Would the primary purpose of a multiband compressor be so that one
could compress bass frequencies on a master without compressing higher
frequencies so as to preserve the high end while at the same time
getting more bass content if you want a hotter master level?

If so, what are some good cut-off points for different styles of music?

Ludwig77 wrote:
Would the primary purpose of a multiband compressor be so that one
could compress bass frequencies on a master without compressing higher
frequencies so as to preserve the high end while at the same time
getting more bass content if you want a hotter master level?

It could be. But mostly multiband compression is for repair work.
When the vocal is badly mixed and totally out of control, or the bass
has gone berserk. It lets you compress a given part of the spectrum
seperately and with a different ratio.

If so, what are some good cut-off points for different styles of music?

That depends on what is wrong with them. For the most part, it's something
that mastering guys use very occasionally, to fix screwups in mixing.

Occasionally you'll see people use it for abusive compression, or in
broadcast systems that have to be operated without human intervention.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."