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What is a side chain in audio?
Sidechain is an effect that you have on one sound that is triggered by the level of another sound. The classic example is when you have a compressor on a bass track and you set it so it ducks the level of the bass whenever a kick drum hits.
Why is it called Sidechaining?
Sidechaining was born when Shearer conceived of a compressor with a “side” signal chain (separate to the main trigger signal) with an EQ slapped on it – rather than evenly compressing the incoming signal, this “de-esser” would only be triggered when the specific sibilant sounds appeared.
What is side chain insert?
A sidechain (also seen as side chain or side-chain) input is a special ‘key input’ found on audio compressor units and noise gate units. It’s an additional input, separate to the main input found on the device.
How do you use a side chain compression?
Here’s how to set up sidechain compression.
- Insert a compressor onto the bass track (select a compressor with a sidechain or key input).
- Select the kick drum audio as the sidechain input.
- Adjust the threshold and ratio controls so that the bass is compressed by the desired amount whenever the kick drum hits.
What does compression mean in music?
Compression is used in music to reduce the dynamic range of signals with loud and quiet elements so that both can be heard clearly. Compression is used in music to reduce the dynamic range of signals with loud and quiet elements so that both can be heard clearly.
Why do bass and side chains kick?
The idea behind sidechain compression is that you briefly lower the volume of your bass part whenever the kick drum comes in. That gets the bass out of the way for just long enough to hear at least the attack of the kick drum clearly.
What is side chain routing?
Sidechain routing is a popular technique in audio processing. Basically it lets you shape the dynamics of a signal, utilizing the amplitude of a second signal, which is fed into the sidechain input of a compressor, gate, or similar device.
What is sidechain compression and how does it work?
Sidechain compression is when the level of one instrument or sound triggers a compressor to act on another. We’ll get into a bit more detail later in this article about common methods of use, but one common use of sidechain compression is in electronic dance music (EDM).
How do you know if a track needs sidechain compression?
The track should seem like it breathes a little better, and grooves a bit more. Drums – By far the most common use of sidechain compression, sidechaining is often used to make drums, the kick in particular, shine especially when coupled with heavy synths, bass, and subbass.
How to sidechain compress with a mixer?
Now the compressor is setup for sidechain compression, so adjust your ratio, threshold, attack and release as desired. Firstly, make sure both the sidechain trigger and track you want to apply sidechain to are both routed in the mixer. After that is done, select the sidechain trigger channel.
What is ghost sidechain compression?
Ghost Compression – A technique commonly used in EDM music, ghost sidechain compression involves sidechaining a track to a track that has no volume. This produces an effect where the synth or instrument sidechained to has the signature volume duck, but with no presence of the sound it was linked to.