Massenburg DesignWorks announces MDWDRC3 Multichannel Dynamic Range Controller
by The Press Desk   4th July 2024

Here is a drum cover I mixed for a friend a couple of years ago using MDWEQ6 and MDWDRC2. I swapped out MDWDRC2 1.0.31 for version 2.0.40 and here are the differences. There are the full drum mix with all instances swapped out, the drum rooms compared, and the drum bus rendered out (with MDWDRC2 1.0.31 on individual tracks) and put through MDWDRC2 1.0.31 and MDWDRC2 2.0.40 with no subsequent processing. There are phase canceled versions of the drum bus compression and drum room. They do not null. The auto release / release override behaves and sounds different in each version of the plugin.
https://we.tl/t-t5fvqvxTgU

On a mac.
I tried what you suggested
but still can´t open the file.

BTW I just watched that Alan Meyerson webinar
and it seems on his mixes for DUNE 2 there´s no lack of MDWDRC3 lol

Do you have the slider set to 100% loudness in the newer version so that it is linked stereo like the old version?

Discrete is what supposedly matched the old version and is what recalled sessions and presets from MDWDRC2 1.0.31 open in.

Wow, good catch norsehordes. That's a subtle difference but it's definitely there. It's really noticeable on the drum room; 1.031 sounds more like haphazard and 1176-like, while 2.0.40 sounds more smoother, less pumpy. But of course that's not a change you're going to want made for you silently in the background with a version update.

I wonder if there's any way we could get both behaviors like you I tend to reach for MDWDRC2 not just for invisible functional compression but also for slamming colorful action.

well, this sure got my attention and norsehordes was kind enough to send me both files, which i'll be evaluating as soon as i can.

the execution engine code is exactly the same in both implementations, so naturally i'm drawn to which parameters changed??

thanks for keeping me updated
George

Thanks for looking in to this George! I just downloaded v1.0.31 and loaded it up alongside v2.0.37 and carefully typed in the same settings to both and they do not null. I repeated the experiment by typing in the same settings to two instances of 1.0.31, which of course nulled with each other, as did 2.0.37 with the same procedure. So something seems to be different!

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help!

Maybe it got slower somehow in the move to multichannel detection in the sidechain? The “loudness” gain reductions is also feels grabbier to me than the “discrete” gain reduction in MDWDRC2 2.0.40.

The older auto release trigger / release override had some 1176 all buttons in qualities only transients while also treating the rest of the signal as normal, which was unique amongst compressors to me. Usually the almost instant speed up in release is almost a clipper, inaudible on sharp peaks, and not optional like various limiters, Kotelnikov, or Aphex easy rider, or worse in the various auto attack compressors that lack an additional short auto release that don’t pump but smooth everything out a bit too much, or the compressor must be set to make the note and sustain sound distorted too like the 1176 (where all buttons in must be on to defeat the auto release that makes it hold down the audio on large transients), Distressor nuke, fostex mn-50, etc

good morning, norsehordes...

you're right, the new Version 2 plugs (both DRC2 and DRC3 r1.0.31) do not match earlier Version 1 plugs (2.0.xx), and the difference is, i'm sorry to admit, quite apparent.

the reason they don't compare is due to a mistake that i made in programming Version 2 plugs—DRC2 & DRC3—to be able to cover a much wider Timing value, and i inadvertently ignored compatibility.

the solution that ive tested is pretty straight ahead, and shortly i'll build it into new releases. if i load pre-version 2 files (1.0.31 thru 1.0.44 & etc) and i double the "Timing" values, both for average and peak, i can get the resultant files to compare to about -40dB.

if you'd wish to get on a Zoom i can demonstrate it to you.

i'll be working on a build-in fix right away.

George

Last night I had some time to 'experiment' with a setting parameter that I'd not previously noticed. [in a Mastering scenario]

I 'think' it is the Dynamic linking control [?]

Moving the slider from it's default position was rather stunning.

Working with a soundscape type track, the 'spread' in the stereo field was staggering ... interesting ... but over the top.

I ended up trying settings like 10 ... and eventually, I stop at values like 0.5 ... even 0.4

Again ... how dynamic the soundstage presented. When I compared to the 100% Link version, it was night/day ... just a 0.4 setting
brought this specific type of Mix into an animated jungle of dynamic movement.

So my initial question was ... at such a minimal value 0.5 ... should the change be so noticeable ???
I definitely need to test this further ...

Collapsing to MONO didn't reveal any obvious issue ... but it was rather late, so stopped to come back to this fresh.

At this point ... I'm still trying to understand the inner workings of MDW-DRC-2 ...

yeah ... at the setting I use, it definitely enhances the track ... even going for minimal changes ... but have yet to push the boundaries
to anything close to full potential.

All the included PRESETS are either instrument specific, while the few others are not helpful at all.

Wish there were some Mastering presets that would help expose this plugins possibilities.

I did watch the Live Broadcast video out last week ... there was mention of sending out some Presets ... is that gonna happen?

To note, I'm not really a Preset type ... but during the learning process, they can provide some insight ...

more learning to do ...

I am currently gathering presets as I sort out mixes. Given a long history of wanting to use unfamiliar processors, and then having to interpret imaginative, unhelpful (or worse, time-wasting) names i'm loathe to release them untiI can get a little more feedback.

perhaps i can post a few here and let the GS community give me some feedback?

...with frustration tinged with trepidation,
George

That would be most welcomed, GeorgeM.

I'm not normally a 'preset' type, unless I made one for a general Session.

MDW-DRC has been on every Mastering Project since purchase ... love the results.

Difficult to make it sound bad ... but again, I tend to be more to the gentler side of treatment.

Some example Presets may enlighten me for even better results.

Great plugin ! As well as my workhorse MDWeQ.

Again Thanks GML !