Welcome to Sage Audio. Today we’re talking about How to Sidechain
But first, if you have a mix that you need mastered send it to us
at SageAudio.com to receive a free mastered sample of it.
Internal Side-Chain
When mixing or mastering, an internal side-chain is typically an internal equalizer,
with which you can determine which frequencies trigger the processor.
For example, I can use a compressor’s internal side-chain
to make the high frequencies not trigger the compressor, by introducing a low-pass filter.
Let’s take a listen to it.
External Side-Chain
An external side chain is an extrinsic, or outside audio source that affects
the processor’s behavior; for example, I could use a kick as an external side-chain
on a compressor, and whenever the kick hit, the compressor would respond.
This feature has multiple creative and practical applications when mixing and mastering.
Let’s listen to a drum track as the external side chain,
affecting a compressor on the rest of the track.
Body with Internal Side-Chain
One popular way to use an internal side chain in a mix or master is to use a high-pass filter,
in turn, ensuring that the low-frequencies don’t trigger the compressor.
This is especially helpful on a mix bus where the kick may be the most common trigger.
By cutting it out, you only cause compression when the mids
and highs are loud enough to trigger it, resulting in the retention of your dynamics.
Let’s take a listen.
Stereo Widening with Internal Side-Chain
If the compressor you’re using allows for it, you can switch your signal from left and right
to mid and side - then you can increase the input of the mid-chain to cause more
compression to the mids. The side will be louder, by comparison, causing dynamic stereo expansion.
This effect can be somewhat finicky, so keep an eye on your attenuation
and dial in the threshold, input, and other factors just right.
Let’s take a listen.
Bass Ducking
Bass ducking is a very popular use for external side-chain; with it, you attenuate the bass
whenever the kick hits to create more room in the low-end. This helps clear some space in
the low-end since the 2 instruments are both powerful and occupy roughly the same space.
Simply put, the compressor goes on the bass track, the external side chain is set to the kick track.
Let’s take a listen.
Vocal Ducking
Vocal ducking is popular in live performances or when a DJ needs to break in to say something,
but if used very subtly, it can work well in rap and pop tracks.
Using the vocal as the external side chain, you can attenuate the full mix.
If you do try this, be sure that the attenuation isn’t more than 0.5dB,
since it can become noticeable very quickly.
Let’s take a listen.
TrackSpacer
TrackSpacer is a really unique plugin that utilizes an external sidechain like a compressor
but then introduces frequency-specific dynamic EQ to react to the incoming signal. This way,
if the track’s frequencies and side-chained signal’s frequencies overlap too much,
that range will be attenuated.
The low and high cut help you isolate the range,
and use the amount dial to control how much attenuation occurs.
Let’s take a listen.
Automating External Side-Chain
Automating your external side-chain can be a little difficult, since the send occurs pre-fader,
or can’t be controlled by adjusting the fader, mute, or other functions.
With that in mind, it’s best to automate the settings within the plugin that you’re using,
typically the threshold is the easiest option.
Let’s automate the threshold of the compressor
and in turn the amount of compression caused by the external side chain.
Constant Attenuation
Sometimes, you want your processor to respond in a consistent way - in other words, you don’t want
it to respond dynamically, but instead, introduce identical processing consistently. To accomplish
this, set up a signal generator, mute it, and set it as the external side chain to your compressor.
Adjust the threshold until you get the exact amount of attenuation that you want.
Let’s take a listen.
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