Side Chain Compressor

[jBam]

has insanely small points like "0.184362525621", proceeded by ""0.184362525622".

Good to know. I've often wondered how the automation worked on a channel fader... not sure what your daw is, but I've assumed cubase was rendering visual curves as a series of straight lines, which in turn are a series of integer steps... I mean, it used to be like that... in fact, it's cubase, so it probably still is lol... but nice to see that volume automation resolution should make concern a bit of a nothing issue.

[bmanic]

If you need more traditional compressor side-chaining (for opening up a mix and general clarity) then I always suggest compressors that are highly program dependent. This makes the setting up of the side-chaining a bit easier as it'll dynamically later the attack and release times according to what you feed it's side-chain. Pro-C2 is an excellent plugin for this task.. as is klanghelm DC8C and a myriad of the Analog Obsession compressors.

However, the opposite is true if you want very precise rhythmic movement and a solid reliable "pulse" to whatever track it is you want side-chained. In this case, if you still want tons of control and tweakability, I can definitely recommend DDMF Comprezzore. It gives you full access to both the transfer curve and extremely reliable and minute detail control of both attack and release shapes. Basically you yourself are in control of the program dependency and how it operates.

[jBam]

Dc8c keeps popping up... might need to take a look at some point (and I'm a big fan of klanghelm)...

Edit: and good point on program dependent...

[DJ Warmonger]

Also the mixer channel faders work at true 64-bit double-precision, so each of those curves has insanely small points like "0.184362525621", proceeded by ""0.184362525622". In other words... the precision and smoothness of the curves is probably better than almost any 3rd party plugin.

It's also better than any target audio format, and certainly better than your own ears. Nobody listens to the music with the precision of 12 digits ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[LeVzi]

The whole point was not to completely duck, just precise dropping of the bass enough to let the kick through, without taking the bassline away. Drawing it with automation is a ballache.

I whipped up that above example in seconds. Ofcourse you can change "Music" to "Bass Bus" or anything - and you can edit the duck curve so it goes really deep, or subtle. You only have to edit one automation curve, and it applies to all the other copies of it - atleast that's how it works in FL Studio which is really easy.

Also the mixer channel faders work at true 64-bit double-precision, so each of those curves has insanely small points like "0.184362525621", proceeded by ""0.184362525622". In other words... the precision and smoothness of the curves is probably better than almost any 3rd party plugin. When rendered, there is no zipper noise. You can also nudge all of the automation copies forward so you essentially get a "lookahead" effect when it begins ducking just before the kick (or whatever). This is a true zero-latency, zero-aliasing process unlike a lot of plugins.

You can also draw several automations so you can have a deep duck on the kick, and subtle duck on the snare etc - all on the same automation lane.

I don't see the ballache at all. Volume Shaper and those kinds of plugins are more a ballache cuz you gotta futz around with sidechaining into it. I would argue that anything involving non-typical routing across channels and diving into VST settings to access it, adds complexity, not simplification.

But ok, do it your way

It's a ballache in Cubase. That's all I need to know.

[simon.a.billington]

Cubase native compressor. I can do all "pumping" tasks with it no problem.
For stuff like pads, non-critical elements I'm using often Waves Pumper

iZotope Neutron or Waves F6 for multiband duties. I would use more often native Frequency EQ in Cubase but it has only one type of shelf curve and workflow is not that great because of "archaic" GUI.

I'd add C6 to that list for multiband ducking. Personally I prefer it for this kind of task over the F6. Timing of the envelopes is also important for sidechain compression. For an obvious pump sound you'll want to be more extreme with the settings. I usually settle for transparent.

I do have IK's Quad Comp, but it doesn't have a sidechain. Though Lindell's 354E is a great choice if you want to infuse a bit of saturation vibe at the same time. It's effectively a multiband Neve 254, but with a few other modern day conveniences, like sidechain.

I generally use a gate tool if I wanted an obvious ducking/slicing kind of effect. Waves MetaFilter for example, or the Arturia Filters.