Author Topic: Side-chain (Read 32652 times)

Nadav · « **on:** January 06, 2016, 06:59:00 pm »

Hi all. I could have joined and posted in ANY music production forum, but I chose to join this one for reasons that will only be obvious to one person here...

Anyway, I've got only a vague idea of what side-chain is, but it seems like it could be useful. Can someone explain to me in very basic English what it is, how it works, and when to use it? What are key terms and definitions associated with side-chaining?

(For reference of what I envision a good answer will look like, see Mat_Zo's explanation of compression.)

(Also, please try to keep your answer relevant to all genres of music, for those of us working outside of EDM.)

polymetric · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2016, 07:03:45 pm »

Sidechaining is automating the volume of one track by the volume of another. The way it is used in EDM is to duck the volume of most instruments to the kick drum (and sometime the snare) so it has more punch. I don't know anything about this being used much outside of EDM.

There are many ways to actually do this. It depends on your DAW and the plugins you're using, but here are the most common ways:

- Compressing one track using a sidechain signal. This takes the general dynamic volume level of one audio track, and uses that to automate the volume of the sidechained track.
- Same as above, but using an inaudible sample instead of another instrument
- Simply automating the sidechained track with automation clips. This is what I prefer, as it gives you the most control over the sidechained sound. You can easily change the envelope.

Scribit · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2016, 07:11:57 pm »

In as small amount of words possible, Sidechain is the process of using the output of one track to control the action of a compressor on a completely different track.

In more Lehmann's terms, if you have something to trigger the sidechain (a kick, snare, synth, ANYTHING), whenever that trigger is hit/played, a compressor will affect another track.

For example, its most common usage is the kick/sub bass combo. A kick's main frequencies are between 80-120Hz (depending on the kick), and a sub bass is usually between 30-80Hz. Therefore, if both play at the same time you will have a clash. Usually it results in distortion, clipping, and all round shittyness. So, if you add a compressor to the sub bass, switch on the sidechain function, then make the kick drum the trigger, you will have the sub bass 'ducking' every time the kick hits. The sub bass will compress down (depending on the compressors settings) to make room for the kick so that there is no clash of frequencies.

There are plenty of other uses for it as well. E.g. reverb ducking on synths, pumping feeling, vibrato effect. I wont bore you with those though

Jamie · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2016, 07:32:43 pm »

To aim towards an answer in a more MZ fashion: side-chaining is a hand turning the volume down while another sound is playing.. and then turning it back up again when the other sound stops playing. The attack and release again, to quote MZ is 'is how lazy or on point the hand is'.

Nadav · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2016, 07:44:37 pm »

Thanks, everyone who's responded! So, it sounds like a side-chain can be linked to any effect--not just volume, but also compression for instance. Is that right?

Also, what are the parameters you can typically control? Attack and release was mentioned...is there also ratio too, just like compression? Other parameters?

Scribit · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2016, 08:18:40 pm »

Sidechain can be done in a few ways. The most common two are volume automation and compression. If it's done with compression, then the level of 'ducking' is controlled by all the knobs on a compressor: so attack, release, ratio and threshold.

deathy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2016, 08:23:25 pm »

Quote from: Nadav on January 06, 2016, 07:44:37 pm

Thanks, everyone who's responded! So, it sounds like a side-chain can be linked to any effect--not just volume, but also compression for instance. Is that right?

The source of confusion is that it is frequently called "side-chain compression" because compression is the audio effect that is used to do it in Ableton Live. In Renoise, for example, it's called Send-Receive Ducking.

It can't just be linked to any effect... if you wish to side-chain an effect in Ableton, you'll usually have to create a group with a wet channel, with your effect followed by a side-chain compression to duck the effect, and a dry. This is a really nice way to implement some effects since you'll only really get the effect when the sound quiets a bit... like, delays and reverb that are only there in the silence so they don't muddy up your sounds.

Heymac · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2016, 10:00:58 pm »

Quote from: deathy on January 06, 2016, 08:23:25 pm

Quote from: Nadav on January 06, 2016, 07:44:37 pm
Thanks, everyone who's responded! So, it sounds like a side-chain can be linked to any effect--not just volume, but also compression for instance. Is that right?

The source of confusion is that it is frequently called "side-chain compression" because compression is the audio effect that is used to do it in Ableton Live. In Renoise, for example, it's called Send-Receive Ducking.

It can't just be linked to any effect... if you wish to side-chain an effect in Ableton, you'll usually have to create a group with a wet channel, with your effect followed by a side-chain compression to duck the effect, and a dry. This is a really nice way to implement some effects since you'll only really get the effect when the sound quiets a bit... like, delays and reverb that are only there in the silence so they don't muddy up your sounds.

Essentially if it sends a signal you can either sidechain it or use it to sidechain. If you are using FL a quick way I learned via Varien is using Fruity Peak Controller on a clone of whatever you want to have focus for (your kick drum for example) That will make it so the sound is inaudible but it still sends a signal. Then use a Stereo Enhancer on the channel ofwhatever you want to duck out of the way in the mixer and "link to controller" and connect it to the peak controller.

what this does is that whenever you have that silent kick signal happen (most likely same time as the audible kick) whatever channel has that stereo enhancer will lower its volume and "duck" out of the way of the kick as long as that signal is still being sent. boom you've just sidechained.

Wontolla · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2016, 10:08:05 pm »

I think when people say "sidechain compression", they mean using sidechaining specifically to lower the dynamic range of the master (like regular compressing). Instead of using it for an effect, like getting the pumping sound for house. It's the same process, it's just used with a different result in mind. Or I could be totally wrong w/e

Miles Dominic · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2016, 10:24:46 pm »

Quote from: Wontolla on January 06, 2016, 10:08:05 pm

I think when people say "sidechain compression", they mean using sidechaining specifically to lower the dynamic range of the master (like regular compressing). Instead of using it for an effect, like getting the pumping sound for house. It's the same process, it's just used with a different result in mind. Or I could be totally wrong w/e

Sidechain compression is when u use a trigger through sidechain to get the pumping effect caused by compression. so its basically just volume reduction caused by compression triggered by an external trigger (ie sample or synth)

Tiongcy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2016, 12:25:24 am »

Anyone use the grossbeat sidechain in FL?

auvic · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2016, 12:28:23 am »

Side-chaining pretty well explained by the first few posts. The Gross Beat 'sidechain' preset is just volume ducking, and by definition not a sidechain.

OliverHandsome · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2016, 12:32:15 am »

Quote from: Tiongcy on January 07, 2016, 12:25:24 am

Anyone use the grossbeat sidechain in FL?

Yes, if Gross Beat will suffice. Often it does not though. Depends on the beat a lot.

Heymac · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2016, 03:53:17 am »

Quote from: Tiongcy on January 07, 2016, 12:25:24 am

Anyone use the grossbeat sidechain in FL?

I have used it, I found it wasn't as precise as I would like to be, I found the peak controller method to be a little bit better IMO but you gotta take that with a grain of salt because I'm bad lol

MifzanHerawan · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2016, 04:24:17 am »

Quote from: Scribit on January 06, 2016, 07:11:57 pm

In as small amount of words possible, Sidechain is the process of using the output of one track to control the action of a compressor on a completely different track.

can it be said as "compressing A using B, instead of using A's signal" ?
i'm just trying to make it real simple for myself

Author Topic: Side-chain (Read 32652 times)

Nadav

Side-chain

polymetric

Re: Side-chain

Scribit

Re: Side-chain

Jamie

Re: Side-chain

Nadav

Re: Side-chain

Scribit

Re: Side-chain

deathy

Re: Side-chain

Heymac

Re: Side-chain

Wontolla

Re: Side-chain

Miles Dominic

Re: Side-chain

Tiongcy

Re: Side-chain

auvic

Re: Side-chain

OliverHandsome

Re: Side-chain

Heymac

Re: Side-chain

MifzanHerawan

Re: Side-chain