Sidechain compression

Sidechain compression lowers the volume of one track based on the signal from another. A common use is making a bass track duck every time a kick drum hits, so the kick cuts through the mix without clashing. Sidechaining is also useful for clearing space in a vocal mix or creating rhythmic pumping effects in electronic music.

Set Up Sidechain Compression in Pro Tools

Step 1. Insert a Compressor

On the track you want to compress (e.g., Bass), insert the Dyn3 Compressor/Limiter or another sidechain-capable compressor.

Step 2. Create a Send from the Trigger Track

On the track you want to use as the trigger (e.g., a Kick Drum if you’re ducking the bass), go to the Send section and choose an available Bus (e.g., Bus 1).
Raise the send level so the trigger signal is strong enough to activate the compressor. (Start around 0 dB and adjust as needed.)

Step 3. Select the Key Input

In the Compressor plug-in window, locate the Key Input selector at the top of the window (in the Side-Chain section).
Choose the same Bus you assigned in Step 2 (e.g., Bus 1).

Step 4. Activate the Side-Chain

Click the small Key button in the Side-Chain section to enable the external sidechain input.

Step 5. Adjust Compressor Settings

Lower the Threshold until you hear the bass duck when the kick plays.
Fine-tune the Ratio, Attack, and Release to shape the effect:
- Fast Attack: tight ducking that reacts quickly to the trigger.
- Medium Release: smooth recovery between hits.
- Higher Ratio: more pronounced ducking effect.

Troubleshooting Sidechain Compression

No ducking happening? Make sure the Key button is enabled in the compressor and the send isn’t muted.
Compression too extreme? Lower the send level or raise the threshold for a more natural effect.
Not the right track? Double-check that the compressor is on the track you want to reduce, not the trigger track.

Tips for Sidechaining

Kick vs. Bass: The classic technique — makes sure your kick drum stays punchy and clear.
Vocals vs. Pads: Duck synth pads or background layers under vocals to improve clarity.
Reverb/Dly Control: Sidechain a reverb or delay return so effects stay out of the way until the main sound fades.
Electronic Pumping: Use aggressive settings for the rhythmic pumping effect common in EDM.
Stay Subtle: For most mixes, less is more — aim for transparency unless you want a noticeable effect.

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