Does sidechain compression actually compress???

chillpenguin · Post by **chillpenguin** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:30 am

Some people are saying that you should automate volume instead of use sidechain compression because you will squash your sound when all you really want is the volume to fade in and out. But others are saying that when you sidechain compress it doesn't actually compress it just acts like a volume automation. It seems weird to me but some people seem pretty sure about this. So my question is: when you sidechain compress is the compressor actually compressing the sound or is it just reducing the volume?

atlascesar · Post by **atlascesar** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:51 am

short answer: no, does not compress.

MassAphekt · Post by **MassAphekt** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:52 am

254ymq dcvvvvvvvvvvvvio,9u876h54f3wxa

atlascesar · Post by **atlascesar** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:01 am

MassAphekt wrote:254ymq dcvvvvvvvvvvvvio,9u876h54f3wxa

true, but although each compressor model will have different reduction curves, you could still draw in something similar as automation. good point though

jrisreal · Post by **jrisreal** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:16 am

atlascesar wrote:
MassAphekt wrote:254ymq dcvvvvvvvvvvvvio,9u876h54f3wxa
true, but although each compressor model will have different reduction curves, you could still draw in something similar as automation. good point though

wut

NinjaEdit · Post by **NinjaEdit** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:16 am

Sidechain compression doesn't actually sidechain either.

chillpenguin · Post by **chillpenguin** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:25 am

What do you mean it doesn't sidechain?

NinjaEdit · Post by **NinjaEdit** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:30 am

It technically doesn't take an external input like volume automation. The name is a bit misleading.

Instep · Post by **Instep** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:37 am

isn't the sidechain the input for another signal that acts as the input signal

the detector looks at one signal and applies the compression (gain reduction-->volume reduction) to another track..

bam

wormcode · Post by **wormcode** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 7:12 am

I always liked automation personally, usually recorded with a fader tweak or 10.

Depone · Post by **Depone** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 7:44 am

Yes, sidechain does compress, but it takes it's trigger audio from another source such as a kickdrum. The kickdrum tells the compressor to compress as if you were compressing the kick itself, but it's acting on another source like a pad or bass.

Compression is like volume automation but with dials to tune it in. Some people swear by vol automation, I find sidechaining more subtle.

nowaysj · Post by **nowaysj** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 8:03 am

^ Not a problem if you invert your 0 dbfs, all the headroom in the world.

x ParaTroXic · Post by **x ParaTroXic** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 1:15 pm

I'm not to sure but it acts the same I suppose, it makes the loudest bit sound (sub) quiter, for example when your kick hits. Not sure really.

Barka · Post by **Barka** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:12 pm

compression is nothing more then automated volume change, so yes it compresses it, but using a different signal for input.

but it doesn't "compress" the signal in a way you meant.

chillpenguin · Post by **chillpenguin** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:18 pm

Ok so just to be clear:
compression changes the dynamic range
sidechain compression only changes the volume

Is that right?

AxeD · Post by **AxeD** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:21 pm

What the f? Of course it compresses. It will compress any signal routed through the compressor whenever
the sidechain input hits the treshold right?

JTMMusicuk · Post by **JTMMusicuk** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:25 pm

yes but does flange really flange?

didi · Post by **didi** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:26 pm

Sidechain compression is a hand lowering the fader whenever the external input gets above a certain level.

Regular compression is a hand lowering the fader whenever the channel input gets above a certain level.

No offence but I suspect that you don't fully understand what compression is.

Barka · Post by **Barka** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:41 pm

dididub wrote:Sidechain compression is a hand lowering the fader whenever the external input gets above a certain level.

Regular compression is a hand lowering the fader whenever the channel input gets above a certain level.

No offence but I suspect that you don't fully understand what compression is.

Da truth!

nowaysj · Post by **nowaysj** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:47 pm

When did we start talking about hand lotion?

Does sidechain compression actually compress???

Does sidechain compression actually compress???

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