Why I don't use Pro-MB on vocals (and the multiband I use instead)

Let’s talk about something that might ruffle a few feathers.

You ever see YouTubers using FabFilter Pro-MB for vocal processing?

Every time I see this, I can’t help but wonder if maybe they just haven’t had the chance to really hear what Pro-MB is doing. Or perhaps it’s the first tool they got comfortable with, and they’ve stuck with it. Totally understandable, we’ve all been there. The audio journey is long, and we’re all constantly learning and evolving.

That said, I can’t stand Pro-MB’s sound on vocals. When I posted this as a story, I got overwhelmingly positive feedback from some of the best ears in the industry, which confirmed I’m not alone in this.

Now don’t get me wrong: Pro-MB isn’t bad. It’s a solid plugin overall. But on vocals it just doesn’t feel right.

What I noticed when I tried it

• The only way I could make it somewhat work was by setting a hard knee.
• Even then, the attack and release felt super weird.
• The compression jumps all over the place and gives a metallic, unnatural tone that’s totally unmusical.

What I use for vocal multiband compression

1. McDSP MC2000 (MC404)

This one’s a BEAST.

• The tone: rich and musical.
• The color: dark and crunchy (in a good way).
• The character: extra vibey.

Even the default settings get me 90% of the way there. Most of the time I just tweak the thresholds and fine-tune the attack and release on the top end. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it sounds great every single time.

2. Waves C6

If you’re on a budget or just want to explore a classic, this one is magic.

Clunky UI? Yep. Not much visual feedback? True. But the sound is king. It reacts in a very musical way.

Here’s the key: be extra careful with the crossover points between bands. They’re everything here. It takes a little patience to dial in, but it’s totally worth it.

3. Waves C4

Seems redundant? Not so fast. This is the baby brother of the C6. Simpler interface, fewer options, but it still delivers that classic, ageless tone. You’ve probably heard it on hundreds of hit records over the last 20 years.

It just works.

Watch the reel on Instagram →