What is sidechain compression waves?

Sidechain compression involves using a compressor’s sidechain input signal to trigger the device, rather than the compressor’s default input signal—this allows you to compress Track A, based on the signal level of Track B. Sidechain compression is perhaps used most commonly to provide clarity to the low-end of songs.

How do you use a side chain compression?

Here’s how to set up sidechain compression.

  1. Insert a compressor onto the bass track (select a compressor with a sidechain or key input).
  2. Select the kick drum audio as the sidechain input.
  3. Adjust the threshold and ratio controls so that the bass is compressed by the desired amount whenever the kick drum hits.

What is sidechain high pass filter compression?

Enter: sidechain high pass filter. By activating it, the louder bass parts of the spectrum (i.e. the lows) will be excluded from the compression circuit. The threshold can now be adjusted more precisely so that the effect can work on all (of the other) frequencies with greater care.

What are sidechain plugins?

A sidechain plugin gives users the ability to program various volume modulations within a track or mix. Using a sidechain can help you regulate the volume differences of a track without meddling with its level manually, as the device will change any parameters you program during the playback on its own.

When should I use sidechain compression?

Sidechain compression is particularly popular in dance pop because it allows instruments to cut through a mix at all times. When other instruments in a mix get louder, the sidechain effect increases so that the track it’s on will never be drowned out.

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.

What is sidechain HPF?

What does a sidechain filter do?

Put simply, side-chain filters alter the frequency response of the signal entering the internal side-chain circuit. Compressors are more responsive (and therefore apply more gain reduction) to low frequencies, and can yield not only a compressed sound but a dull sound as well.

How does sidechain compression work in a compressor?

Sidechain compression involves using a compressor’s sidechain input signal to trigger the device, rather than the compressor’s default input signal—this allows you to compress Track A, based on the signal level of Track B.

How can I use sidechain compression for bass?

To fix this issue using sidechain compression, you can use a compressor like Waves’ C1 Compressor. First, apply the C1 Compressor to your bass track. Set up the kick track as the C1 Compressor’s sidechain input signal—depending on the DAW you’re using, this is achieved in different ways.

When to use multiband sidechain compression for audio?

Vocal intelligibility lives with-in the 1-5 kHz range, which sometimes gets masked by guitars. When making use of a dense arrangement in which there’s not a lot of space for both the vocals and guitar, multiband sidechain compression is a great solution.

Which is the best side chain compression plugin?

The ShaperBox plugin is definitely one of the more in-depth plug ins from this list, as it has so many great features. You can draw your own side-chain curve, or you can choose one of the side-chain presets at the bottom.