Reference Manual

337 Live Audio Effect Reference
both an upper and lower threshold, allowing for two types of dynamics processing to be used
simultaneously per band.
22.22.1 Dynamics Processing Theory
To understand how to use the Multiband Dynamics device, it helps to understand the four differ-
ent methods of manipulating dynamics.
When we use the term “compression,” we’re typically talking about lowering the level of signals
that exceed a threshold. This is how Live’s Compressor (page 299) works, and is more ac-
curately called downward compression because it pushes loud signals down, thus reducing the
dynamic range. But it is also possible to reduce a signal’s dynamic range by raising the levels
of signals that are below a threshold. This much-less-common form of compression is called
upward compression. As you can see from this diagram, employing either type of compression
results in a signal with a smaller dynamic range than the original.
Downward and Upward Compression.
The opposite of compression is expansion. A typical expander lowers the levels of signals that
are below a threshold. This is how Live’s Gate (page 323) works, and is more accurately
called downward expansion because it pushes quiet signals down, thus increasing the dynamic
range. It is also possible to increase a signal’s dynamic range by raising the levels of signals that
are above a threshold. Like upward compression, this technique is known as upward expansion
and is much less common. This diagram shows that either type of expansion results in a signal
with a larger dynamic range.
original
dynamic
range
smaller
dynamic
range
downward compression
(common)
original
dynamic
range
smaller
dynamic
range
upward compression
(uncommon)