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Side Chain Tips for Electronic Music Production

5 side chain tips extracted from 5 tutorials by Alice Efe - Mercurial Tones Academy and Sam Smyers and 1 more. Each tip links to the exact timestamp in the source video.

#side-chain#reference-tracks#mixinghouse
Capture and save side chain reference presets
Problem: Reusing side chain reference settings across sessions
You can capture a side chain signal as a reference preset by clicking the kebab menu and naming it. This allows you to toggle between your original signal and the saved side chain reference for instant A/B comparisons.…
#side-chain#mixing#sound-design#serumedmfuture-bass
Side chain with kickstart for pumping effect
Problem: lack of rhythmic interaction between kick and bass
Using kickstart as a side chain trigger creates a pumping effect by ducking the bass when the kick hits. This enhances rhythmic cohesion between kick and bass, a staple in EDM and future bass. The speaker emphasizes this…
#side-chain#compression#mixing#bassdrum-and-bass
Side chain compress sub bass to duck on kick
Problem: muddy, competing kick and bass
Using a side chain compressor on the sub bass to duck when the kick hits prevents frequency clashes. This is essential in drum and bass for ensuring the kick cuts through the mix. The result is a tighter, more dynamic…
#side-chain#mixing#basshousetrance
Reduce bass side-chaining depth for more foundational presence
Problem: bass over-pumps with melody
Lowering the side-chain depth on the bass allows it to sit more firmly in the mix, reducing pumping effects caused by the melody. This makes the bass a more stable, foundational element rather than a rhythmic accent.…
#side-chain#compression#rhythmtrance
Use side chain compression for rhythmic control
Problem: lack of rhythmic dynamics in the mix
The speaker mentions using the 'side chain' feature in Logic and other DAWs to route signals for compression. This technique allows for dynamic control of one track (e.g., a synth) based on another (e.g., a kick drum),…