BLEASS Multiband Compressor

Name: BLEASS Multiband Compressor
Price: 29 USD
Author: BLEASS

by BLEASS · Compressor · Multiband compressor

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BLEASS Multiband Compressor controls dynamics in several frequency bands, with sidechain support.

It runs as a VST3, AU or AAX plugin on Windows and macOS for $29, with a separate iOS version.

Best for: Mix Bus, Drum Bus, Mastering. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: multi-band, sidechain input, AUv3/iOS, bus processing, downward expansion, full mix, punchy, soft clip, AAX, drum bus, drums, keys, mastering, mix bus, built-in mix knob, mixing, neutral, parallel processing, synths, tube.

What it does

BLEASS Multiband Compressor is a three-band dynamics processor aimed at loudness and punch. The developer pitches it for "injecting loudness, power and punch" into mixes, stems and tracks.

Three bands: the signal is split into low, mid and high bands, each processed on its own.
Above and Below stages: each band has two stages: Above acts on signals louder than its threshold, Below on signals quieter than its threshold, so you can push down peaks and lift quiet detail at the same time.
Compress or expand: each stage works as a compressor, or as an expander when its ratio is set below 1:1.
Flexible sidechain: choose per band whether it keys from the normal input or from a filtered and/or external signal.
Soft clipping: a global soft clipper adds a valve-like saturation on the output.
Output: output level and dry/wet balance for parallel processing.

Version 1.4.0 is listed on KVR Marketplace. A demo is available.

Source: BLEASS product page

When to use it

BLEASS Multiband Compressor is the better pick for low-cost, three-band upward and downward compression with proper sidechain options. Unlike Pro-C 3, The Glue or TDR Kotelnikov, which compress the whole signal as one band, it can tame or lift one part of the spectrum without touching the rest. It works on the same above/below idea as Xfer's free OTT but gives you a clearer interface, sidechain routing per band and expansion as well as compression. It has only three bands and fewer precision tools than a mastering multiband such as FabFilter Pro-MB.

Best for: OTT-style loudness and density on synths, drums and stems, and controlling one frequency range on a bus.
Genres: electronic, EDM, pop and hip-hop.
Look elsewhere if: you want analog-style single-band bus glue (The Glue or SSL G-Master Buss Compressor) or more bands and finer mastering control (FabFilter Pro-MB).

What producers say

Early users, mostly on iOS, were enthusiastic about its interface and efficiency.

Loopy Pro forum (2024) users praised the clear interface even on a small iPhone screen, the lower CPU load than alternatives and the sidechain input, which some rivals lack.
Comparisons: one user found it more neutral and predictable than WOOTT, which has more colour but needs careful setting; another preferred its interface to ToneBoosters' multiband.

Loopy Pro forum thread

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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