From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Effectively using side-chain inputs

Effectively using side-chain inputs

From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Effectively using side-chain inputs

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Up until now, we've worked with the compressor by feeding the signal we wish to compress directly into the threshold circuit of the compressor, but what if you could control the compression of one signal using the dynamics of another? Listen to the swell of the synth pad to the beat of the kick drum. The kick drum is triggering the swell on the pad. (music playing) We'll discuss how to set this up specifically within your DAW in the next movie. The technique of controlling one's signal dynamics using another signal's interaction with the compressor's threshold is called side chaining. Instead of the compressor listening and reacting to the input signal, the processor is told to listen to another signal, known as the key, and base its compression decisions on that. One of the most common uses of side chains is ducking. Think about when a radio DJ talks over the music he's playing and how the music seems to automatically turn itself down, much quicker than a human can react with their…

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