stac
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Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
In my other DAWs I'm used to being able to do the following:
- create an AUX bus
- insert a couple of effect plugins on the bus
- insert a compressor at the end of the chain (or somewhere in between, depending on the intended goal)
- send from another track (e.g. vocal) to the sidechain input of the compressor
In Sonar I cannot find a way to do that. It seems that Sonar lacks native VST3 sidechaining support?! Is that true? Do I have to set up a complex routing scenario with multiple busses to simulate the intended behavior, or is there a simpler way that I don't see?
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 5:48 AM
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Sonar does sidechain support with any VST3s that support it and with its own (DXi) Sonitus compressor/gate. Once you've inserted a compatible plug, it should show up in the list of available sends.
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stac
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 5:58 AM
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Strange, I do not see anything in the sends list that looks like a sidechain input. Of course, sidechaining is enabled on the plugin in question ...
I'll investigate some more ...
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 6:12 AM
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Which compressor are you trying to use?
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Anderton
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 6:17 AM
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You don't need to enable sidechaining on the plug-ins with SONAR, either they have it or not. If they do, then the sidechain input should show up as another track's available send.
I'd suggest starting with the Sonitus Gate or Compressor to get a feel for how the process works in SONAR.
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stac
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 6:18 AM
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Sanderxpander
Which compressor are you trying to use?
FabFilter Pro-C in this case.
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stac
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 6:19 AM
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Anderton
You don't need to enable sidechaining on the plug-ins with SONAR, either they have it or not. If they do, then the sidechain input should show up as another track's available send.
I'd suggest starting with the Sonitus Gate or Compressor to get a feel for how the process works in SONAR.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have lunch now, and then I'll check if I overlooked something.
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 6:35 AM
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Pro-C working fine here. Do you have the latest version? Actually I think it hasn't been updated in ages but it seems worth checking.
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Boydie
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 6:42 AM
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I am not sure how it works in your other DAWs but make sure you set up the compressor on the track you want "ducked" (or whatever you are doing) and then the send will show up in the send list of the track (eg kick drum) of the track you want to send to the input of the compressor (which sounds like exactly what you are doing)
I haven't tried sending a TRACK send to a BUS Sidechain compressor - i guess it would work the same but could this be where things are going a bit different as you mentioned an aux bus?
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stac
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 7:08 AM
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Everything is fine, thanks, guys - I simply did not find the send because Sonar does not mark it as a sidechain input. That's different in other DAWs, and I did not realize that.
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 7:19 AM
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I think it depends on what the plugin reports. Most have "SC" added to the name or something.
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ShellstaX
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 9:40 AM
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I had a quick look and it looks like SideChain (for Cakewalk Compressors/Gates) is present on: Direct X: Sonitus:fx Compressor Sonitus:fx Gate ProChannel: PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor * (default on Bus) PC4K S-Type Channel Compressor PC4K Expander / Gate ProChannel and VST3: CA2A T-Type Levelling Amplifier * Note: the PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor appears to be one OR the other with PC76 U-Type Compressor (No Sidechain - default on Track)). You must remove or replace for the other to be 'choosable'. Perhaps someone can confirm/explain? (I'm assuming due to no 'need' to compress multiple times (?)). (I'm still using X3, own Platinum yet to install)
post edited by ShellstaX - May 23, 15 10:10 AM
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scook
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 10:49 AM
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☄ Helpfulby ShellstaX May 23, 15 11:09 AM
ShellstaX
* Note: the PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor appears to be one OR the other with PC76 U-Type Compressor (No Sidechain - default on Track)). You must remove or replace for the other to be 'choosable'.
Perhaps someone can confirm/explain? (I'm assuming due to no 'need' to compress multiple times (?)).
(I'm still using X3, own Platinum yet to install)
These two compressors were part of the original ProChannel which only allowed one instance of each type of processor. This was changed with X1 Producer Expanded. Unfortunately, these plug-ins are still stuck with their old design.
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scook
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 10:51 AM
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ShellstaX
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Re: Ducking via SideChain to a plugin on an FX chain?
May 23, 15 11:06 AM
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Thanks for the explanation scook - makes sense.
Something from another post of mine ...
This is the best SideChaining video I've seen.
It's aimed at Prochannel - but things should be transposable to Sonitus Compressor / Gate. (I've pumped the mix through Sonitus)
It shows 4 techniques:
0:04 - Rhythmic Gating
2:14 - Vocal Ducking
3:28 - Kick to Bass
4:31 - Pumping the Mix
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