MD3
by TC Electronic · Compressor · System 6000 multiband dynamics
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MD3 is a native version of the MD3 mastering algorithm from TC Electronic's System 6000, combining EQ, multiband dynamics and limiting.
It has a 4-band EQ, a 3-band compressor/expander, soft clipping and a true-peak limiter; Sweetwater sells it for $199.
Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: multi-band, mastering, downward expansion, full mix, hardware emulation, transparent, mid/side, soft clip, true-peak, classic, digital classic, licensed emulation, aggressive, auto-gain, bus processing, mix bus, repair.
What it does
MD3 is TC Electronic's native version of the MD3 mastering algorithm from the System 6000, a complete multiband mastering chain in one plug-in. TC calls the algorithm "a refinement of our legendary MD2 dynamics algorithm," and the compressor matches the one in its hardware Finalizer units.
- 3-band expander: downward expansion in three bands, for cleaning up noise or restoring dynamics before compression.
- 4-band EQ: a high-resolution parametric EQ within the chain.
- 3-band compressor: separate threshold, ratio, attack, release and makeup gain for each band, with linking options to move several bands together.
- Detector Crest: a dial that sets the detector between peak and RMS response, or anywhere in between.
- Output stage: a transparent full-band peak/true-peak brickwall limiter with an optional soft clipper.
- Processing modes: mono, stereo and mid/side (per Sweetwater); Auto Makeup Gain is on by default and, per Sound On Sound, works aggressively.
- Presets: includes well-known presets from TC's hardware Finalizer models.
The current version is 1.1.0. It is also available in the System 6000 Native Bundle. Sound On Sound notes there is no loudness metering and no output dither.
Source: TC Electronic product page
When to use it
MD3 is the pick for engineers who want the System 6000 and Finalizer mastering sound, with its transparent crossovers, in a single plug-in with easier editing than the hardware. Compared with FabFilter Pro-MB plus Pro-L 2, it gives a fixed expander, EQ, compressor and limiter chain in one window, but with far less visual feedback. Unlike iZotope Ozone 12, it has no loudness metering or dither, so it needs a meter and a dither plug-in after it. Next to TC's own MD4 HD, it has three rather than five dynamics bands and no parallel or upward compression, but it is cheaper and closer to the classic sound.
- Best for: mastering stereo mixes, mid/side mastering, and multiband control on mix buses.
- Genres: general-purpose, for any style.
- Look elsewhere if: you want five bands, upward or parallel compression (MD4 HD), or modern graphics with loudness metering (Ozone 12).
What producers say
Sound On Sound rates it a very capable mastering processor whose main shortfall is a dated look.
- Sound On Sound (Sam Inglis, 2024) called it a "hugely capable mastering processor" that "lacks little apart from graphical sophistication", and praised its transparent crossover filtering despite the algorithm's age.
- Presets: the same review said the Finalizer presets and easier editing make it more practical than the original hardware.
- Criticisms: no loudness metering and no output dither, so a separate plug-in is needed for 16-bit renders.
Where to buy
- Sweetwater: $199
Tutorials and reviews
- Plugin Lab: TC Electronic MD3, procesador de dinámica del System 6000
- TC Electronic: Powercore 6000 MD3 vs MD3 Native - My Honest Review of the New Plugin AdrianMilea.com
- TC Electronic: MD3 Native vs MD3 Powercore 6000 - Null Test
- TC Electronic System 6000 MD3 Native vs MD3 Poco. Preset Cat43 Emulate.
- ⚡TC System6000 MD3 NATIVE⚡-Revisión en Español-
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