Spectral Compressor - Sidechain Everything (Patreon)

In this video, I talk about using the free and open-source Spectral Compressor plugin in Bitwig, especially for side chaining a bass with a combined drum loop.

Unlike traditional methods that need a separate kick track, this plugin allows precise audio ducking by analyzing the frequencies of the main drum loop, including the kick, snare, and hi-hats.

I show how using very fast attack and release times enables audio-rate compression, giving detailed control over how the bass reacts to every element of the drum loop. This approach not only cleans up low-end clashes but also helps manage higher-frequency overlaps between the bass and drum elements.

Apologized for the loud background music in the previous video and announced no music this time for clarity

Focus on a well-known, free, open-source spectral compressor plugin, previously covered in a 2023 video

Discussed common issues with drum and bass tracks where kick and sub bass share frequencies

Explained sidechaining the bass to the drum loop in Bitwig, including limitations with note sidechain when using audio loops

Demonstrated using audio sidechain in Bitwig to isolate and trigger sidechaining from the kick drum within a combined drum track

Analyzed the kick drum's transient and sub frequencies, explaining attack phase and pitch drop

Introduced the spectral compressor for more advanced sidechaining, allowing all drum elements (kick, snare, hi-hat) to affect the sidechain

Highlighted the spectral compressor’s unique capability of using zero millisecond attack and release times, making the compression extremely precise and audio-rate

Showed how to adjust ratio, global threshold, and release time for creative control, from subtle ducking to aggressive frequency removal

Advised experimenting with release time and threshold to tailor the ducking effect, especially for typical drum and bass kick lengths

Noted that spectral compressor allows frequency-specific sidechaining, useful for managing overlapping overtones and high frequencies in complex mixes

Download: https://bit.ly/3ZoelI8