FL Studio Sidechain Secrets: Kick Drum to Synth Volume Control - The Efficient Route

Sidechain compression is a fundamental technique in modern music production, adding rhythmic pumping and dynamic interest to your tracks. In FL Studio, achieving this effect by routing a kick drum's signal to a synth's volume is a common practice. However, there are efficient and less efficient ways to accomplish this. This guide will walk you through the most streamlined method, ensuring a clean and impactful sidechain effect.

Understanding the Goal

Before diving in, let's clarify our objective. We want the kick drum to momentarily reduce the synth's volume each time it hits, creating that characteristic "ducking" sound. This is achieved by using the kick drum's signal as a sidechain input to a compressor placed on the synth channel.

Step-by-Step Guide: The Efficient Method

This method leverages FL Studio's internal routing capabilities for a direct and efficient sidechain.

1. Channel Rack Setup:

• Ensure your kick drum and synth are loaded in the Channel Rack. Let's assume the kick drum is on Channel 1 and the synth is on Channel 2.

2. Mixer Routing:

• Kick Drum: Send the kick drum to a dedicated mixer track. Select Channel 1 (kick drum) in the Channel Rack, and in the mixer, select an empty track (e.g., Track 1). Right-click the track selector and choose "Route selected channels to this track only". This ensures the kick drum's audio is only processed through this mixer track.
• Synth: Similarly, route the synth to its own mixer track (e.g., Track 2). Select Channel 2 (synth) in the Channel Rack and route it to a different mixer track (e.g., Track 2) using the same method.

3. Compressor on the Synth Track:

• On the synth's mixer track (Track 2), insert a compressor plugin. FL Studio's built-in "Fruity Limiter" works perfectly for this, but you can use any compressor you prefer. Place it in the first effect slot.

4. Sidechain Routing - The Key Step:

• This is where the magic happens. On the synth's mixer track (Track 2, where the compressor is), click the arrow at the bottom of the mixer track to access the send slots.
• Right-click the send slot you want to use (e.g., Send 1). Select "Sidechain to this track" -> "(Kick Drum Mixer Track Name)". If you routed the kick to Mixer Track 1, it will say "Sidechain to this track -> Track 1". This establishes the sidechain connection. FL Studio automatically handles the routing behind the scenes.

5. Compressor Settings:

• Now, configure the compressor on the synth track. This is where you sculpt the sidechain effect to your liking.
  • Ratio: Start with a ratio of 4:1 or higher. This determines the amount of gain reduction when the kick drum triggers the compressor.
  • Threshold: Lower the threshold until you hear the synth "ducking" noticeably with each kick drum hit. Adjust this to taste.
  • Attack: A short attack time (e.g., 1-10ms) will create a more immediate and aggressive pumping effect. A longer attack time (e.g., 20-50ms) will create a smoother, more subtle effect.
  • Release: The release time controls how quickly the synth's volume recovers after the kick drum stops. Experiment with different release times to find what sounds best with your track. A shorter release (e.g., 50-100ms) will create a tighter, more rhythmic pump. A longer release (e.g., 200-500ms or more) can create a smoother, more sustained ducking effect.
  • Sidechain Input: Within the compressor plugin, ensure the sidechain input is activated and set to the correct input. In Fruity Limiter, this is usually labeled as "Sidechain" or "External Input".

6. Fine-Tuning and Considerations:

• Kick Drum Volume: The volume of the kick drum on its own mixer track will influence the intensity of the sidechain effect. Adjust the kick drum's volume to control how much the synth ducks.
• Synth Volume: Similarly, the synth's volume will affect the overall balance. Adjust to taste.
• EQ: Consider using EQ on both the kick drum and the synth to carve out space in the frequency spectrum. This can help the sidechain effect sound cleaner and more defined.
• Experimentation: Don't be afraid to experiment with different compressor settings, kick drum samples, and synth sounds to find what works best for your track.

Why This Method is Efficient

• Direct Routing: FL Studio's sidechain routing feature provides a direct and efficient connection between the kick drum and the compressor, minimizing latency and CPU usage.
• Clear Signal Flow: This method ensures a clear and understandable signal flow, making it easier to troubleshoot and adjust the sidechain effect.
• Flexibility: While efficient, this method still provides plenty of flexibility to fine-tune the compressor settings and shape the sidechain effect to your liking.

Common Pitfalls and Solutions

• No Sidechain Effect: Double-check that the sidechain input is correctly activated in the compressor plugin and that the routing is properly set up.
• Overly Aggressive Pumping: Reduce the ratio or increase the threshold on the compressor.
• Unnatural Sounding Ducking: Adjust the attack and release times on the compressor. Experiment with different settings to find a more natural and musical sound.
• Muddy Sound: Use EQ to clean up the low frequencies in both the kick drum and the synth.

Alternative Methods (and Why They're Less Efficient)

While the method described above is generally the most efficient, here are a couple of alternative approaches and why they might be less desirable:

• Using Volume Automation: You could manually automate the synth's volume using the kick drum's pattern as a visual guide. This is incredibly time-consuming and lacks the dynamic responsiveness of a compressor.
• Using LFO Tools (e.g., LFO Tool, Shaperbox): While these tools offer powerful sidechaining capabilities, they can be overkill for a simple kick-to-synth sidechain. They also introduce additional plugin overhead.

Conclusion

Mastering sidechain compression is crucial for creating impactful and dynamic music. By following this efficient routing method in FL Studio, you can quickly and easily achieve a professional-sounding sidechain effect using a kick drum to control a synth's volume. Remember to experiment with different compressor settings and EQ techniques to fine-tune the effect and make it your own. Happy producing!