How do you side chain and kick a bass?

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.

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.

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 you compress sub bass?

Compression is another move that is essential for controlling your sub bass and giving your sound some additional punch. Medium-fast attack times and medium-fast release times will ensure your sub bass is smooth and consistent while controlling any spikes that may cause clipping.

How do I make my bass tighter?

Multi-band Compression By compressing the lowest band (20 Hz – 200 Hz) more than the rest, you can effectively create a tighter bass sound. Try this out on just the bass track or the entire mix — but be careful not to over-compress or you’ll lose all of the energy in your track.

What does side chain compression do?

It is a type of compression where the effect level on one instrument is controlled by the volume level of another instrument. 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.

Does sidechain compression affect bass and kick?

If your sidechain compression is subtle enough, you can make your kick pop out of the mix a bit more without making any noticeable difference to the bass. Or you might want to sidechain compress more. Besides allowing the kick to cut through the mix more, of course, using more sidechain compression may make your mix sound more modern.

How to compress the kick and bass on a guitar?

However, you can use sidechain compression along with EQ to improve the balance between the kick and bass. If the kick part is getting buried, try adding a compressor to the bass part and sidechain it to the kick. Again, aim for subtle compression with 1-3dB of gain reduction, and a fast attack and release.

How do you balance the kick and bass on a song?

However, you can use sidechain compression along with EQ to improve the balance between the kick and bass. If the kick part is getting buried, try adding a compressor to the bass part and sidechain it to the kick.

What is sidechain compression and how to use it?

The most common way to use sidechain compression is on the bass, with the sidechain input set to the kick drum. This is because the kick and bass occupy similar frequency ranges, and by default, there are clashes in the bass range. This is genre-dependant, as some genres will have lower bass and higher kick drums, and vise-versa.