The EQ section on this compressor allows you to control which frequencies get effected by the side-chain in a very simple way. Select the side-chain input on the left and shape the side-chain using the threshold, ratio, attack and release. Visually striking, and easy-to-use controls make this a very good plugin. The Ableton Live stock compressor is also a very intuitive compressor which is great for side-chaining. A downside for this plugin is that you don’t have a lot of control over the shape of the side-chain curve.

Furthermore, with the ‘distortion’ knob, this compressor gives you some great saturation options. Using the graph display you can get a very nice visual of how the compressor is working. In the top right corner you can select the side-chain input and then, using the regular compression controls, you can shape the side-chain to your liking. The Logic Pro X stock compressor is a standard but great tool for side-chaining. We’ve used quite a lot of them to either side-chain normally or to create wavy pumping effects. In this post Sample Tools by Cr2 have selected their 8 favourite side-chain plugins to give you an idea of what’s out there!Ĭheck out our most recent release ‘Future Wave’ to hear some of these plugins in action. So, which plugin is best for side-chaining?… The answer to that is simple: it completely depends on personal preference. However, despite the concept of side-chaining being very simple, applying the technique correctly and getting it just right can be challenging. Whether one uses it to make sure the kick punches through, or for more creative purposes, side-chaining is essential to make the mix sound right. There’s no going around it, in modern-day music side-chaining has become an unmissable mixing tool for any producer.

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