In this video tutorial, Dubspot course designer and Maschine specialist Matt Cellitti explores sidechain compression in Maschine 2.0, and offers some tips and tricks for mixing and getting the most out of the new audio engine.
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Maschine 2.0 has seen some significant upgrades to the audio engine and the way audio routing is handled in the software. These enhancements allow for the use of sidechaining within Maschine, so now producers are able to take advantage of the benefits that sidechain compression has to offer.
In electronic music production, sidechain compression is particularly helpful for controlling low frequency issues caused by competing kick drum and bass instruments fighting for the same space. This is a technique referred to as “ducking the bass” wherein the kick drum signal is sent to trigger a compressor on the bass, allowing the gain reduction on the bass to activate at the same time the kick hits. This way the bass essentially gets out of the way of the kick by attenuating only when the kick comes through. There is only so much low frequency information to go around and we don’t want these two ever important instruments piling up on each other.
The other main use for sidechain compression is to create a “pumping sound” by routing your four on the floor kick drum to a pad, cymbal, or noise burst. With this more exaggerated compression technique, the compressor forces a sound to rhythmically swell and pump to the beat, creating a pleasing effect that works well in dance music. We can easily change boring, sterile pads into more lively, moving soundscapes.
The redesigned Maschine compressor now has a sidechain input which you can route any sound to. Thanks to Maschine 2′s new visual plugin strip, you can actually see the gain reduction activating in the compressor, allowing you to visually monitor the effect. An added bonus allows you to use third party plugins that have a sidechain input too, so feel free to use your favorite compressors of different flavors! – Matt Cellitti
For more information on Maschine 2.0 and Maschine Studio features, check out our Q+A with Matt Cellitti. And stay tuned to our blog for more updates on the Dubspot Maschine program that will include Maschine 2.0!
Native Instruments’ Maschine redefines the intersection of hardware and software, performance and production. With Dubspot’s Maschine program for performers and producers, you will go from shaking hands with this cutting-edge music platform to making full tracks and performing your music live over the course of three levels. The future of performance and production is here, and there is no time for the future like today.
What’s Included:
- Maschine Level 1: Programming and Beat Making Basics
- Maschine Level 2: Sampling, Slicing and Composing
- Maschine Level 3: Advanced Production and Performance Techniques
More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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