How to use Sidechain Compression in Cakewalk by Bandlab

[@Stevethesearcher]

Mike I have to hand it to you. You are doing a great job with the Cakewalk tutorials. BandLab should get you onboard to do official videos for them.

[@CreativeSauce]

Cheers Steve :)

[@raphaelwolfgang2484]

Agreed!

[@mizaron1]

@@CreativeSauce I don't know if it's my computer or youtube, but I was looking for things in the description but nothings there. Usually I can find the links to the products you inform us of but in a few videos I can't find them. Any ideas?

[@Patrickillian]

Agree!

[@Mjr._Kong]

At first I thought this WAS the official Cakewalk tutorial channel.

[@darrenoak7187]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you Mike

[@petgod1]

This is my Cakewalk 'Go To' channel. Thank you Mike, for not only being knowledgeable, but for the clarity and no nonsense approach to your tutorials.

[@stephenowens1965]

such a great TEACHER!!! I've joined the Produce like a Pro Academy, but I'll tell ya what................. when it comes to detailed, easy to understand and apply teaching and application,............. you're the man!! Thank you for all you do sir.

[@clementinelives]

Best cakewalk tutorials, no contest

[@brianbatie6650]

Glad to see some love for Cakewalk on the web. It is so often overlooked in favor of some of the far more expensive, but (debatable) inferior DAWs like Protools, or Cubase/Nuendo, Reaper, Studio One, etc. I go all the way back to when Cakewalk was a DOS based midi-only sequencer, (thanks, Greg Hendershott) and grew through all the iterations . Now to my point. If I am mixing dialog with music, like voice-overs for commercials, I can use sidechain, (not to the degree demonstrated here) but I rather just draw the volume curves, so no pumping, but I can get a quick recovery after the speaking part is done. For music, I've never really used it for bass/bass drum interaction, I like to get my levels and balances so that it usually isn't necessary. I try not to use compression, but if I have to, I try to use compression in such a way that the effect is barely noticeable if at all, because full band compressors change different parts of the spectrum, thus changing the overall EQ. Failing that, I might sidechain with a multiband compressor, because I'd likely only want the most salient frequencies of the target to be attenuated, not the entire spectrum. But because all audio equipment, even handphone players can get quite loud, I don't chase the loudest overall levels. For me, the more dynamic range to play with, the better. Having said that, great presentation, keep up the good work.

[@KenEden-m7p]

Mike, I have just watched your video on side-chaining and many other extremely helpful videos regarding Cakewalk by Bandlab. You have a unique and simplified way of explaining things. I just want to say thank you. Your videos have become my bible for how to in Cakewalk.

[@danfahland6633]

Thanks Mike! You are truly a master when it comes to explaining this stuff...music professors at our university couldn't touch the clarity you have to offer!

[@davidefelix]

This is the best description and demo of sidechain

[@TheProduceAisleMusic]

MIKE I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!!!!!!!!! Thank you for making this, hooray forever

[@timothyreynolds6255]

100% useful - 2 examples to drive the point home. I understand Sidechaining in Cakewalk and the overall concept and use!

[@ShambaMenelect]

Dope Man. Im using this technique for 2 tracks making the vocals sit pretty.

[@e-sixxrms5445]

Use the sidechaining for kick and 808!!

[@davidnewell3669]

Thanks!

[@carlosvaahtera7421]

Hi Mike!.I used to be working with another DAW and now I started with Cakewak,and it´s very intuitive but I need to know all stuff about it.I knew what it´s "Side Chain" but not how to do it in Cakewalk.So I found your videos and your explanations are very,very clear. Thanks a lot for your videos! Greetings from Argentina.

[@WaveHeartSoulArt]

I pressed dislike but my musical ear started to blame me for what I did! For sure I liked and subscribed to your great channel! Grateful for your perfect explanations! Stay blessed! 🥰💚🙏🏻

[@traxmark]

Mike, this is the best explanation and demonstration of sidechain compression on KZbin by far. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@auchild433]

creative sauce got me hyped up on that creative energy! thanks for video

[@blakedanner5911]

This video was explained a lot better than any other sidechained compression video I've seen, and id like to think that my comment from a little bit back caused this video to be made so it makes me like you that much more for listening to what people have to say. Anyway thank you. So much of what i know is because of you

[@jeremiahpeterson7490]

One of the best videos yet I've seen on sidechaining, simple yet clear! Thanks Mike, for this and your other videos!

[@martynroach182]

Hi Mike that's the simplest, most practical way I've seen sidechaining explained! Many thanks 👍

[@Hive5ive]

I use aux tracks for all my side chaining. I usually make an aux track, put it to no output. I leave the input to the track it's based off of, (i.e. vox, drums etc.) Then I send whatever I want to send to that aux, be it fx, or whatever. The main track then I use a send from the aux like I would an fx send. The reason I do it this way is because it gives me maximum control. I can automate, mute, draw, whatever I want on the aux track, and the effect will be heard on my intended audio track, without having to clutter it up with lines of automation and such. It's a really clean way to work. I especially love doing this with vocals. I have my usual busses set up, room, plate, hall, slap and throw delays. Then I make an aux off my lead vox track, and send whichever fx I want on the vocal to that. I dial in the amount I want on the aux, and then add a compressor right there. The compressor automatically is reacting to the vocal, no need to tell it anything extra. An extra benefit is that you can ride the fader of the aux track for extra fine tuning.

[@FredsGratisScores]

And all this time I was looking at getting a compressor with a side-chain capability not knowing that the built-in Cakewalk Sonitus compressor already had that feature, thanks Mike! I'll be watching that FX send for other plug-ins an audio signal can be sent to.

[@champchas]

Thanks that's a light bulb moment. That's the first time I've ever seen sidechain compression explained in an understandable way.

[@petecarroll703]

Hey Mike, after watching this I've been using sidechain to get my kick drum to just ride over the top of my floor tomms when I have a busy drum part happening. It works a treat keeping the kick up front. Thanks for your great work.

[@CreativeSauce]

Awesome Pete! Great use of the technique :)

[@sewind6613]

Loving _all_ your Cakewalk videos, having just "found" you. Brilliant stuff. Thank you.

[@sevenfifteen]

Mike, I don't miss any Cakewalk tutorial from you! I like that you start explaining at the beginning. Mostly I know of the basics, but that's fine, I can just skip ahead. But those who need this information, will be thankful that it's there. And a little technical statement, that might be interesting: Cakewalk recognizes all audio inputs of a plugin and offers to route to them. Those inputs will be named according to "plugin name" +"(input #)" + "- track name it's applied to". The sonitus compressor is an exception in that regard, hardcoded to display "sidechain". I've tested it by creating a prototype plugin with 5 stereo inputs. Works like a charm. All 5 inputs routed into the plugin and controlled from there. Have no idea what to use it for, but it's awesome to know it works.

[@thebittermass]

Another belter! Thanks as always, Mike

[@ClintonAshworth]

Fantastic! I knew what Sidechain compression was but had no idea how to implement it. My next music project is going to be all the better because of this tutorial! Thank you!

[@Mjr._Kong]

Excellent explanation -- you're one of the most helpful subs I've made in years!

[@CreativeSauce]

Thank you :)

[@guitarjonn7103]

Your my new favorite channel here, love your content and how you present it, for me, it's gold.

[@ChrisMedway]

Brilliant lesson to something that always eluded me, and using the software and plugins that I use. Thanks

[@jimfogle184]

I learn something new in every one of your videos, Mike. One thing you forgot to mention is that not all compressors have side chain capability.

[@tomfeltner]

Useful information - clearly and concisely explained - thanks!

[@gillesschetagne1637]

Finaly, afer my 3rd listening I understood very well and it's not because you're not clear. Thank you so much Mike!!!

[@bartosziwin3568]

Love your cakewalk's tutorials! This video was very usefull! Well explained !

[@rn369]

Love this! Thank you for taking the time to put this together. 👍

[@CreativeSauce]

Thank you, my pleasure:)

[@mikeguy3767]

Brilliant explanation & exposition as always Mike, continued thanks from the UK - you are the man to go to for Cakewalk [with the greatest of respect to other excellent posters]. Keep safe, keep posting.

[@pandemoniumhotel1151]

ONce again thank you even my brother is on Cakewalk now and using your channel thanks from us both

[@myrio1]

I found this oh the web! Here’s a top notch trick to get your vocals to sit on top of the mix nicely. Send everything but the vocals to their own aux, and apply a very subtle compressor (only a few dB’s reduction). Side chain the lead vocals to this compressor. This will dip the track by a 2 or 3 dB’s every time the vocals come in. Remember to be subtle.

[@joegrint6280]

Really clear description Mike - very helpful thanks!

[@chrisknowles64]

YAY MIKE!! I haven't had a chance to watch this but am so glad you did it, thanks!!

[@chrisknowles64]

Just watched it! You don't disappoint!!

[@marknicholson5508]

Great video, really useful. Thanks Mike!

[@academicmisconductmusic]

Great explanation, Mike, as usual. Following your instructions, I can achieve side-chain compression using one track to trigger compression on another. However, I cannot get equivalent results using buses. When I use my VOCALS BUS to compress my GUITAR BUS bus, I simply don't get any results. Is there a trick to using buses for side-chain compression or this a limitation of the DAW?

[@marc_leblanc]

You read my mind. I was looking for such a video just this past weekend. Thanks!

[@therealjackfisher]

Ahhh how nice. New cakewalk video. This is actually more usefull for vocals rather then for talking. This is the key to clearing some of the stuff that in our ears sound great but they take over the vocals so you cant hear the song. You want to hear everything and what i like about this is that the compression is barely noticable but the voice so much clearer. When i listen to the Sabaton i hear that the vocals get taken over by other sounds. You want these sounds in the mix because they are awesome, but you want vocals to be heard and understood, and so i think the Sabaton should come for a sound lesson to you Mike.

[@CreativeSauce]

100% :)

[@therealjackfisher]

@@CreativeSauce 100% kzbin.info/www/bejne/maatnGmDebqNfK8 this song would be 1000% better in quality if they used your recording tactics. Here is example of where the Sabaton could use your sound strategy 2:08 of this song start to get super hard to hear and understand.Thank you MIKE! Lets learn above the Sabaton quality!b THANK YOU!

[@shiftcyclicity]

Great video Mike! I was happy to see an example being mentioned that isn't about the bass and drums. I've been experimenting with SC compression myself lately and found it to be useful in many different situations. One of the best I can say is to duck down reverb under any instrument/vocals to not make it sound washed out. Mixing was a lot more fun since I learned that lol. Keep up the good work :)

[@rixius1337]

thank you for your assistance! your videos are great, very informative

[@keithlane4705]

side chaining reverb bus's is a fave

[@CreativeSauce]

Yes! Absolutely :)

[@rosssmithe]

This is so awesome, great vid! For the first time I really understand the concept and was able to set it up and start utilizing in CW. My first task is to sidechain the reverb and delay on the FX bus, and it’s working like a charm! Really a game changer on applying these effects. Thanks Mike!

[@MG-br5vc]

Amazing as usual, Mike!

[@marcoborge2128]

Mike you rule man! thanks so much, blessings!

[@crawlingman7003]

Excellent 👍 I’ve saved a link to this essential Enjo video.

[@AyoVp]

Thank you for all the calkwalk videos! I'm attempting to step up my mixing abilities and plan to use all your videos as a reference

[@salabb]

Thanks Mike, great stuff!

[@roarproductionsstudio]

Why did you switch to studio one?

[@joelarmendariz8876]

great instruction very informative

[@PeterPanQuails]

Thank you Mike once again for the excellent tutorial. Example 1 is a great technique for auto-ducking the music track against the voice track. I have been wondering how to do this in Cakewalk

[@thejoybeck]

Thank you for this! Learned something today

[@CreativeSauce]

Awesome!

[@DiegoThoms]

I love your channel. I've learned a lot to make my home made mixings. Thanks! I wonder if there is a way to compress by frequency band. For example, to trigger compression jut for the basses in a single instrument.

[@marcoborge2128]

Mike I have a question for u if you' d be so kind to answer..how do you get those cool icons below the faders on your tracks? They look just awesome! Thanx so much

[@KiranIgnatius]

Super tutorial

[@СергейКузьмин-ы1ъ]

Спасибо. Полезная информация. 🙂👍

[@mimojapan]

Great explanation (of course :D). Also very visible thanks to your grading down on the screen resolution. Cheers! P.S.: Still pondering about the cam movement in your mic test clip :D

[@bassmanjez3842]

Would that help vocals to sit better in the mix?

[@ZangalangaTube]

Hi, and what happened if I want to use another compressor? And if I need to compress musically the bass? Thanks

[@jimmysee1234]

Hi Mike. I often have tracks (think lead instruments) which have program throughout the length of the song. These tracks I mute and un-mute as needed. If I try to duck a rhythm instrument when a lead instrument comes in it doesn't work because the compressor is hearing the lead regardless if it is muted or not. I could go through and delete all the lead material where it's not being used but I would rather not. Any other way around this you can think of? Cheers

[@marshall8400]

Is it same procedure for fab filter pro c2?

[@nuvisionprinting]

Generally use it for a kick & bass in electronic music. But I do also sometimes sidecain leads and sometimes pads to the kick or bass just to make sure the kick knocks your head off lol

[@CreativeSauce]

Lol, that's the way!

[@nuvisionprinting]

Ehh I grew up listening to artists like Tymon, if you listen to industrial strength records you'll see what I mean by getting hit over the head with an anvil lol

[@marshall8400]

Can I sidechain my vocals to the Instrumental to cut through the mix more?

[@agentcalm]

Hi Mike. Thanks for sharing. I'm assuming that the comp plug in doesn't have an option on it you click on to turn side chain on and off. I've seen some YT vids on other plug ins and you have to manually enable the side chain feature.

[@angelogarcia1980]

Thank you Mike

[@solomonramsa]

Do you recomend put a compresor in a Overhead track to sidechain with the snare?

[@DJRNDmusic]

Can you please make a video how to use FabFilter Pro C2 sidechain in Cakewalk. Thank you

[@angusmcbean752]

thanks again my guy! i can't get it working with a bus though

[@juergen_b]

Hi Mike, greatly explained, thank you! How do I see that the plugin uses the sidechain input? Does Cakewalk allow to see how many inputs a plugin has and which sources are routed to them?

[@ahmedlotfy1514]

Good work

[@benbirdsinging3275]

But what if I want something the other way around. I mean; on the hit on my snare I want my guitar to sound louder. Is this possible? And how should this be done? Does anyone know this? Thanks in advance for the response!

[@varosolo78]

great video

[@wiseguerrero1955]

Okay but how do you sidecain certain parameters. For example: every time a kick drum hits, the gain of a low shelf goes down in eq.

[@MaestroJay]

I've been having a hellofa time riding the guitar-bus volume, trying to keep them loud without stomping on the vocals, this is the solution I think will solve that issue. I'm guessing I can even side-chain more than one source (using the plugin twice) e.g. turn down the guitars with the vocal input to one level, then back down the guitars when the lead solo hits to a different level using the plugin a second time.. I'm gonna try this right now. Such an eye-opening moment that will make my songs way better and easier to mix as well.. Thank you MIKE. \m/ >.< \m/

[@madzia7671]

Thank you 🙃

[@CreativeSauce]

My pleasure :)

[@michaelrobson1627]

thank you!!!!

[@markusbahr2288]

cool! thanks

[@CreativeSauce]

My pleasure

[@TheWalrus999]

Doesn't work for me: If I Send to the AUX track I get normal compression but as soon as I send to the compressor as Sidechain, I get nothing to the AUX track.

[@joseluis7309]

155/5000 Hi, apart from using it between kick and bass. I use it in a general bus where I control the whole band, to be controlled by the main voice of the song.

[@DMCPraiseSoundOficial]

REGARDS! very good tutorial I subscribe 🤩 I just need help, I don't speak English very well I hope to explain my question well, and there are no tutorials on KZbin in Spanish, how to use the sainchaind in cakewalk, with more instruments, for example; bass, kick drum, electric piano and voice, what I need is that the low frequencies of these four tracks do not mix, can you help me? please !!!! 🙏🙏 @Creative Sauce

[@chips7023]

thanks

[@US-vy8up]

thank uu

[@music_creator_capable]

Hello ^^

[@CreativeSauce]

Gday MC