A music producer’s job consists of making music that is pleasing to the ears of a particular audience. In electronic, hip-hop, dubstep, and many more, the most common example of music production techniques is sidechaining.
Sidechaining is a technique in which audio is used to trigger an effect. A common example of sidechaining is using the kick to lower the volume on a track – often causing a pumping effect in the music.
In this article, we will look at sidechaining in more depth, its benefits, disadvantages, and other similar techniques and terms associated with it.
What’s The Purpose of Sidechaining?
Sidechaining is most commonly used as a mixing tool to modify the dynamics of different instruments (or tracks) playing at the same time, such as compression for bass. Or, synchronization between visuals and sounds.
Sidechaining can be used to synchronize music with visuals to add intensity. This is done by changing the visuals dynamically to better reflect the music being played.
A common example of this is syncing the kick to the video to add a shake or increase the size of the video.
How Does Sidechaining Work?
Sidechaining works by using a sound/track to trigger an effect on another track/channel. The most common use case of this is using the kick channel to duck the volume on another track to allow the kick to punch through the mix harder.
Above is a screenshot of track 10 (Kick) sidechained to track 8. This alone, as it is set up, will do nothing, but what it will do is allow me to choose track 10 in certain effects (like a limiter) to be used as a trigger. In a limiter, I can use it to trigger the limiter to duck the volume on the track.
Examples of Sidechaining
Another music production technique utilized for this includes ducking, which is when the volume is lowered on the track.
For example, ducking music could lower music frequencies by about 10 dB every time someone speaks over music or each time the kick hits.
Another music production technique that can be used for music sidechaining is expanding music to increase dynamics within music – this may help to avoid music sounding dead or flat when using music production techniques like Sidechaining.
For example, music that is highly compressed would have much more pronounced bass sounds and seems louder overall than if it were not compressed at all. Expanding the highs and lows of music helps to even out dynamics so there are no dead parts in music.
Music producers who want their music to breathe may consider utilizing these types of music production techniques together with Sidechaining techniques.
Compression essentially makes loudness more level and brings out quieter sounds; music producers may utilize this music production technique in conjunction with music like Sidechaining to produce music that breaths and reacts to changes in dynamics and levels of intensity within the music.
Benefits of Sidechaining
The biggest benefit of sidechaining is that it can be used to allow the music or certain instruments to breathe, sound less static, and can give music a deeper rhythmic quality. It also provides a bridge between music and visuals.
Punchier Drums
One of the most common sidechaining techniques is to sidechain the kick drum to the bass, 808, pads, or even the entire track to allow the kick to punch through the mix or pulse the song to the tempo.
Dynamic Music
Sidechaining can give the track more dynamics by not only lowering the volume of certain sounds but also allowing a greater amount of frequencies to be heard in other sections. By lowering one sound you’re allowing another tone to stand out more.
Adds Interest and Intensity
Another benefit of music Sidechaining is music sounds more interesting and appealing to the listener when music production techniques like this are applied with music synchronization in mind.
Links Visuals to the Music
Music producers can utilize music production techniques to sync the frequencies to different visual elements. It allows help music to fit visuals better so it syncs perfectly with what is being shown on screen.
For example, music will have a much more dramatic effect when music sidechaining is applied in music videos and music can drop dramatically at exciting points throughout a music video.
Disadvantages of Sidechaining
One of the main cons of music production techniques like this is that it’s usually very obvious when music volume changes are made. Another con is if it goes on for too long, music can sound lifeless or dead.
Improper Usage
Improper usage of sidechaining can sound intrusive or distracting. In some cases, it can result in a track sounding like a person turning the volume up and down on it.
Adding sidechaining just to add sidechaining can be detrimental. Sidechaining may not be the best option for what the artist may want music to convey in the music.
Can Cause Music to Sound Lifeless
Sidechaining, while able to can add dynamics and intensity to a track, can cause music to sound lifeless by being too repetitive and strong. Imagine a song that is going hard only to have the breakdown section still be utilizing sidechaining – it would prevent softer dynamics from coming through in the mix.
Summary
Sidechaining, in music production, is a technique that links one track to another to control an effect. The most common use case is using the limiter/compressor effect on instruments or vocals to create more space for those sounds to stand out or lower in volume.
Sidechaining, in music production, can be used to allow the music or certain instruments to breathe, sound less static, and can give music a deeper rhythmic quality. It also provides a bridge between music and visuals.
One of the main cons of music production techniques like this is that it’s usually very obvious when music volume changes are made. Another con is if it goes on for too long, music can sound lifeless or dead.
In today’s music industry, many songs on the radio are utilizing this technique to produce more interesting and intense music.