You can design numerous volume modulations within a track or mix using a sidechain plugin. Music producers will use stock compressors will modify whatever settings you configure during playing on its own, using a sidechain pumping can let you adjust the volume differences of a track without having to fiddle with its level manually.
In mixing a song, it’s critical to ensure that each sound has its own space to breathe and stand out as a starting point. To generate more richer-sounding sounds and more clarity in your mix, use EQs, compressors, reverb, delays, and distortion instruments for pumping sound. Compressors are primarily used to alter a sound’s envelope and amplitude. Sidechain is a type of compression that allows you to duck the incoming volume ducking and obtain a better result by allowing a different sound to show through as a starting point. There are numerous methods for sidechaining a sound, each with its own distinct characteristics for use in music production and mixing process.
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FabFilter Pro-C 2
For the most demanding engineers, FabFilter Pro-C 2 is a high-quality compressor plug-in. Pro-C 2 gets the job done in style, whether you require subtle mastering compression, an upfront lead vocal, that magic drum glue, or deep EDM pumping. Pro-C 2 comes with eight different compression methods, each with its own sound and personality. There’s more, though! Aside from the standard compressor controls, you get smooth lookahead, up to 4x oversampling, intelligent auto-gain and auto-release, variable knee, hold, range, external side-chain triggering, variable stereo linking, and mid/side processing, all wrapped up in a stunning Retina user interface.
The FabFilter Pro-C 2 interface has been completely revamped to provide intelligent metering and real-time displays, which will considerably improve workflow. The huge animated level/knee display depicts when, why, and how audio compression is performed to it. Accurate level meters display exact peak and loudness values, while the circular side-chain input meter simplifies the chore of selecting the ideal threshold setting. And the big side-chain EQ controller allows filtering the trigger signal in whatever way you want it easier than before. Of course, you get all of the usual FabFilter extras, such as perfectly tuned knobs, interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo, and A/B switch, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, an extensive help file with interactive help hints, sample-accurate automation, advanced optimization, and more! This is the Best Sidechain Plugin in 2023.
Cableguys VolumeShaper 6
VolumeShaper 6’s level manipulation toolkit allows you to shape audio signals in minute detail with sidechain compression. With a drawable volume LFO and visual compressor on each band, it’s quick and easy to use while still being powerful. With straightforward editing, premium presets, 1-click sidechain, and more, you can work at the speed of inspiration. Use VolumeShaper 6 alone or in conjunction with other Shapers in Cableguys’ ShaperBox 2 effects plugin to create intricate, multilayered effects that will make your productions stand out.
The Cable Guys Audio team has created a number of signal-shaping devices, including the Volume Shaper 6. Many of their plugins have been specifically intended to work together, much like a guitar pedal chain. The Volume Shaper is a basic yet useful device for quickly automating volume levels when editing or mixing. Multiband Compression allows you to focus on or avoid specific frequency bands during modulation. This control works in the same way as a 3-band EQ, and you may regulate how much your multiband settings effect your overall signal processing.
Complex modulation curves can be drawn in Pen Mode. This mode provides you with more modulation choices than regular automation line curves. You can use the Blend Parameter to blend their dry signal with their sidechained effect. This method can help you preserve punchiness while yet bonding your parts together by simulating parallel compression.
The LFO’s signal is given more dynamic control thanks to a built-in compression device. You may manage the attack, threshold, release, and makeup gain aspects of your affected signal just like you can with a standard compressor for sidechaining device. The inclusion of this unit in the plugin will aid in the speeding up of your workflow while creating any volume automation.
The sidechain compressor comes with a set of well-made essential control modules that work together seamlessly. During automation, the high-definition oscilloscope allows you to pinpoint accuracy for colorful filter responses. This unit may be a little too complicated for some producers, but for those who can figure out how it works, it should be a powerful tool. This is the Best Sidechain VST Plugin in 2023.
Cableguys ShaperBox 2 Bundle
It offers so many outstanding capabilities, the ShaperBox plugin is clearly one of our favorites from this list. You can either draw your own side-chain curve or choose one of the predefined side-chain curves at the bottom. ShaperBox also includes a compressor that can be activated by an input source, allowing for both volume automation and compression side-chaining. The fact that you can side-chain three different frequency bands individually is what makes this plugin unique. This means that if you want to side-chain the lows of a bass while keeping the attack of the high end, you can use a steeper high-end curve and a more gradual low-end curve.
ShaperBox 2 provides incredible melodic, rhythmic effects and helps solve complicated mix problems with eight powerful Cableguys effects – TimeShaper 2, VolumeShaper 6, NoiseShaper, FilterShaper Core 2, PanShaper 3, WidthShaper 2, CrushShaper, and DriveShaper. Load any Shaper effect and use our easily adjustable LFOs to generate the modulation shapes you need. Alternatively, you may utilize envelope followers that react to your audio. Filtering, volume, panning, stereo width, and even the passage of time can all be controlled. This is the Best Sidechain Plugins in 2023.
MAGIX Audio Plugin Union coreFX Suite
The coreFX Suite is the ultimate effect package, containing all of the tools needed for professional sound design: It comes with a rhythm effect for modern productions, five plug-ins for fine dynamic control, and three modulation effects for adding depth and space. The dry and treated waveforms are displayed in real time by all dynamic plug-ins. The coreFX Suite covers the most significant mixing and mastering effects, as well as dynamics and modulation options, and is compatible with any DAW. Clearly laid out, goal-oriented for practical use, and quite successful. Restore the importance of creativity in professional sound design.
coreFX VolumeFormer is a pump effect that is made by rhyhmically reducing and increasing the volume like a dubstep type wobble effects. It does not require any elaborate sidechain routing. The envelope’s form, i.e., drop and increase, as well as the modulation frequency, e.g., to match the beat, can all be modified freely. This provides a gate or sidechain effect, which is common in house, EDM, and rock and pop music.
The coreFX 2-Point-Compressor is a versatile compressor with two input stages that compress peaks to varying degrees depending on the parameters. This enables for the effective control of particularly loud areas of the signal while the rest of the signal is only modestly dampened. The audio signal cuts through the mix more effectively without sacrificing too much dynamic range.