OTT (multiband compression) has been a life changer for many producers and sound engineers.
But what makes it different from “normal” compression, and how can you use it to make your tracks sound fuller and more galvanizing? In this article, we’ll discuss everything about OTT and highlight how to make the most of it, whether you want to use it creatively or just to polish your piece.
- What Is OTT Compression?
- What Makes OTT Different
- Why You Should Use OTT
- When to Use OTT
- How to Use OTT
- Best OTT Plugins
- Final Thoughts
What Is OTT Compression?
OTT plugin from Xfer Records in action
OTT stands for "Over The Top" compression. Where standard compressors tackle the full frequency spectrum, OTT divides the signal into multiple frequency bands (low, mid and high) and processes each band independently.
OTT applies upward and downward compression at the same time, hence reducing the level of loud signals while raising the level of quieter details.
As a result, OTT gives you a very dense (but controlled) sound with minimal dynamic range. The overall signal sounds louder and more aggressive, which is why it became popular in heavy electronic genres like dubstep and DnB.
What Makes OTT Different
Here are two versions of a tune I made using samples from our library. In the first audio you hear OTT applied to every channel, and in the second one, how the song sounds without OTT:
The compression ratios in OTT are aggressive, to put it mildly. For the low band, every dB input above the threshold raises the output by approximately 1/6 of a dB. It’s almost like a limiter!
Because of the high ratios, OTT allows you to set long attack and release times so that you can preserve your mix’s dynamics. This also means that the harder you compress, the slower your gain reduction should change.
Higher gain reduction (input level, threshold, and ratio) requires longer attack and release times, unless you want to sacrifice your song’s musicality for the sake of loudness...
Why You Should Use OTT
OTT can be a great solution if you’re working on a busy mix, because it reduces dynamic differences and emphasizes detail across the frequency spectrum. It basically makes elements feel brighter by creating space in the mix.
When used subtly, OTT adds perceived loudness and harmonic complexity to a track by enhancing elements that were too quiet before. But you can also use it creatively and radically reshape a sound: with more aggressive settings you can create a more intense texture that works well in genres such as EDM, dubstep, trap and beyond.
But OTT has become an iconic effect because it took the elements of electronic dance music to the extreme, focusing on the human perception of sound frequencies. To understand why it works so well, let’s take look at how humans actually hear sounds.
Our ears perceive mids, highs, and lows in fundamentally different ways. Human hearing is most sensitive to harmonic relationships in the midrange frequencies (200 Hz - 5 kHz), which is where we perceive melody and tonality more clearly.
We humans perceive midrange frequencies louder than highs and lows at the same intensity. A 50 Hz wave needs to be roughly 20 dB higher than a 200 Hz tone to sound equally loud; to create balanced perceived loudness across the spectrum, the highs and lows must be boosted relative to the mids.
And here’s the thing: OTT compresses the mids less aggressively than the highs and lows. This maintains the separation between instruments, but brings forward those frequencies usually neglected because outside of our midrange area.
The contrast between enhanced highs and lows gives both clarity and power to a mix, and because these frequency regions are far apart, they can both be emphasized without creating conflict.
When to Use OTT
OTT is mostly used on single instruments rather than whole mixes or buses.
It’s an effect that works well on any type of sound. Drums and beats get additional punch or sustain. Synths of any kind get a whole new level of clarity and perceived power. It also works well on pads and atmospheres, because it highlights subtle detail that adds richness to a song.
Whatever you do, make sure you use it with caution, as it’s super easy to flatten dynamics and introduce noise.
How to Use OTT
If you already know how to use an EQ and standard compressors, mastering OTT won’t take long, as long as you don’t overdo it.
The parameters you have to focus on are:
Input and output gain, which define how hard the signal hits the compressor and how loud it is after processing. Because OTT heavily compresses audio, chances are you’ll have to increase output gain to compensate for the volume loss.
The Depth control is like a dry/wet knob you find in reverb effects and more. It blends the processed signal with the original one: lower settings keep dynamics, whereas higher values enhance power at the expense of musicality.
On Xfer OTT, the Time control adjusts attack and release times across all frequencies. Faster settings equal tighter sound, and slower settings equal more transient detail pass through.
Each frequency band has independent upward and downward compression thresholds you should use to decide which parts of the spectrum are emphasized or mitigated.
Best OTT Plugins
There are basically two main options, and it all comes down to whether you use Ableton or not.
Ableton Live users can use the built-in Multiband Dynamics effect with the OTT preset. It’s as intuitive as it can be, and comes with the Suite version of Ableton Live.
Alternatively, the most common software used outside of Ableton is the free OTT plugin from Xfer Records. Just like the Ableton preset it’s inspired by, it offers everything you need to create the classic OTT sound. It’s the industry standard, and it’s free!
Final Thoughts
Just like with many other powerful effects, it’s always better to use OTT subtly at first; strive to preserve the dynamics of your music, gradually increasing the compression levels until you reach your sweet spot. In my experience, an OTT at 15-20% depth is ideal for subtle work, and a 20-50% depth creates an aggressive sound that works best in heavy genres. I rarely go above 50%.
Once you start using it creatively, make sure every element of your mix has a place in the soundstage, and that you don’t create unwanted noise in the process.
Whenever you’re ready, head over to the Sample Focus library, pick a few samples, and see how they glue together with some OTT. Have fun!
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