25/06/2010
Side-chaining with 'Auto Filter'
This is another way to achieve a similar result to side-chaining with a compressor. I like to use this method sometimes simply because it yields a different result. Rather then squashing the sound every time your key input plays (Fig 1) it rather filters frequencies out of it making it slightly less destructive and cleaner and "better" (I say better although it's obviously subjective. Sometimes you want that compressed sound). (Fig 2) Personally I believe the less compression, limiting and general squashing of sounds and frequencies you use the "better" (providing you can glue the sounds together using equalisers and other forms of processing).
Steps to getting Auto filter to do this :
1. Open up the sidechain section of the plugin by pressing the "Sidechain" button"
2. Set your key input to be whatever you want (typically it would be your kick channel)
3. Set your filter type to high pass filter (let the high frequencies past)
4. Turn envelope up (this will determine the amount it shoots up from the cutoff value every time your key input plays)
5. Set your attack and release time constraints.
6. Mess with your Q (resonance) and frequency points (this can take a bit to get right)
7. Tweak any other parameters you may want (such as gain in the sidechain section to produce more envelope if you have reached the max value on there already)
Sometimes a mixture of sidechain filtering and compression can be good!
There are no limits with processing. Do what you want and be as creative as you can. If it sounds good leave it!
Fig 1 : Look at that gain reduction meter smashing your signal! (can be desired a lot of the time)
Fig 2 : Nice sweeps from high to low giving the kick room to do its thing yet no squashing to be done at all!
Hear the difference here!
Compression sidechain : So it sounds pretty crushed. Like house music pretty much. It sounds like a standard compressor action.
Auto filter sidechain : You hear it glides down the frequencies truely separating it from the kick. It gives the kick a lot more room to be big. Although it doesn't glue properly. It doesn't work entirely well for bass. Perhaps try it on synths? or percussion maybe? Either way it sounds different and exiting to the ear which is nice!
Thanks a lot for visiting and thanks very much for your support !!
Cheers,
