Sidechain Compression: Add Natural Groove to Bass and Kick

Use Sidechaining as a Subtle Ingredient in Your Groove

Sidechaining is a technique that follows the kick
to create a rhythmic swell in the volume of tracks such as bass and pads.

Setting a compressor to sidechain mode can produce a sound like this:

• A typical sidechain sound

You may have heard a sound like this before.
It is particularly common in EDM.

The following articles explain how to set it up in different DAWs.

Sidechain Setup by DAW

Now let’s move on to the main topic.

This sidechain sound has a strong character and produces a distinctive effect.
By using that character subtly, you can easily create a natural groove.

Tutorial Video

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Video Highlights

Send the kick to the bass track’s sidechain input and apply compression.
The key is to keep the effect natural.

Set gain reduction to around 2–3 dB and use a relatively fast release.
When the kick hits, the bass briefly drops in volume and quickly returns.

This adds a distinctive, live-performance-like pulse to the bass.
It can also help the kick remain clearly audible rather than getting buried.

The amount of movement is directly related to the threshold setting,
so adjust it to suit your song.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which music genres suit sidechaining?

It is especially common in EDM, but the subtle technique described here can add a natural groove to pop, house, R&B and many other genres.

Q2. What happens if gain reduction is too great?

The effect can become too strong and sound artificial, taking away the song’s natural groove. A modest setting around 2–3 dB can help create a natural pulse.

Q3. Why does the release time matter?

A relatively fast release lets the bass briefly drop when the kick hits and quickly return to its original level. This quick recovery creates a natural, live-performance-like pulse.