From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing
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Using side chains creatively
From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing
Using side chains creatively
What used to be reserved for the underground electronic music scene has since become a go-to technique for pop arrangers everywhere. Compressing a synth pad or a bass with a side-chain kick drum is a sound that you can't mistake. Let me show you how to set it up. Listen to this unprocessed kick drum and synth pad. (music playing) Now, listen as I enable the side-chain compressor on the synth. (music playing) Here's how I set it up. As with any side-chain workflow, we must first define what will be receiving the compression and what will act as the key of that compressor. In this case we want to compress or duck the synth pad every time the kick drum hits. Now, because the kick drum is plain and nice even four-on-the floor beat, this creates a cool breathing or pumping effect on the synth pad, as if it was swelling to the beat of the music. I'll start by applying the compressor to my synth pad. In this case, I'm using the Waves C1. Now, if I stopped here, I would simply be compressing…
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Contents
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(Locked)
Effectively using side-chain inputs2m 6s
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(Locked)
Using side chains creatively5m 4s
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Keying gates and compressors (and/or ducking)4m 12s
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Managing gain staging and headroom and fixing over-compressed tracks3m 20s
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Compression first or EQ first?2m 56s
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Understanding mix bus compression3m 26s
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Get in the Mix: Using mix bus compression2m 47s
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Get in the Mix: Working with parallel compression3m 46s
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Working with "modeled" vintage compressor/limiter plug-ins5m 57s
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(Locked)
Building healthy compression/limiting habits3m 4s
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(Locked)
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