Sidechaining for dummies

   I feels as though I should really know how to do this by now and I really haven't attempted to sidechain yet because I'm quite confused on setting it up. What I "think" I understand is that I can use a compressor to control an effect like delay, and the compressor is controlled by say a vocal, so when the compressor is relieved from compressing the vocal it will open up the delay, so I can have a nice delay at the end of a verse for example instead of it just laid on thick through out. I have always done this with automation, but would like to expand my abilities and frankly just end the confusion whether or not this is something I'd use or not. Thanks for any help. 

BTW....I did a search for sidechain, sidechaining, and side chaining...........and nothing even close came up  I was going to google this, but would like to hear from people using Sonar specifically.



EDIT: I feel as though my main problem is the wiring of the whole thing. I use busses, but only to send multiple tracks to and really feel like I'm missing out on some creative ways to use Sonar.

To side chain you need a source track that outputs (or sends via a send) to the sidechain input of a compressor on a buss that has the effect you wish to control on. You then set up the compressor to duck the volume of the buss using the source track (known as the key).

In your vocal scenario..............

1. Vocal track outputs to master buss.
2. Set up a delay buss that outputs to master buss. Place the sidechainable (is that a word?) compressor on this buss, leave it off for now.
3. On the vocal track insert a send to the delay buss, set up delay level using the buss send to taste. Delay on buss should be at 100%. Turn on the sidechain compressor.
4. On the vocal track insert a send to the sidechain input of the compressor on the delay buss (it will show as an output in the drop down choices)
5. Start loop playback of vocal.
6. Adjust controls on sidechain compressor so that hard compression takes place when the vocal is present. This should duck the volume of the delay buss. You'll probably need to play around with the compressor controls a little to get the desired result but............

That's it.

You can also sidechain the Sonitus gate in"Duck" mode to achieve the same thing. Follow as above but substitute compresser with gate in duckmode.

HTH

LOL Bob........ I didn't go there. Explaining setting up a sidechain is easy compared to explaining how to search the forum.

If you got the free 30 day free pass to groove3's videos, there's one on compression that I watched last night. I'd read about sidechaining but hadn't heard it in action. In the compression video there is a very clear audio example of a drum beat modulating a bass note. Really neat the way the two sounds interact, you get an extra beat for free.

   Thanks guys, and especially Karl for the step by step, that about cleared up what I need to know. Sounds like sidechaining will really be something fun to experiment with. 
   Over the years I've always heard about the forum search being bad and I guess maybe I haven't searched enough, cause that was first for me.  LOL...Bob, I guess I'll let Google do Cakewalks searching from now on.
   I've been so busy lately, I get excited just to record or scratch some ideas down, let alone watch some videos. At least with the forum, I can ask something today in a matter of seconds and when I actually have time, come back to it and have atleast one good answer......Anyways, thanks again.

Don't worry "APC3",I also have not a clue[stupid text,now removed],as to actually setting it up,but will follow Karls explanation to the letter,when the "life givers" grant me some more energy[after I go grocery shopping,before 9pm tonight,when they shut.[unfortunately I chose "the wrong" lettuce!]   

I also have "tips and tricks" but must have missed that part,thanks for posting,and thanks to Karl for explaining.
Bob 
P.S. Quite an interesting bit of information too @ "backwoods" Thanks too.


Thread killing seems my strongest talent ATM.