Logic Pro Tutorial: Sidechain Compression Techniques

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Expert sound designer Evan Sutton aka Astrolith explains how compressors work and then demonstrates how to use sidechain compression in Logic Pro to mix sounds. Evan explains how to use basic sidechaining to quickly duck the levels of a bass part to give the kick drum room to cut through the mix. When mixing, it is crucial to make sure that there is room for all of the other sounds in the mix to achieve clarity and presence. With this technique, we can have sounds share a particular frequency range, while also creating some interesting rhythmic effects.
The second technique Evan explains how he uses Ultrabeat with the sequencer turned on to create a ghost sidechain source. In some cases, you may want to create a rhythmic ducking effect, even though there are no other instruments that can be used as a sidechain source. That’s where this trick comes in, and it’s simple to build into templates. Evan also takes us through some of Ultrabeat’s other unique features while demonstrating how to record automation that will control the transition between rhythmic ducking and no ducking to create a more dynamic, evolving sound.
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[@gjallahorngjallahorn4758]

So many years later and still one of the best mini tutorials on the web.

[@sartoriusrock]

Not only is this a good help for sidechaining, but this is probably the best explanation of a compressor I've ever heard. Thank you, kind sir.

[@businessservices2026]

This is probably the best description I’ve heard of a compressor in all my years of engineering! Simple and broken down very well.

[@ncromos]

Dude, u've made the simplest most entertaining explaining of audio stuff i've ever listened to. Not quite that often u catch urself laughing about compression. Welldone!

[@lukewakelin2991]

Out of all the music production tips ive seen on youtube, this is the most clearly explained

[@bezee]

I have been using compression for a while now.. Literally wish someone would have explained it like that to me in the beginning. Best explanation I have ever heard! Thanks

[@clippinbass]

This is "the best" tutorial I've found on side chain compression.

[@josephdi-lenardo6637]

that is the best way ive ever seen anyone explain compression how you was making the compressor talk made it very simple for me hahaha thank you !!

[@mark89v]

probably the best, easiest to understand explanation of how a compressor works., that i've come across on you tube. when it comes to tech, i always get lost in the jargon.

[@sentientfootwear]

Sold on Dubspot - one of the best Logic tutorials I've seen

[@dakyanddena]

That is the best description of the compressor ever. Great tutorial man! Cheers!

[@RicardoPintoMusic]

Conversation between engineer and compressor > Priceless! :D

[@WDPerryman]

Saviour! by far the best explanation of how a compressor works I've ever heard

[@Bro.tivate]

Best simple explanation of compression i've heard, props

[@JaserBlades]

out of every tutorial i saw this was the best one that actually taught me how to side chain. thank you! :)

[@TheLEASIDE]

A big thank you to Seth Mcfarlene for providing us with tips on side chaining.

[@PauloRocka]

That was the best rethoric on compression I've EVER heard. Really. Congrats and thanks.

[@longevityvst]

I completely agree the little conversation with the compressor while amusing is very powerfully info

[@LutariFan]

I clicked this to learn about side chaining. I noticed how well everything was explained, which I thought was weird since not many people are good at explaining. Then I saw that the uploader was DubSpot, and understood why ^^

[@deborahsaunders3127]

Great tutorial! I have had the toughest time learning sidechain compression. You have given me a better understanding. Thank you! :)

[@jello714]

a whole year in the school of audio engineering and not a single teacher could explain to me what a compressor was as good as you just did

[@jamescoats385]

Awesome breakdown of side chaining. Thank you for demystifying the secret to making it pump. There are some people that teach you shouldn't hear the compressor work which is I'm sure may be the case with certain types of music. The use of compressors as a creative tool adds a whole new world of possibilities.

[@davonata]

finally i hear someone that can truly explain.........well done!!

[@killabeatz3]

One of the best explanations of a compressoer!!!

[@TheFutureLooksGrimm]

I agree, I've never heard it explained better & in an easy to understand way

[@RMT197]

FINALLY a tutorial that made me understand side chaining!

[@almarkthaolen9352]

I really like how you explained even the general use of compression, all these years I didn't think about it that way, having the db set to such db says "turn down here ok?" laughs

[@RISE-327]

BEST ever explanation ive ever heard,thankyou very much Evan.

[@leechabowski3483]

This was super-helpful. Thanks for an easy-to-understand presentation.

[@coreyevolution]

bro you make it look so easy ay ,and very very simple to work out how the compressor works thank you so much ,your such a life saver:)

[@Hewillbless]

Very crisp visuals for well gathered material. :)

[@HLikkwidd]

When a beat bangs through laptop speakers it is hot....This beat is hot..great vid!

[@jaimiacres8274]

So much help! Thank you!! And everything was described in such an easy way to follow. Thank you, thank you!

[@joshymole]

Love your analogies, makes understanding soo much easier

[@EpicFork]

DUDE, YOU EXPLAIN THINGS SO WELL THANK YOU FOR HOW YOU TEACH!!!

[@Dubstacular]

This is a very useful video for me since i am always looking to learn new skills with Logic Pro. Using a bus is new for me. Thanks for the tips. I've already used this technique in my tracks.

[@rid1nlow]

BEST COMPRESSOR TUTORIAL EVER!

[@TomStrahle]

Great job man, applying it now, thanks!

[@JunioriDjazz]

Helpfully .. best tutorial talking about the logic compressor, i was have an problem with clip on the bass line and kick .. then no more

[@116flore]

I love how you personified the compressor. lol Great Tutorial!!!

[@jellybean454]

Fantastic tutorial. Keep these up, really helped clarify effective side chain compression.

[@ScottEvans000]

great video, i could not open up the stereo button until i read ashwins comment about holding command, maybe its because im on logic 8, not sure but great effect, keep um coming.

[@MarshallCoats]

Your a great teacher, very easy to understand! Thanks for this tutorial!!

[@elianaburgos1303]

Best explanation iv'e heard

[@hirstyrox]

EXTREMELY GOOD WAY TO DESCRIBE COMPRESSION!

[@marinaserra9508]

best explanation of compression. awesome whackamole analogy ahhaha

[@reaver2033]

lol that was the best explanation of what a compressor does i`ve found yet, thanks :)

[@TheSpotniq]

Wow this was an awesome tutorial man! Your explanations are a lot more clear! thanx for the upload!

[@max.heegard]

So your telling me compressors can talk? "how bout 70ms? You got it dude" Great tutorial man!

[@rayshontv7451]

wow. compressors brought everything to life.

[@Drkingwestcoastbeats]

This info is worth more than gold, thanks for sharing

[@dubspot]

Glad we could help :)

[@paulscrevane]

best explanation of compression, the whole whack-a-mole analogy

[@nathandarby6272]

Such an awesome tutorial!! You explain so thoroughly, this really helped :)

[@beccata1]

thank you!! i've always wondered about a simple way of doing this!!

[@dubspot]

Glad we could help. Thanks for tuning in!

[@pilsburyuk3379]

Love the tutorial, really easy to understand and great advice Evan!

[@Finalkiwi1]

Thank You So much! You explained it perfectly!

[@dubspot]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@jamesgofton]

Really helpful and helped me understand compressors, thank you

[@Fnelrbnef]

Ok. I love you and your video. I'm subscribing right away because you explain stuff so well at such a comfortable phase. I'm in need of tea-spooning, and that's what I got here. Nice^^

[@UglyBunnyJase]

Subscribed! Dude; you have a way with words! I love how you anthropomorphized the compressor lol "You want me to compress that? Alright, dude, just give me 43 milliseconds..."

[@AndrewOliverTV]

Perfectly Explained! Simple Terms and good analogies. Love it! WACKA MOLE!

[@fparry37]

awesome tutorial - i now actually understand compression

[@TheAlphadub]

awesome tutor! your words are logical. DuBSpot please keep the Logic tutorials coming, I see lots of ableton live :(

[@BecomingThePath]

You are a wizard at teaching this stuff! Thank you :)

[@TheMarriko]

Thanks Man!! u dont know how much help me this video! keep doing tutorials of anything of logic u are good on this! (Y)

[@RussFaraci]

Just found DubSpot....My new fav channel!

[@rustofat3000]

Thanks, well done! Very clear and easy to understand.

[@AmalAntony]

Love this video.. It helped me a lot to create compression in my tracks..

[@felixdadeathcat]

Yeah seriously good interpretation of what a compressor does and can do.

[@RVMendoza]

Very well explained

[@andylenart4754]

Lol love the description of the compressor hahaha

[@kareydavis]

Good info. Best explanation of sidchaining

[@totigerus]

Wow. I never knew that Marquee tool trick! Sweet!!!

[@mrevansutton]

@rid1nlow thank you! i'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@mrevansutton]

@bigbagron thanks a lot...a lot of these sounds were made using NI's komplete 7, the course at dubspot for which I co-designed.

[@notgalen]

@rawstarmusic Hi, in Logic, you can use the same kick bus as the side-chain input for a noise gate on another channel (eg a synth line). If you set the reduction to -100 & tweak the threshold (around -10db), the sound running through it will only appear when the kick hits. Play around with the attack, hold, release & reduction to get a nice rhythmic effect. Set the reduction to a + figure & it'll only play when the bus isn't outputting. Hope this helps.

[@jpkeen642]

Thank you sir, awesome awesome tips!

[@rivaltag]

Great tutorial, this finally makes sense to me! Thanks!

[@dubspot]

Awesome! Glad this helped :)

[@Projectmusick]

What you want to do is get the get the volume meter pumping through a bus or aux channel (same difference) and then open your plug-in, then side chain to that bus #

[@crazydrummerpat]

lmao, "Think of it like Whack-A-Mole". Never woulda dreamed of that comparison to explain a compressor :D

[@misti4k0]

this was rly the most good compressor expaining ever xD

[@Zalento]

I appreciate this post . big time, Thanks!! A talking compressor, I love it! I always wanted a compressor that could talk back to me, and ask me the most pertaining Q, this is the closest thing, LOL... This helps a lot Thank you

[@I3rooksyMusic]

I bought Logic Pro about 5 months ago and have been playing around with it ever since. Due largely to your tutorials I have managed to understand it enough to produce my first track! So. In short. You Produced this track! /watch?v=YYZG76PXk30 I hope you are happy with how you did.

[@mrevansutton]

@Capeau nice contribution!

[@meonedgeUTUBE]

thx a nice enlightenment, great use of tangible items for easy way to make things understood... could you give a detailed explanation of how/to use SENDS, AUX, BUSES AND RETURNS AND GROUPING ? plz

[@mikufujiwara4961]

Thank you so much for this awesome tipps, really helpful :)

[@rough_operations]

you are logic prodigy my friend. thanks!

[@mxskmg4]

U DA MAN... I always forget to turn caps off from logic

[@asteph2515]

What is the different between using peak and RMS compression? Btw this tutorial is really clear, best i've ever seen, thanks a lot.

[@leelindesanders624]

RMS: (in I-kinda-sorta-know-what-I'm-talking-about-but-don't-quote-me terms) Is kind of like your average signal level as opposed to your peak signal level... I think... www.gearslutz.com/board/mastering-beginners/173236-what-difference-between-rms-peak.html

[@royalrocker311]

Wonderful help. You're the best!

[@josephmarshall1405]

My favourite teacher!

[@djsabatine5358]

Awesome tutorials dude thank u for posting this!!!

[@4evrDrum]

I want to be in a class taught by this man. @Dubspot i love you.

[@Legaceybeats]

very odd and fun sounding track. nice job

[@goodaswood]

Thank you, great tutorial.

[@CanvasMC]

great video, helpful. thanks from Sydney.

[@Sicksneezy]

amazing tutorial , Thank you !

[@dubspot]

glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in!

[@Michalek15171]

I just had the entire digital music industry explained to me. It's all about how loud you can compress a track to be.

[@RandalMusic]

There we go... bam bam badambambam Great tutorial many thanks !!

[@scnupe7]

Excellent tutorial!!!

[@itseskay]

Perfect tutorial, thanks

[@punknart1890]

It is much easier, to create a midi region for Ultrabeat with midi info in each beat. So you just paste the region where you want the sidechain activated..