Multiband Editors & Their Functions in ARIA Studio

Each Multiband Editor can operate in either wideband mode (a single band affecting all frequencies at once) or multiband mode (up to five discrete frequency bands). This flexibility allows you to make broad adjustments across the entire frequency spectrum or target specific frequency ranges with precision.

To add a new frequency band, simply double-click at the point on the frequency axis where you want to create a division. To remove a band, hold Control (or Command on Mac) and double-click on the division point you want to remove. You can have up to five separate bands.

One of the most powerful features of ARIA's MBEs is the ability to control the transition between adjacent bands. To adjust the smoothness of the transition, hover your mouse over the intersection point between bands and use your scroll wheel. This allows you to create steep, step-like transitions for dramatic changes between frequency regions, or long, smooth transitions for more subtle, natural-sounding adjustments.

The Reference EQ (REF) is your starting point for sound personalization in ARIA Studio. This powerful tool allows you to define your target frequency response—essentially setting the 'reference' that your hearing correction will aim to achieve.

Unlike traditional EQs that directly modify the audio signal, the Reference EQ shapes the target curve that ARIA uses as the foundation for all subsequent processing. Think of it as telling ARIA, 'This is the frequency response I want to hear,' and then letting the software determine how to adjust your specific hearing profile to achieve that target.

The Profile Blend MBE is one of ARIA Studio's most innovative features, allowing you to blend multiple hearing profiles across different frequency ranges. This powerful tool is particularly valuable when you want to combine the characteristics of different hearing profiles—perhaps yours and a friend's, or different test results from your own hearing.

When using the Profile Blend MBE, a value of 0 means the correction is based entirely on the primary profile, while a value of 100 means it's based entirely on the secondary profile. Values between 0 and 100 create a proportional blend between the two profiles.

This blending capability enables precise integration of multiple hearing profiles by selectively combining their optimal frequency regions. For instance, if a recent hearing test produced anomalous results in a specific frequency range, such as the mid-high frequencies, you can utilize data from a previous, more representative test for just that range. This targeted approach preserves the accuracy of your current profile while addressing isolated measurement inconsistencies.

The L/R Combined Multiband Editor is a powerful tool for fine-tuning the relationship between your left and right ear correction. This MBE is particularly useful when your hearing characteristics differ between ears, allowing you to create a more balanced listening experience.

In Left-Right Combined mode, the L/R Combined MBE works in a specific way: a value of 0 means ARIA favors the ear with better hearing (less needed correction) in that frequency region, while a value of 100 means ARIA prioritizes the ear with greater correction needs. This intelligent balancing allows you to create a generally shared correction profile while still favoring one ear for certain problematic or important frequency regions.

This balance control is especially valuable for addressing asymmetrical hearing or for creating a more consistent stereo image. By adjusting the L/R balance across different frequency bands, you can achieve a more natural and balanced sound that compensates for differences between your ears while optimizing the listening experience for specific content types.

When ARIA Studio is in Left-Right Separate mode, these MBEs allow you to fine-tune the correction for each ear independently. This is especially valuable when your hearing characteristics differ significantly between ears, or when you want to create specific stereo imaging effects.

Higher values increase the correction amount for that channel, while lower values reduce it. By adjusting these controls across different frequency bands, you can create a perfectly tailored stereo image that addresses your unique hearing characteristics in each ear.

The Correction Amount (CR) Multiband Editor is perhaps the most fundamental control in ARIA Studio, allowing you to adjust the overall intensity of the hearing correction applied to your audio. This MBE effectively controls how much of your hearing profile is applied to the sound.

A value of 100 applies full correction based on your hearing profile, while a value of 0 applies no correction at all (bypassing ARIA's hearing correction processing). Values between 0 and 100 apply a proportional amount of correction.

The Correction Amount MBE is particularly useful for finding the perfect balance between corrected and uncorrected sound. Some users prefer subtle correction that maintains more of the original audio characteristics, while others prefer more pronounced correction that fully compensates for their hearing profile. By adjusting this control across different frequency bands, you can apply more correction in frequency ranges where you need it most, and less in ranges where you prefer a more natural sound.