Audio system including multiband audio dynamics processor

An audio system, comprising:

• an automatic level controller configured to receive at least one input audio signal from at least one audio medium, said automatic level controller including a gain adjust module configured to produce an output audio signal based on the at least one input audio signal, a difference between a maximum sound level and a minimum sound level of the at least one input audio signal being greater than a difference between a maximum sound level and a minimum sound level of the output audio signal;
• a filter arrangement communicatively coupled to the automatic level controller, the filter arrangement being configured to receive the output audio signal and divide the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals, each of the filtered signals corresponding to a respective frequency band;
• and
• a multiband dynamics controller communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement, the multiband dynamics controller being configured to receive the filtered signals and apply a different respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals, wherein the automatic level controller is further configured to hold respective values of the gain characteristics substantially constant so long as a level of the output audio signal is below a threshold value.