Reference Manual

304 Live Audio Effect Reference
output, and is only a trigger for the compressor, this temporary listening option can make it much
easier to set sidechain parameters and hear what’s actually making the compressor work.
22.7.2 Compression Tips
This section presents some tips for using Compressor effectively, particularly with the sidechain
options.
Mixing a Voiceover
Sidechaining is commonly used for so-called ”ducking” effects. For example, imagine that
you have one track containing a voiceover and another track containing background music.
Since you want the voiceover to always be the loudest source in the mix, the background music
must get out of the way every time the narrator is speaking. To do this automatically, insert a
Compressor on the music track, but select the narration track’s output as the external sidechain
source.
Sidechaining in Dance Music
Sidechaining/ducking is a dance music producer’s secret weapon because it can help to ensure
that basslines (or even whole mixes) always make room for the kick drum. By inserting a com-
pressor on the bass (or master) track and using the kick drum’s track as the sidechain input, you
can help to control problematic low frequencies that might interfere with the kick drum’s attack.
Using the sidechain EQ in conjunction with this technique can create ducking effects even if you
only have a mixed drum track to work with (as opposed to an isolated kick drum). In this case,
insert the Compressor on the track you want to duck. Then choose the drum track as the external
sidechain source. Then enable the sidechain EQ and select the lowpass filter. By carefully adjust-
ing the Frequency and Q settings, you should be able to isolate the kick drum from the rest of the
drum mix. Using the sidechain listen mode can help you tune the EQ until you find settings you’re
happy with.
Note that mastery of these techniques may result in a noticeable increase in drink tickets, remix
offers and dates.