How to Sidechain in FL Studio

If you are a music producer or audio engineer looking for an efficient way to mix and master your tracks, sidechain is the perfect tool for you.

Sidechain is the process of using a control signal, usually a low frequency oscillator (LFO), to control the amplitude of a sound source, allowing you to create unique dynamic effects that are both pleasing and effective.

The ability to easily sidechain in FL Studio is one of the many advantages of using this versatile digital audio workstation.

In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of sidechaining in FL Studio and explain how to get the most out of this powerful feature.

We’ll look at different types of sidechaining, explore the different settings available, and touch on the best practices for creating your own unique sounds.

So, if you’re looking for tips and tricks on how to sidechain in FL Studio, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Creating a sidechain track

Sidechaining is a great way to add dynamic movement to your tracks.

It’s a popular technique in various genres of music, from EDM to hip-hop.

Fortunately, it’s easy to learn how to sidechain in FL Studio.

The first step is to create a sidechain track.

To do this, open up the Step Sequencer and add a new track.

Set the track type to “Sidechain” and then drag and drop the sound you’d like to use as your sidechain input.

Make sure to adjust the parameters such as attack and release as needed, then you’re ready to sidechain!

2. Setting up the compressor

One of the most important steps in side-chaining in FL Studio is setting up the compressor.

To do this, you’ll need to add an instance of the Fruity Compressor plugin to the track you want to side-chain.

Then, adjust the settings to your desired levels.

The Attack and Release knobs control how quickly the compressor kicks in and how long it takes to release the effect, while the Threshold knob determines the volume level at which it activates.

Set the Ratio control to a suitable level and then adjust the Make-Up Gain to compensate for any volume loss.

Now you’re ready to side-chain!

3. Connecting the compressor to the channel

Next, we’ll need to connect the compressor to the channel.

To do this, click and drag the compressor from the step sequencer onto the channel you want to sidechain.

This will open up the compressor’s settings.

Now, go to the “Audio From” tab, and select the sound you want to use for sidechaining.

Finally, set the compressor’s threshold and ratio according to your desired sound.

Once you’ve done this, you should be ready to sidechain!

4. Setting the Threshold

The fourth step in side-chaining in FL Studio is setting the threshold.

This is the point at which the side-chain will begin to take effect.

To do this, move the Threshold slider to the appropriate level for the desired amount of compression.

The amount of compression you want will depend on the genre of music you’re working with and the desired sound.

A high threshold will result in very little compression, and vice versa.

Experiment with the threshold to get the exact sound you’re looking for.

5. Adjusting the release

After you’ve set up your sidechain, you’ll need to adjust the release of the sidechain.

This is important because if the release is too fast, it will sound unnatural and the sound will be distorted.

If the release is too slow, the sound will be weaker and won’t have the desired effect.

To adjust the release, open the Fruity Compressor plugin and find the release section.

The release can be adjusted by changing the time in milliseconds.

Experiment with different settings until you find the one that works best for your track.

6. Setting the Ratio

Once you’ve set up the sidechain in FL Studio, the next step is to set the ratio.

This determines how much of the signal is sent to the sidechain and how much is sent to the output.

To set the ratio, simply adjust the volume of the sidechain track in relation to the output track.

Make sure the sidechain track is lower than the output track, or else the sidechain will be overdriven.

When setting the ratio, it’s best to experiment with different levels to see what works best for your particular track.

Keep in mind that the mix should be balanced and that the sidechain should be heard but not overpowering.

7. Setting the attack

After inserting the compressor, it’s time to set the attack.

This sets the amount of time it takes for the compressor to kick in and start compressing the signal.

Generally, the attack should be set to 0.3ms or lower to ensure the compressor starts compressing the signal as soon as possible.

If the attack is set too high, the compressor may not compress any of the signal, resulting in an ineffective sidechain.

Additionally, make sure the ratio and threshold are set properly.

The ratio should be set to 4:1 or higher, and the threshold should be set to -20dB or lower.

8. Understanding the dry/wet mix

To understand the dry/wet mix, you need to think about it in terms of the volume of each signal.

The dry signal is the original, unprocessed signal, while the wet signal is the signal that has been processed.

The dry/wet mix allows you to adjust the ratio of processed to unprocessed signal in the mix.

This is important because it allows you to control the amount of sidechaining that is being applied and also to adjust the overall tone of the mix.

Setting the mix to 100% wet will result in a more intense sidechaining effect, while setting the mix to 100% dry will result in a more subtle sidechaining effect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sidechaining in FL Studio is a powerful tool that can help you create dynamic and expressive music.

It can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from gentle and subtle to huge and powerful.

With a few simple steps, you can quickly get started sidechaining in FL Studio and begin to explore the many sonic possibilities it offers.