower frequencies) are heading in the same direction

[@JohnBullfrost]

Thank you Tony!

[@MrLucky1Luciano]

c4 upgraded my mixings to a whole new level

[@thejuiced1_]

This just changed the game for me!

[@AudioCollege]

Very interesting concept, using a multiband compressor to better control vocals. Will have to dive into this topic more.

[@dominicperrone4675]

“Finding the correct attack and release times is really the key”... dude what?! Thank you! 😂😭 supergem

[@TheColonyRed]

now this is more advanced stuff ! nice!

[@dwdrummer0]

C4 was my most used and favorite plugin before waves started releasing all the API and NEVE clone plugs. I still use it all the time.

[@Adonaistudiopuulumix]

Gray work Mr Tony

[@x1plus1x]

What kept catching my attention were the plosives on "Playing games", and "with your heart Babe."

[@TheIgnoramus]

Maserati is the man! I now realize how to correctly use the C4 been better.

[@MrAcapela]

thanks for sharing your knowledge in this vid

[@dul22]

Love the vacum cleaner in the back

[@twotonetheartist]

Excellent video!

[@lemonedkush692]

Thank you for nice info.

[@chishaun8466]

🔥🔥Tony in the clutch

[@jhopmusictv]

This is great!! Real... Professional... Tips!!💯

[@MaksymMalaiko]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@kbevelle]

That was deep I still got a lot to learn

[@Theboydevoye]

Best MB vocal tutorial!

[@Henkkamachine]

Excellent, thank you!

[@BassHitter]

Nice work bro!

[@amaze2n]

The lyrics of this song make me wonder about the meaning of existence itself. Well done Cody Longo for writing such a deep and horror-inducing song.

[@whitestork3896]

This guy has sex - the song

[@GarotoJhon777]

this is firee 🔥🔥

[@tigerrat8]

that's powerful advice thanks

[@Quant-Beat]

He is a master, really impressive.

[@Dayta]

i like the idea of using a method to solve the breathing sound problem. i often see people doing some handy work cutting each breath sound

[@brennyC]

its very helpful, thanks!

[@slxmeoyat757]

🧡 with this knowledge 🙏🙏

[@radthe5th]

I honestly feel like understand multi band for the first time after years of producing and owning this plugin

[@ZEROPROD000]

thanks tony ♥♥♥

[@13BeatKing]

Amazing info!! Thanks!!

[@lugibi1]

tHANKS ...CONGRATULATIONS...

[@kareydavis]

Awesome revelation for me. Dang.... all these years