Greetings FL Users
I’ve shared how to do a simple side chain on FL Studio with the Peak Controller. This is the variant of the side chain method, using a limiter.
A side chain effect, is an effect most commonly used in electro-house music and is becoming more popular in underground and mainstream club songs.
The effect is that waving in and out of volume. Giving it a notorious pumping effect, having the rise in between the beats of the music. It is effective for creating room and space in your mix, while also giving the track a sense of excitement.
Once again set up Your 4-on-the-Floor Kicks. And set up your Audio (Synth, Bass, Whatever you want to deliver the side-chain effect.
Again
- I route and label the Kick on Channel 1 – in the mixer and I route and label the Synthesizer in to Channel 2 – in the mixer
- Highlight/Select the Kick Channel,
- While It is Selected,
- Hover over the Synth fader, with the down arrow, Click ‘Sidechain To This Track’
- Select the compression function of the Limiter
- To Left of the side chain compressor, Set the input number 1 (This is the Channel 1 Kick)
- Set The Threshold Level, Below -30db or To Taste
- Set the Ratio to 3:1
- Set Attack to 2ms or To Taste
- Set Release to 200ms or To Taste
Notice how you can visually substantiate what is happening with the audio, now.
Your Synth/Audio should be pumping in and out with the kick now.
The Pros of Using the limiter is there is more control between dynamics of the pumping/side-chain effect. There is a smooth effect.
However, since it is controlled by the kick, volume control of the kick and other effects inserted in Channel 2 is effect by whatever effect you insert.
However this can be conveniently bypassed by duplicating the kick in another channel and using the first simply for the effect, while also muting the kick for the effect.
I hope you enjoyed this simple and quick alternative tutorial to side-chaining on FL Studio.
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Thank you.
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Reblogged this on I Write The Music.
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Hi, thanks for the tutorial. However, I thought there is a way of limiting the synth with the sound of the kick, but without hearing the kick in the routed channel. I don’t know now if it possible at all… 🙂
You can use automation clips and an LFO if you want to go that route. By right-clicking the fader and manipulating the LFO. But that is without a Limiter and Peak Controller. That is another way to do it if you don’t want to hear the kick. Hope that helps.
Thanks for your comment, the guide here has to be somewhat general, but it holds true for all genres. There is no recognised standard for processing metal, I imagine it is largely the same as described here but of course there will be those that do things slightly differently, there will be those who favour all analogue and paradoxically others who are just as respected who favour all digital, some who will use colourful EQs and compressors and others who insist on transparency. I’m afraid it is a case of trial and error as to what delivers the end result that most satisfies you.