What is sidechain compression in music production?

Sidechain compression uses a trigger signal (typically a kick drum) to control a compressor on another track (typically bass, pads or a mix bus). When the kick hits, the compressor ducks the volume of the target track, creating space for the kick and producing the characteristic pumping effect heard in electronic dance music.

How do I choose the right ducking style?

Classic pump works for most EDM, house and pop production. Aggressive ducking suits heavy dubstep or complextro. Subtle ducking is ideal for acoustic or vocal mixes where you want the bass to duck without an obvious effect. Breathing works well for ambient and progressive house. Listen and adjust to taste.

Should I use a compressor or a volume shaper for sidechain?

Volume shapers (LFO Tool, VolumeShaper, Kickstart) give more precise control over the ducking curve shape and are easier to sync to tempo. Compressors react dynamically to the actual trigger signal, which can feel more natural but is harder to fine-tune. Many producers use volume shapers for predictable pumping and compressors for subtle, reactive ducking.

What ratio and threshold should I use for sidechain compression?

For obvious pumping: ratio 4:1 to 8:1 with threshold around -25dB. For aggressive ducking: ratio 10:1 or higher with threshold around -20dB. For subtle ducking: ratio 2:1 to 3:1 with threshold around -30dB. The exact values depend on your source material levels.

AudioCalcs

Sidechain Calculator — Attack & Release for BPM

Calculate attack and release times for sidechain compression based on BPM and ducking style.

BPM

Tempo of your track in beats per minute

Ducking Style

Preset ducking curve — affects attack and release balance

Beat Division

1 = quarter note, 0.5 = eighth, 2 = half note

Ducking Depth

How much the signal ducks in decibels

How We Calculate This

Timing Calculation

Cycle time (ms) = (60,000 / BPM) x beat division

Attack (ms) = Cycle x attack percentage

Release (ms) = Cycle x release percentage

Ducking Styles

Each ducking style adjusts the attack and release percentages of the cycle. Classic pump uses a fast 3% attack and 70% release. Aggressive uses 1% attack and 85% release for deeper, longer ducking. The attack, hold and release should sum to one complete cycle so the signal returns before the next trigger.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard formulas. Always verify results for critical applications.