Spectral Compressor - Sidechain Everything

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