Side Chaining

[nomar69]

Cailyn

I would like to ask you how you utilize side chaining while using the compressor effect in live. I watched the Ableton movie, but would like to get your perspective as a guitar player.

Thanks

[Cailyn]

Sorry, can't help you with this one, I haven't had need to use side chaining with any of my recording projects.

[nomar69]

Thanks I'll go with the old trial and error.

[brandondrury]

What are you attempting to do? Sidechaining is a technique I often employ to compress the bass with the a feed from the kick. You can also trigger a de-esser with a sidechain. There are a handful of other tricks, but I very rarely use them.

Brandon

[nomar69]

I recorded a few acoustic guitar tracks I miked the acoustic and did a complete take of a song. I'm trying hard to really get a grasp of Compression and EQ effects to get a good mix on my tracks.

Thanks

[Cailyn]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you don't really need to use side-chaining to add some compression and EQ to your tracks. If you have one acoustic, put the compressor right in the track. If you have more than one acoustic on separate tracks, send the output to a return track (buss) and place the compressor there, unless you want each acoustic to sound different with different settings. Don't use a preset, just drag Compressor II to the track and make the adjustments there. As a rule, I EQ first so I don't add compression to frequencies I want to scoop out. Is this what you needed?

[nomar69]

Then I believe this is a time where I'm trying to out think myself thank you for clearing that up and now another question.

I have dragged and dropped the Clear Acoustic Guitar EQ effect on to a track. I am viewing the settings for the EQ in the view below my tracks(arrangement view). Inside the EQ box and left of the Freq, Gain, and Q adjustments there are some numbers from 1 to 8 with squares to the left of them. Are those preset EQ settings? Also what is the Q adjustment control?

Thanks

[Cailyn]

Originally Posted by nomar69

Inside the EQ box and left of the Freq, Gain, and Q adjustments there are some numbers from 1 to 8 with squares to the left of them. Are those preset EQ settings? Also what is the Q adjustment control?

There are up to 8 separate controls corresponding with the numbers you see on the EQ line. Generally, Live opens 1-4 with the preset and by clicking on the squares you can turn on 5-8 if you need them or turn off any that you don't need. The idea is to set the numbered circles at key frequencies that you want to boost or cut. The little boxes with the wishbones, the ovoid, and the right angle with control what type of EQ filtering occurs at each numbered point. The Q may be the most important control in your EQ, particularly for seeking out frequencies that you want to boost or cut.

Take any numbered point and click on the little ovoid filter, turn the Q up and then either pull the number up or down. The higher the Q, the narrower the frequency you are affecting.

You really should play with this and see how each feature affects the sound.

[brandondrury]

I recorded a few acoustic guitar tracks I miked the acoustic and did a complete take of a song. I'm trying hard to really get a grasp of Compression and EQ effects to get a good mix on my tracks.

Sidechaining is an advanced trick. I want emphasize the word "trick". It's definitely not required. I didn't get into until I had been recording for close to 6 years. So don't sweat it.

Brandon