What is Sidechain? A Beginner Tutorial in FL Studio
Sidechain is a neat trick in music production that makes your songs sound more exciting and clear. Think of it like having a conversation at a party: when one person talks, others quiet down so everyone can hear clearly. In music, sidechain does something similar. Let's break it down and learn how to do it in FL Studio!
Understanding Sidechain Compression
Imagine you have a big, bouncy ball (kick drum) and a soft pillow (bass). When you drop the ball on the pillow, the pillow squishes down and then slowly comes back up. In music, sidechain makes the bass (pillow) get quieter whenever the kick drum (ball) plays. This helps the kick drum be heard clearly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sidechaining in FL Studio
1. Open FL Studio and Load Your Sounds:
Start by opening FL Studio. Load a kick drum sound and a bass sound. These are like the ball and pillow in our story.
2. Put the Kick in a Mixer Channel:
- Click on the kick drum sound.
- In the mixer, choose an empty slot (let’s say Insert 1) and put the kick drum there. This is like assigning the ball to a specific spot.
3. Put the Bass in a Mixer Channel:
- Click on the bass sound.
- Choose another empty slot (let’s say Insert 2) and put the bass there. Now the pillow has its spot too.
4. Add a Compressor to the Bass Channel:
- Select the bass channel (Insert 2).
- In the effects section, add Fruity Limiter. This is like adding a squishing tool to the pillow.
5. Set Up the Sidechain:
- Go to the kick channel (Insert 1).
- Right-click the arrow at the bottom of the bass channel (Insert 2) and choose ‘Sidechain to this track’. Now, whenever the ball (kick drum) hits, it will tell the pillow (bass) to squish.
6. Adjust the Compressor:
- Go back to the bass channel (Insert 2) and open Fruity Limiter.
- Click on ‘Comp’ to switch to the compressor settings.
- Adjust the Threshold (how much squish), Ratio (how hard the squish), and Release (how quickly the pillow bounces back). Play around with these until the bass sound goes down when the kick drum hits.
7. Listen and Tweak:
- Play your song and listen. You should hear the bass get quieter every time the kick drum plays. If it’s too much or too little, adjust the settings until it sounds just right.
Easy Tips for Sidechaining
- Don’t Overdo It: A little sidechain can make your music sound great without being too obvious. Like adding just the right amount of salt to your food.
- Try Different Sounds: Besides the kick and bass, try sidechaining other sounds like pads or synths to see what cool effects you can create.
- Have Fun Experimenting: Music is all about creativity. Don’t be afraid to try new things and see what happens!
Conclusion
Sidechain is a cool way to make your music sound clearer and more dynamic. By following these easy steps in FL Studio, you can start using sidechain to make your tracks pop. Remember, just like learning a new game, it takes a bit of practice, but soon you’ll be a pro.