Things like using a sidechain compression tied to the lead vocal to bring the guitar volume down during phrases - yeah, I can see the advantage to it, but if I just automate volume a little bit I get the same sound (to my ears, anyway!)
Agree, I don't understand the difference but there must be, otherwise peeps wouldn't do it?
If somebody does answer this question,can you keep it simple,,,,,that old hippie's understand wot didn't know jack-s--- about computers before he joined this site a year ago!! ,,thank you ,ta
Side-chain compression basically lets you automate that volume automation. If you're doing really complex stuff, it saves a ton of time.
I actually DID run into issues with reaper a week or two back, but that was trying to edit video on a Win XP computer, so I can hardly blame Reaper.
The use this a lot in EDM, that is where I learned it from (No, I don't do EDM, but have learned a lot from that genre). Here is what I understand. Side chaining was/is commonly used by DJs on the radio. When the announcer would cut in, the music would get lower (compressed down), he would stop and the music would come back up.
I use side chaining for giving a bass a little more pulse by taking the bass and side chaining the bass drum, Bass drum kicks, bass goes down and then back up. Bass drum driving the pulse of the bass.
I use it with synths to let the cymbals work with higher ends, I don't use it a lot, but if you have something that just isn't groovin' side chaining can help. Pick a good source with some rhythm. It can also be away to push something down, say a lead guitar when the vocals kick in. Side chaining can be good when playing live.
That is about all I know about the topic.
Aha,,, I understand now, nicely explained David,,, EDM???
EDM,,was a question,,but now has been answered! thanks again
Right I think I might know the answer to this now?
Side chain comp is when you use it to (lower?) volume to accent a particular instrument/sound,,(as DM60 explained!).
parallel comp is when you leave the original signal there,but duplicate it & comp the the hell outa the duplicate & run alongside,,mixed to taste so you got original & compressed signal! (to help fatten/balance sound?)
OK so now we'll get the REAL explanations from peeps wot know betterer than wot I do!!
Ummmm....naive question of the day: is side-chain compression the same as parallel compression? I've wondered this before but didn't wanna start a thread just to ask that.