Side Chain Compressor

[LeVzi]

So everyone uses side chain or at least knows about it, but what actual compressors do you use ?

I guess the most tweakable make the most finely tuneable SC compressors, so throw some names at me.

Also, I guess it would have to be a fast acting compressor too.

Let me know what you use.

I would do a poll with loads in it, but that's too much work

[legendCNCD]

Mostly using Live's internal ones.

[LeVzi]

I should have added, third party ones tbh, my bad, I have been using Cubase's internal one too, but just wondering if there is a better third party option

[imrae]

Klanghelm's DC8C3 is fast, very tweakable and reasonably priced.

[LeVzi]

Klanghelm's DC8C3 is fast, very tweakable and reasonably priced.

Id completely forgotten about that. And I own it......

Thanks for reminding me ><

[jBam]

For pumping (or you know, gentle rhythmic
stuff that you used to use e.g. a kick -> sidechain comp for): shaperbox

For creating mix space I just use stock (cubase too)... I don't love it... hard to get a good volume match if the feed isn't playing (like dropping a kick drum for a few bars)... but fine for up to 3db. 3db is often plenty for this.... but I find it's hard to hit a sweet spot without going too deep on threshold, and then if I drop the feed... way to fckn loud...

Was just starting to look into some more options in other plugs I own... I'll keep an eye on this thread or add if I find something I like more...

[LeVzi]

For pumping (or you know, gentle rhythmic
stuff that you used to use e.g. a kick -> sidechain comp for): shaperbox

For creating mix space I just use stock (cubase too)... I don't love it... hard to get a good volume match if the feed isn't playing (like dropping a kick drum for a few bars)... but fine for up to 3db. 3db is often plenty for this.... but I find it's hard to hit a sweet spot without going too deep on threshold, and then if I drop the feed... way to fckn loud...

Was just starting to look into some more options in other plugs I own... I'll keep an eye on this thread or add if I find something I like more...

That's my issue with it, when I don't want ducking completely , finding that sweet spot can be really annoying. Was wondering what people use that might be better.

[legendCNCD]

Hmm, actually rarely use anything outside live's compressor or glue, but trackspacer? When the previous choices are not enough, trackspacer to the rescue.

I do find the default compressors in live quite good now.

[MirkoVanHauten]

ProC2. Great compressor in general and has options to show, audition, filter, level, m/s link the sidechain signal.

[gentleclockdivider]

Dc8c and fircomp 2

[_leras]

That's my issue with it, when I don't want ducking completely , finding that sweet spot can be really annoying. Was wondering what people use that might be better.

Perhaps using something like a cymbal as the trigger instead?

A lot of people these days create a separate trigger track, so that it can be dropped in/out easily during arrangement etc.

Tuning the sweet spot can be fiddly - but you should only need to set it once per track, right?

[LeVzi]

That's my issue with it, when I don't want ducking completely , finding that sweet spot can be really annoying. Was wondering what people use that might be better.

Perhaps using something like a cymbal as the trigger instead?

A lot of people these days create a separate trigger track, so that it can be dropped in/out easily during arrangement etc.

Tuning the sweet spot can be fiddly - but you should only need to set it once per track, right?

Depends on what you are sidechaining I guess. Because on some heavy basslines you don't want to completely duck just enough to get the kick through, and then if you move to a diff bassline, you might want it out the way completely. But normally should be one set of settings per project.

[pixel85]

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.

[LeVzi]

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.

Isn't that their updated GUI too ?

[Halonmusic]

Density mkIII and DC8C