AR - Using Sidechain Compression

Grimetime · 2020-01-29T19:31:45.984Z

How do you do that? I’m familiar with the Elektron workflow, not so much with how to Plock the threshold of the compressor.

xidnpnlss · 2020-01-29T19:35:02.598Z

So the AR actually has an FX track for which you can plock the fx. So it should work that you can copy paste the kick track to the fx track and for every kick trig you can plock the threshold lower which creates the ducking you’re looking for. in theory it should work…

Side note: compressor talk is the only time spell checks “ducking” is actually correct.

re5et · 2020-01-29T19:36:10.182Z

2020 … people still buying gear without a google search and quick flick through the online manual … (joke)

xidnpnlss · 2020-01-29T19:36:30.881Z

No offense to OP but you’re not wrong

Grimetime · 2020-01-29T19:36:51.928Z

Yeah I have the manual printed out Jack, haven’t had time to read it yet. Have about 1 hour on the box. But I’m not really a manual guy, except for reference. I have strong ADD and work best by working with my hands in conjunction with the manual. If you cats are the type to read through a manual and retain everything, then congrats you got a gold star

The only thing I saw on this forum was using the LFO, not using the FX track to Plock the compressor.

xidnpnlss · 2020-01-29T19:42:46.182Z

Anyway. Lick it and see.

PeterHanes · 2020-01-29T19:43:50.444Z

Grimetime:

I’m not really a manual guy, except for reference. I have strong ADD and work best by working with my hands in conjunction with the manual. If you cats are the type to read through a manual and retain everything, then congrats

I sympathise, especially with detailed manuals like the Elektrons. One idea for checking references is to use the PDF file and search on the term you want.

Hope you get going with AR! Don’t hesitate to ask questions here.

Fin25 · 2020-01-29T19:45:59.600Z

PeterHanes:

Don’t hesitate to ask questions here.

Yeah, you won’t always get a wiseass but you will always get an answer.

finalform · 2020-01-29T19:46:35.864Z

The Elektron manual PDFs are well indexed and have hyperlinks so searching for compressor or looking it up in the index would get you the info you need. Page 77-78, “SEQ” parameter = sidechain EQ is probably what you’re looking for.

You can also manually lock the compressor threshold (and any other parameter per step) but SEQ might be easier.

Grimetime · 2020-01-29T19:51:31.265Z

But that compressor is a master compressor, not limited to the track you are dealing with, meaning it’s going to affect everything you have going on in the project.

stutech · 2020-01-29T20:10:26.536Z

yes, combined with microtiming and param slides this should perhaps be usable for just that

finalform · 2020-01-29T20:32:09.236Z

You want a compressor on an individual track, sidechained from a different source? Not sure any drum machine in 2020 is going to give you that.

As you have a MkII, you could solo the track in question, make the compressor do what you want, and sample it internally. Then play it as a loop or long sample.

Grimetime · 2020-01-29T20:45:26.664Z

Well on my TR8S I use to send the bass track to the out track and back through the EXT in and then setup the sidechain that way. That’s what I meant. I know know much about side chain. Not been at this elec music thing long. Just like the sound of it. Seems like it’s a lot of aggravation to get it to work with this box.

DanJamesAUS · 2020-01-29T20:50:53.423Z

I don’t think it is actually sidechain you use for the pumping effect it’s more of an eq filter,
I’ve seen other programs refer to this as sidechain thinking the same thing also.
but think it just listens to the whole mix so can cut out the kick or something so the compression doesn’t react to that frequency etc.

It is a type of sidechain because it listens to the mix.
You might be able to get it to duck if you set the frequency to the kick and tweak the threshold etc, but haven’t tried so not sure…

Grimetime · 2020-01-29T20:52:59.815Z

Yeah on the SP-16 it’s not really a sidechain, it’s ducking. It’s the only box I could really get this effect going. Doesn’t work for sh*t on the Digitakt either really as far as using the compressor to achieve what I’m looking for. I just like the effect is all, could care less about true eq side chain.

stutech · 2020-01-29T20:59:44.944Z

TR8S is among the very few drum machines that have an assignable side chain input. Current Akai MPCs and the force can also do this via the motherducker plugins.

The sidechain on the rytm’s compressor is not assignable, its just the same signal with additional EQing applied. Therefore, you cannot really do that same effect with the rytm aside from “faking it” via plocking.

Interestingly, for me personally the sidechain EQ is more desirable than using another sound source. Personal preferences and all that.

finalform · 2020-01-29T21:13:10.171Z

Yeah, was going to say, the 8S can trigger the sidechain off any of its instrument tracks without any cabling. That’s only on the master comp again though. The individual instrument fx compressor does not have sidechain.

P-locking the compressor values on the fx track might get you where you want to be, but it is more effort. And if it’s that hard ducking type of sidechain I guess you’ll need to record the bass drum separately from the individual out.

Tchu · 2020-01-30T02:46:07.247Z

Just use OB within a DAW and you will have all the flexibility you need to do a real Ducking SC.

PekeDorty · 2020-01-30T07:21:55.461Z

I don’t understand why this shouldn’t be possible. With the Digitakt for example we are ONE step away from real ducking, right? The only thing that makes it useless is that Elektron decided to make everything mono (WHY…?). What I am wondering: Doesn’t the AR have SC like the DT?

Grimetime · 2020-01-30T14:36:15.216Z

No you don’t get to select which channel. All or nothing it seems. You can mimick what I’m looking for with LFO > sample start or LFO > amp attack, but it’s LAME.

But I guess there’s going to be no change for this as I’m probably the only one complaining about it.

The trick on the FX track, with trigs and PLOCKS is useless as well. But thanks for the suggestions.