Sidechain Calculator — Kick-Triggered Ducking Timing

Sidechain compression uses one signal (typically a kick drum) to trigger compression on another signal (typically a bass or pad). This creates the characteristic pumping effect heard in electronic dance music, where the bass ducks out of the way of each kick hit.

For a classic EDM pump: 1-5ms attack (very fast). For a subtle duck: 10-30ms. For a smooth, transparent feel: 5-15ms. The attack should be fast enough to duck the signal before the kick transient passes, but not so fast it causes clicking. This calculator expresses attack as a percentage of the duck cycle, so divide your target attack time by the cycle length — at 128 BPM (468.75ms quarter-note cycle) a 5ms attack is roughly 1% of the cycle.

The release should allow the signal to return to full volume before the next kick hit. At 128 BPM, one beat = 468.75ms. A release of about 235-350ms (roughly 50-75% of the beat) gives a classic pump. Shorter release creates more aggressive pumping, longer release creates a smoother curve.

Yes. Many producers use volume automation or dedicated sidechain shaper plugins (LFO Tool, VolumeShaper, Kickstart) for more precise control. These allow you to draw the exact ducking curve shape, which can sound cleaner than a compressor.