Best alternative to Pro-MB?

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Hi guys, I'm looking for a multiband compressor that, like Pro-MB, is transparent in the crossover. I want it mainly for kicks. I tried the ML8000 from McDSP but it drastically changes the sound of the kick :/ Do you know of any recommendations? Many, many thanks!

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I really like Minimal's Fuse Comp. It's a bit crude on, for instance, a master bus in that its controls lend themselves more easily to extreme settings and broad strokes than fine tuning (and I have Pro-MB for that anyway). But for sculpting a kick or bass it's my go to.

And for what it's worth, I've taken a real liking to shaperbox for sculpting drums.

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TDR Nova! Doesn't use the same type of crossover filter but that comes with its advantages.

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Why not, just use Fabfilter Pro-MB if you like it's functionality?
What are your reasons for needing an alternative?
Is there something about the plugin you don't like, or are you just looking for cheaper or better alternatives?

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Softube SMC2B, PSP oldTimer MB, SSL G3 MultiComp

G3 multicomp has a sale that probably has a few hours left, with code 3BAND on their site.

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MrJubbly wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:56 am Why not, just use Fabfilter Pro-MB if you like it's functionality?
What are your reasons for needing an alternative?
Is there something about the plugin you don't like, or are you just looking for cheaper or better alternatives?
I'm waiting with hope for the competition version from TBT. I want more control, like on Cenozoix compared to Pro-C. Another important thing is that quite often I want to make bands much narrower than what it allows...

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Toneboosters MBC is pretty damn nice. Not sure how it is compared to Fabfilter but demo it and see. Demo is basically infinite besides the nag screen. I did so for about 12 months before jumping in and purchasing.

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Transfigurationsofbeing wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 3:26 am
MrJubbly wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:56 am Why not, just use Fabfilter Pro-MB if you like it's functionality?
What are your reasons for needing an alternative?
Is there something about the plugin you don't like, or are you just looking for cheaper or better alternatives?
I'm waiting with hope for the competition version from TBT. I want more control, like on Cenozoix compared to Pro-C. Another important thing is that quite often I want to make bands much narrower than what it allows...
There's a reason why most multiband processors cap out ~6 bands. To be frank, very steep band-shelf filters/crossovers don't sound that great and the higher the band count the steeper you want the crossovers so they correctly separate the frequency spectrum. The CPU usage also increases drastically at higher octaves. The dynamic EQ-style of processing (Parallel dynamic peaking filters) are better suited for this purpose albeit you won't get perfect spectrum crossovers. You can also make them as sharp as you want up until they start self-oscillating.
But rules are meant to be broken, so if you want to you can have 8 bands with DMGAudio Multiplicity. Iirc you can have 192db/oct filters there, but I could be wrong. Go nuts.

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Worth checking out Voxengo Drumformer, up to 3 bands, also has great saturation, gate, 5 band EQ, output clipper.

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DNAudio wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 5:12 am
Transfigurationsofbeing wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 3:26 am
MrJubbly wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:56 am Why not, just use Fabfilter Pro-MB if you like it's functionality?
What are your reasons for needing an alternative?
Is there something about the plugin you don't like, or are you just looking for cheaper or better alternatives?
I'm waiting with hope for the competition version from TBT. I want more control, like on Cenozoix compared to Pro-C. Another important thing is that quite often I want to make bands much narrower than what it allows...
There's a reason why most multiband processors cap out ~6 bands. To be frank, very steep band-shelf filters/crossovers don't sound that great and the higher the band count the steeper you want the crossovers so they correctly separate the frequency spectrum. The CPU usage also increases drastically at higher octaves. The dynamic EQ-style of processing (Parallel dynamic peaking filters) are better suited for this purpose albeit you won't get perfect spectrum crossovers. You can also make them as sharp as you want up until they start self-oscillating.
But rules are meant to be broken, so if you want to you can have 8 bands with DMGAudio Multiplicity. Iirc you can have 192db/oct filters there, but I could be wrong. Go nuts.
You are absolutely right with what you said; I think especially that –the higher the octaves the band has, the worse it sounds. But I would at least like to try it because sometimes I want to apply a little compression in the area from 0 to 50 Hz approximately, and the Pro-MB is somewhat arbitrary in that it does not let me make the band narrower. On the other hand, other times I just want to make very small corrections, like for example in the typical case where, just because I compress in one place, the frequencies shoot up in another place (and I precisely avoid going up octaves); that makes me have to go to the equalizer again... It doesn't bother me at all, there is motivation, but it would be more comfortable not to go back. That's why I would like more controls, so I don't have to make extra moves, adding another band, but keep it simple.
Thank you very much for your comment.

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Ozone has a great one too

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Melda MDynamicsMB could be worth checking out. No limit on crossover position (up to 6 bands) and slope choices from 6 to 120db/oct. Linear phase option also.

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DMG Audio Multiplicity is a monster.
Love that thing 😀
software is a tool that allows us to complete a given task.
social media is full of tools that distract us from a given task.

myfeebleeffort
https://paulroach2.bandcamp.com/
https://hearthis.at/83hdtrvm/

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My go-to MB comp is Multiband X6 :hihi:

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