How to Side Chain in Cubase: A Beginner’s Guide

Side chaining is a powerful technique used in music production to create a unique sound that can add depth and interest to your tracks. It is a popular effect that can be heard in many genres of music, from EDM to hip-hop. If you’re a Cubase user, you’re in luck because the software has a built-in side chain feature that is easy to use.

Side chaining is a technique that involves using the audio signal from one track to control the level of another track. This is achieved by routing the audio from one track to a compressor on another track. The compressor then reduces the volume of the second track whenever the audio from the first track is playing. The result is a pumping or ducking effect that can add a sense of rhythm and energy to your music. In Cubase, side chaining can be used in a variety of ways, from creating a pumping effect on a bassline to adding space to a vocal track.

Understanding Side Chain in Cubase

Side chaining is a technique used in music production to control the level of one audio signal with another. In Cubase, side chaining is used to create a pumping effect, where a track’s volume is reduced every time another track plays. This technique is commonly used in electronic dance music (EDM) and can be used to create a more dynamic mix.

To side chain in Cubase, you need to have two audio tracks: the source track (the track that you want to control the volume of) and the destination track (the track that you want to use to control the volume of the source track).

Once you have your tracks set up, you can use the side chain feature in Cubase to route the destination track’s audio signal to the source track’s volume control. This allows you to use the destination track’s audio to control the volume of the source track.

To set up side chaining in Cubase:

1. Insert a compressor plugin on the source track.
2. Open the compressor plugin’s side chain menu.
3. Select the destination track as the side chain input.
4. Adjust the compressor settings to achieve the desired pumping effect.

It’s important to note that the compressor settings you use will affect the intensity of the pumping effect. For example, a higher ratio will result in a more pronounced pumping effect, while a lower ratio will result in a more subtle effect.

In addition to creating a pumping effect, side chaining can also be used to create a more natural-sounding mix. For example, you can use side chaining to reduce the volume of a bass track every time a kick drum plays, allowing the kick drum to stand out in the mix.

side chaining is a powerful technique that can be used to create a more dynamic and interesting mix. With Cubase’s easy-to-use side chain feature, you can quickly and easily incorporate this technique into your music production workflow.

Setting Up Your Cubase Project

When it comes to side chaining in Cubase, the first step is to ensure that your project is set up correctly. Here are a few sub-sections to help you get started:

Choosing the Right Track

The first thing you need to do is decide which track you want to apply side chaining to. This is typically the track that you want to “duck” or compress when another track is playing. For example, if you have a vocal track that is getting lost in the mix when the bass track is playing, you can apply side chaining to the bass track to automatically lower its volume when the vocal track is playing.

Adjusting the Settings

Once you have chosen the track you want to apply side chaining to, you need to adjust the settings. This involves setting up a compressor on the track that is doing the side chaining. The compressor should be set to “listen” to the track that you want to trigger the side chain. You can do this by selecting the side chain input in the compressor settings.

You also need to adjust the threshold, ratio, attack, and release settings to achieve the desired effect. The threshold determines the level at which the compressor starts to work, while the ratio determines how much the volume is reduced. The attack and release settings determine how quickly the compressor reacts to changes in volume.

setting up your Cubase project for side chaining is a straightforward process. By choosing the right track and adjusting the settings, you can achieve a more balanced and professional-sounding mix.

Creating a Side Chain Effect

Side chain compression is an essential technique in music production, used to create a “pumping” effect on an audio source. In Cubase, it is easy to set up a side chain effect using the built-in compressor plugin.

Selecting the Side Chain Source

The first step in creating a side chain effect is to select the source that will trigger the compression. This is usually a kick drum or bassline, but it can be any audio source that you want to use to trigger the pumping effect.

To select the side chain source in Cubase, follow these steps:

1. Insert the compressor plugin on the track that you want to apply the effect to.
2. Click on the “Side Chain” button in the plugin interface.
3. In the “Side Chain Input” dropdown menu, select the audio track that you want to use as the trigger.

Applying the Side Chain Effect

Once you have selected the side chain source, you can apply the compression effect to the track. Here’s how to do it:

1. Adjust the compressor settings to your liking. You can adjust the threshold, ratio, attack, and release settings to control the amount of compression and the timing of the pumping effect.
2. Play back your track and listen to the effect. You may need to adjust the settings until you achieve the desired result.
3. If you want to apply the effect to multiple tracks, you can use the “Group Channel” feature in Cubase to route the audio to a single channel and apply the side chain effect to that channel.

By following these simple steps, you can easily create a side chain effect in Cubase and add an extra layer of dynamic interest to your music production.

Advanced Techniques for Side Chaining

Using Multiple Side Chains

One of the advanced techniques for side chaining in Cubase is using multiple side chains. This technique allows you to apply different side chain compressions to different elements of your mix. For example, you can side chain the bass and the kick drum separately to create a more dynamic and punchy mix.

To use multiple side chains in Cubase, you need to create a group channel for each element you want to side chain. Then, you can apply the side chain compression to each group channel individually. This technique requires some experimentation and tweaking to get the desired effect, but it can be a powerful tool for creating a more complex and dynamic mix.

Side Chaining with Different Effects

Another advanced technique for side chaining in Cubase is using different effects for the side chain signal. Instead of using a standard compressor, you can use other effects like EQ, delay, or reverb to shape the side chain signal and create unique and interesting effects.

For example, you can use an EQ to boost the frequencies of the side chain signal that correspond to the kick drum, creating a more pronounced pumping effect. Or, you can use a delay or reverb to create a rhythmic or atmospheric effect that interacts with the rest of the mix.

To use different effects for the side chain signal in Cubase, you need to route the side chain signal to a separate channel and apply the effect to that channel. Then, you can route the processed side chain signal back to the original channel and apply the side chain compression as usual.

using multiple side chains and different effects for side chaining can take your mixes to the next level and add a unique and creative touch to your productions.

Common Problems and Solutions

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Side chaining can be a tricky technique to master, and it’s not uncommon to run into some issues along the way. Here are some common problems you might encounter when side chaining in Cubase, and how to solve them:

• No Sound is Coming Through the Side Chain: If you’re not hearing any sound coming through the side chain, make sure that you have the correct input selected for the side chain source. Also, check that the side chain is enabled on the track that you want to side chain to.

• Side Chain is Not Triggering: If the side chain is not triggering, check that the input signal is loud enough to trigger the compressor. You may also need to adjust the threshold and attack settings on the compressor to ensure that it’s reacting to the input signal.

• Side Chain is Too Loud or Too Quiet: If the side chain is too loud or too quiet, adjust the gain on the side chain source or the input gain on the compressor to achieve the desired level.

Avoiding Side Chain Mistakes

Side chaining can be a powerful tool in your mixing arsenal, but it’s important to use it wisely. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when side chaining in Cubase:

• Overusing Side Chain: It’s easy to get carried away with side chaining, but using it too much can result in an unnatural and distracting mix. Use side chaining sparingly and only when it’s necessary to achieve your desired effect.

• Using Side Chain to Fix Poor Arrangement: Side chaining can be used to create space in your mix, but it’s not a substitute for a well-arranged track. If your mix is cluttered, try rearranging your tracks before resorting to side chaining.

• Not Listening to the Mix as a Whole: When side chaining, it’s important to listen to the mix as a whole to ensure that the effect is working in context with the rest of the mix. Don’t get too caught up in the details of the side chain and forget about the big picture.

Conclusion

sidechain compression is an essential technique in music production, and Cubase provides an easy-to-use sidechain feature that allows you to create dynamic and interesting effects in your tracks. By routing audio from one track to another, you can create a pumping effect that adds energy and groove to your music.

Whether you want to add a subtle touch of sidechain compression to your mix or go all-out with a pumping effect, Cubase’s sidechain feature gives you the flexibility to achieve the sound you want. With just a few clicks, you can set up sidechain compression in Cubase and start experimenting with different settings and techniques.

Remember, sidechain compression is just one of the many tools in your music production arsenal, and it’s important to use it judiciously. Don’t overdo it, and always listen to your mix with fresh ears to make sure that the effect is working in the context of the song.

We hope that this guide has been helpful in demystifying the sidechain compression technique and showing you how to use it in Cubase. With a little practice and experimentation, you’ll soon be incorporating sidechain compression into your music production workflow like a pro.