
This is common in compressors designed for buss processing so that the kick drum can be diminished in the detector allowing for a more even compression action. Many compressors allow us to effect the sidechain signal with a built-in filter. Now, in a typical configuration, the input signal splits into the attenuation circuit and the sidechain. Another name for the detector circuit is the “sidechain” because it’s a chain of components that happens on the side of the primary signal chain.


The other is the detector circuit which is controlling the attenuator. One is the signal path itself - that is the signal from input to attenuation to output. In order to understand sidechaining, we need to understand the basic architecture of a compressor.Ī compressor has two circuits that work in conjunction. A common example would be the compressor on a bass reacting to the kick drum.

In short, sidechaining is when a signal processor is controlled by a signal that’s different than the one it’s effecting. And while it’s certainly not, it is a really cool concept that allows for some great stuff to occur. Based on internet goings-ons you’d think it was the ultimate solution to audio engineering.
