Sidechain compression

Sidechain compression is a bit different. It is a type of compression where the effect level on one instrument is controlled by the volume level of another instrument. A common example would be making the compression level on a bass controlled by the output volume of the kick drum.

1. Is sidechain compression necessary?
2. What is the purpose of side chaining?
3. What is side chain processing?
4. Should you EQ or compress first?
5. What is a sidechain in Crypto?
6. Should vocals be Sidechained?
7. How much compression should a kick drum have?
8. Should I sidechain kick and bass?
9. Why is it called sidechain?
10. Can you sidechain EQ?
11. Who invented sidechain compression?
12. What is external sidechain?
13. What is sidechain in Pro Tools?
14. How do you use sidechain gate?

Is sidechain compression necessary?

Sidechain compression is a common “advanced” mixing technique. If you've ever asked yourself, “Should I use sidechain compression here?,” the answer is “Give it a shot!” It uses are somewhat particular, but sidechaining generally creates more separation, more rhythm, or more energy and excitement.

What is the purpose of side chaining?

For those who are unfamiliar, sidechaining means using the output of one track, such as a kick drum, to alter the compression on another track, such as a bassline. In simple terms, it's a way to set up your mix so that when one sound comes in, another one quiets down.

What is side chain processing?

Sidechain processing is a technique that allows a signal from one track to exert some control over a signal in another track.

Should you EQ or compress first?

Each position, EQ pre (before) or EQ post (after) compression produces a distinctly different sound, a different tonal quality, and coloration. As a rule, using EQ in front of your compressor produces a warmer, rounder tone, while using EQ after your compressor produces a cleaner, clearer sound.

What is a sidechain in Crypto?

A sidechain is a separate blockchain which runs in parallel to Ethereum Mainnet and operates independently. It has its own consensus algorithm (e.g. proof-of-authority, Delegated proof-of-stake, Byzantine fault tolerance). It is connected to Mainnet by a two-way bridge.

Should vocals be Sidechained?

By sidechaining the vocal and compressing guitars, keys, backing vocals – or even the everything EXCEPT the vocals… You can subtly create more room in the mix for the vocals to cut through. Add a compressor to whatever is interfering with the vocal.

How much compression should a kick drum have?

A good place to start with drums is to adjust the ratio to 4:1. If the drums are still too dynamic, up the ratio to 5:1 or higher.

Should I sidechain kick and bass?

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.

Why is it called sidechain?

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.

Can you sidechain EQ?

A dynamic EQ allows you to set a curve that reacts only to changes within a specified frequency range. This way, you can still send the kick drum as a sidechain trigger, but have it duck just the masking bass frequencies and nothing else.

Who invented sidechain compression?

Why Is It Called Sidechain Compression? In the 1930s, Douglas Shearer coined the term when he created a compressor that used a "side" signal chain, which was a different parameter than the main compressor trigger.

What is external sidechain?

An external sidechain input allows you to use any audio signal whatsoever to boss the compressor around. Say you have a bass part and a kick drum. You want the kick drum to be audible, even when the bass is playing. Here an external sidechain input comes in handy. ... Slap a compressor on the bass.

What is sidechain in Pro Tools?

In essence, a sidechain is the part of the signal that the compressor (or other dynamics processor) uses in its detection circuit to determine how much gain reduction to apply.

How do you use sidechain gate?

In the snare track, insert a send that feeds the reverb bus. Insert a gate after the reverb. Set its attack (and hold control, if available) to 20ms, and release to around 250ms. Insert a send in the kick drum track and assign it to the gate's sidechain input.