Applying advanced techniques

In this section, we will cover some more innovative ways of manipulating sounds in a mix. Although these are generally regarded as advanced techniques, this does not mean they are hard to understand or execute. Rather, it implies that you will find them useful only after you have mastered the basic techniques we covered in the previous section. Once you reach that point, the techniques we’re about to discuss are fairly easy to implement.

Let’s start with the most popular of all these advanced techniques.

Sidechain processing

Sidechain processing (or sidechaining) is a technique where the audio signal from one source is used to control the processing of another audio source. In other words, the sidechain signal is used to trigger an effect applied to a target audio signal.

Sidechaining can be used for an infinite number of purposes, ranging from the creative to the highly technical. Here are some possible scenarios where it can...