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In a nutshell, here’s how to sidechain in Ableton Live:

1. Add the compressor plugin of your choice: Navigate to “Audio Effects” and drag your compressor of choice onto the track you want to duck in volume
2. Open the sidechain settings in your compressor: Click on the drop-down arrow found next to the “bypass” button to expand the sidechain settings
3. Select the external source: In the expanded sidechain panel, click the drop-down menu for Audio From and select the track you want to trigger the compression
4. Apply frequency-dependent sidechaining: Using the EQ section of the sidechain settings, filter specific frequency ranges for additional control over your sidechain compression
5. Fine-tune the compressor: Using the ratio, attack, release, and threshold controls, adjust the compressor settings to shape the response of the sidechain compressor

What is sidechaining?

Sidechaining is a production technique where one audio signal controls the dynamics of another. It’s most commonly used in electronic, pop, and hip-hop music to make space in a mix, prevent frequency clashes, and create the well-known “pumping” effect heard in dance music.

At its core, sidechain compression allows one audio signal to control the volume of another. Instead of a compressor reacting to the volume of the track it’s applied to, it responds to the levels of another sound.

The most common application of sidechaining is between the kick drum and bassline. As both sounds occupy the same low-end frequencies, they can clash and cause muddiness, frequency masking, or phase issues. Without sidechaining, a frequency-heavy bassline can mask the same frequencies occupied by a kick, resulting in losing its impact within a mix.

By linking a compressor on the bass track to the kick, the bass ducks in volume every time the kick hits, allowing the kick to retain its punch – without competing for space – and cut through your mix.

Sidechaining isn’t limited to just kick and bass. It’s also used to make vocals stand out by lowering the volume of background elements when the singer is active. It’s also used creatively in genres like house and techno where producers often apply sidechain compression to pads and synths to create a rhythmic, pulsing effect.

A classic example of sidechaining in action is Daft Punk’s “One More Time”. The heavy compression settings allow layers of synths to stack up without overpowering the kick drum, keeping the mix tight and energetic.

Whether you’re looking to achieve a cleaner mix or a dramatic pumping effect, sidechaining is an essential tool for any producer. It ensures that key elements remain clear and impactful while adding movement and groove to your track.

Where to use sidechaining in your mix

Sidechaining isn’t just for creating space between kick and bass – it’s also a creative tool for adding movement and energy to your track.

• Kick and Pads/Chords – Large chords can take up a lot of space in the mix. Sidechaining them to the kick creates a rhythmic pulsing effect, perfect for helping your melodies sit in your dance and electronic mixes.
• Vocals – Sidechain compression can make vocals stand out by subtly ducking instruments when the singer is active. You can also sidechain reverb and delay to keep the mix clean.
• Multiband Sidechaining – Instead of ducking an entire sound or channel, target specific frequency bands using Ableton’s Multiband Dynamics to keep a full mix balanced.
• Rhythmic Effects – Sidechaining doesn’t have to follow the kick. Try routing it to different elements to create unique, rhythmic pulsing effects.

How to sidechain in Ableton

1. Add the compressor plugin of your choice

The first step is to place an instance of a compressor to the channel or sound that you want to duck in volume in your mix. For example, if you want to reduce the volume of a bassline to make room for the kick drum, apply the compressor to the bassline channel.

Navigate to “Audio Effects” on the left and drag the compressor to your Audio Effects slot on the selected channel. It’s worth noting that there are multiple different compressor plugins in Ableton Live 12, each offering a different flavour; we recommend experimenting to find your favourite sound.

2. Open the sidechain settings in your compressor

Once your compressor is loaded, the next step is to open the sidechain settings. In Ableton Live 12, you can find the compressor sidechain settings via the downward-facing drop-down arrow next to the “bypass” button of the plugin. In this panel, you should see two sections:

• Audio From: This lets you select the audio track that will trigger the compression
• Sidechain EQ: An advanced technique that lets you filter the input signal by specific frequency ranges only

3. Select the External Source

In the expanded sidechain panel, click the menu for Audio From and in the drop-down menu, select the track that you want to use to trigger the compressor. The drop-down beneath offers Pre and Post-FX routing. Pre-FX routing is recommended as this bypasses any effects, compressors, or EQs applied to the sidechain channel to ensure the sidechain compression isn’t affected by other processors on the channel.

4. Apply frequency-dependent sidechaining

Using the EQ section of the expanded sidechain panel, you can dictate specific frequency ranges to trigger the sidechain compression for greater control.

Traditionally, when sidechaining a bassline to kick drum, you can use the EQ to filter everything except the low frequencies to ensure the compression is only reacting to the competing low-end frequencies. Alternatively, filter only the midrange of your pads or keyboards when sidechaining with your vocals for more accurate sidechain compression.

5. Fine-tune the compressor

The last step is to adjust the compressor using the normal parameters to shape the response of the sidechain compressor. Adjusting the ratio, attack, release and threshold will give you a huge amount of control over the effect of your sidechain. Use a fast attack, fast release, high ratio, and low threshold for the “French House” pumping effect, or use a fast attack, slow release, medium ratio, and high threshold for subtlety.

FAQs

How do I set up a sidechain?

Setting up a sidechain involves routing a control signal to a compressor’s sidechain input. Simply insert a compressor on the track, select the kick as the external sidechain input, and adjust threshold, ratio, attack, and release for the desired effect.

Do Daft Punk use Sidechain?

Daft Punk use sidechain compression as a core element of their production style. Their signature sound features heavy sidechain on the instrument bus, triggered by the kick drum to create the iconic pumping effect. This technique is a defining characteristic in tracks like “One More Time”.

Is sidechaining the same as ducking?

Ducking is the byproduct of sidechain compression. Sidechain compression lowers the volume of one sound against another that occupies the same frequency range. In EDM and pop production, sidechaining is widely used to provide more space between kick drums and bass instruments.

Final thoughts

Sidechain compression became a defining technique in EDM music production, helping producers craft the iconic pumping effect heard in countless dance tracks. While it’s most commonly used to create space between kick drums and basslines, it’s also a powerful tool for adding rhythm and movement to a mix.

When you know how to sidechain in Ableton, you’ll see how easy it is to apply across any instrument.

Want to learn more? Check out the following guides:

Ableton vs. Pro Tools – Which DAW is Right for You?

How to Sample a Song – A Guide to Music Sampling

Our Favourite Mixing Tips and Tricks