The Multiband X-Trem

Finally! People are becoming aware of the Splitter. Although the Splitter can act like a Y-cord or split based on channel, the coolest Splitter feature for me is being able to split based on frequency. This is what makes creating multiband FX Chains in Studio One sooo easy.

Check out the audio example to hear a taste of what this can do with a pad and drum part. The first four measures are unprocessed, while the second four measures use the same Multiband X-Trem settings on the pad and the drums.

PreSonus MB X Trem Demo Mixdown

The block diagram (Fig. 1) is pretty simple-the Splitter creates three bands, Lo, Mid, and Hi, with crossovers at 332 and 854 Hz. (There's nothing magical about those particular frequencies, choose what works best for the audio you're putting through it.)

Figure 1: Block diagram for the Multiband X-Trem.

The real magic in this FX is the way the crucial parameters are brought out to the control panel that's available in Studio One Pro (Fig. 2). However, Studio One Artist users can still load the FX Chain, and edit individual parameters. Although it's more time-consuming, you can end up with the same sonic results.

Figure 2: Multiband X-Trem control panel.

How to Use It

This FX Chain assumes you're going to sync it to tempo. Each of the three bands has a control to choose the Beat (tremolo rhythm) and Waveform, along with buttons to choose each band's mode (Pan or Tremolo) and waveform Phase Flip. So far, that's pretty simple.

The Mix section toward the right, with two knobs and their associated switches, is a little more complex. There aren't enough control panel knobs to have a Depth control for each band, however in use, I've found that I usually adjust the depth for the Mid and Hi bands together, and the Lo band by itself. So, the Lo band has its own Depth control, while the Mid and Hi bands share a Depth control. There are also buttons to bypass the X-Trem for the Mid and/or Hi band. This is almost as good as having individual Depth controls, because you can remove depth for either band as needed.

We'll close out with some additional tips

The sawtooth wave defaults to positive-going (i.e., the level ramps up from nothing to full). Flipping the phase makes a more percussive effect.

A slow rhythm for the Lo band gives a sort of rolling effect. Faster speeds seem to work best for the Mid and Hi bands.

Feel free to jump in and do tweaks-like change the Gate or Step waveform levels, vary the levels of the bands within the Splitter module, or change the crossover frequencies.

Happy download! Grab the Multiband X-Trem FX Chain preset here.

LINK:	https://blog.presonus.com/index.php/2021/04/05/multiband-x-trem/...
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