You use sidechain compression to enhance mix clarity and balance by dynamically controlling audio levels in response to a trigger source. This technique involves setting attack, release, threshold, and ratio parameters to fine-tune how the compressor reacts to the sidechain signal. Common applications include enhancing vocal prominence in dense mixes or balancing kick and bass for punch and clarity. By adjusting these settings, you’ll avoid frequency clashes and create a polished, cohesive sound. To explore more sophisticated methods and plugin recommendations, deepen your understanding of this powerful mixing tool.
Key Takeaways
- Sidechain compression enhances mix clarity by reducing conflicting frequencies between tracks, such as kick drum and bass.
- Fine-tuning attack and release times ensures natural dynamics and prevents unnatural pumping effects.
- Adjusting the threshold allows precise control over when the compression affects the sidechain signal.
- Sidechain compression is essential for maintaining vocal prominence in dense or complex mixes.
- Experimenting with different ratio settings can achieve the desired balance and punch in the mix.
What Is Sidechain Compression
Sidechain compression is a dynamic mixing technique where the volume of one audio track is modulated by the signal from another, allowing for greater control over the mix’s clarity and balance. By adjusting parameters like attack, release, threshold, and ratio, you can fine-tune how the compressor reacts to the incoming sidechain signal, optimizing the mix’s overall texture.
When it comes to sidechain compression techniques for vocals, this approach is vital for guaranteeing that vocals remain prominent in a dense mix. By sidechaining the vocal track to an instrumental bus, you can duck the instrument levels whenever the vocals are active, thereby maintaining vocal clarity without compromising the richness of the instrumental background. Adjusting the attack and release times can help you achieve a smooth, natural-sounding dynamic response.
In film scoring, sidechain compression is indispensable for balancing dialogue with music and sound effects. By sidechaining the music to the dialogue track, you can ensure that speech remains intelligible, even during intense musical passages. This technique not only enhances the viewer’s experience but also maintains the emotional impact of the score. Properly configuring the threshold and ratio ensures that the compression is transparent and effective, seamlessly blending all elements.
History of Sidechain Compression
You should understand that sidechain compression‘s origins trace back to early studio techniques aimed at mitigating sibilance in cinema audio, pioneered by Douglas Shearer.
Over decades, its application has evolved, becoming integral to modern music production for tasks ranging from dynamic range control to creative effects.
Today, sidechain compression remains a versatile tool, with both internal and external sidechain capabilities offering nuanced control over audio dynamics.
Early Studio Techniques
In the early days of studio recording, engineers like Douglas Shearer revolutionized audio processing by employing sidechain compression to mitigate unwanted sibilant sounds in cinema dialogue. This technique involved using vintage equipment and techniques, including analog processing, which offered several benefits. Shearer’s approach combined an equalizer and compressor, creating a primitive form of de-essing. By isolating and reducing harsh sibilant frequencies, the dialogue became clearer and more intelligible.
Shearer’s innovation laid the groundwork for modern sidechain compression. Internal sidechain filters allow compressors to ignore specific frequencies, offering precise control over the audio signal. This meant that only the problematic sibilant sounds were targeted, leaving the rest of the dialogue unaffected. The analog processing provided a warm and natural sound that digital systems aim to replicate today.
Here’s a simplified breakdown to visualize the process:
Component | Function |
---|---|
Equalizer | Isolates sibilant frequencies |
Compressor | Reduces volume of isolated frequencies |
Analog Benefits | Warm, natural sound |
External sidechain inputs further expanded the utility of sidechain compression. Using any audio signal to trigger the compressor offered unprecedented flexibility, enabling dynamic and creative mixing techniques. This early innovation set the stage for the sophisticated audio processing tools we use today.
Evolution in Music Production
Building on the foundational techniques used by early studio engineers, modern music production has embraced sidechain compression as a pivotal tool for crafting dynamic and engaging mixes. Initially, sidechain compression emerged from the necessity to mitigate sibilant sounds in cinema dialogue. Douglas Shearer, a pioneer in this area, ingeniously employed an equalizer and compressor to achieve this goal.
De-essing, one of the earliest applications of sidechain compression, set the stage for its broader adoption in audio engineering.
Technological advancements have greatly expanded the utility of sidechain compression. Internal sidechain filters, for example, allow compressors to bypass specific frequencies, providing more precise control over the audio signal. External sidechain inputs further revolutionized the field by enabling any audio signal to manipulate the compressor’s behavior, leading to novel mixing techniques and creative sound design.
These evolutionary trends in sidechain compression have had a profound industry impact. As technology continues to evolve, future applications promise even more innovative uses.
From electronic dance music to film scoring, sidechain compression remains integral to modern production, continually reshaping how audio professionals approach dynamic mixing. Understanding its historical context enriches its current and future applications, illustrating its indispensable role in the evolving landscape of music production.
Modern Applications Today
Modern applications of sidechain compression have transcended their historical origins, incorporating advanced techniques to enhance clarity, depth, and dynamism in contemporary music production. Leveraging both internal and external sidechain inputs, modern compressors offer unprecedented control over frequency-specific processing, enabling precision in sound design and live performance settings.
In live performance, sidechain compression is invaluable for maintaining vocal intelligibility against a backdrop of complex instrumentation. By strategically ducking competing frequencies, you guarantee the lead vocals remain prominent without overwhelming the mix. Sound design benefits from sidechain techniques by allowing intricate layering of elements, creating evolving textures and rhythmic interplay that captivate listeners.
Application | Technique | Benefit |
---|---|---|
Live Performance | Vocal ducking | Enhanced vocal clarity |
Sound Design | Rhythmic pumping | Dynamic textural interplay |
Music Production | Bass and kick drum separation | Clearer low-end frequency range |
Film Audio | De-essing dialogue | Reduced sibilance |
Modern compressors with internal sidechain filters enable selective frequency manipulation, allowing you to target specific elements within a mix. This precision facilitates the creation of cleaner, more polished productions. External sidechain inputs offer versatility by enabling any audio signal to trigger compression, thereby expanding creative possibilities.
Key Components of Sidechain Compression
Understanding the key components of sidechain compression, like the threshold, ratio, attack, and release times, is essential for achieving precise dynamic control in your mix. By mastering these parameters, you can leverage sidechain compression benefits to create space and balance between competing frequencies and elements in your tracks.
For instance, setting a lower threshold will make the compressor react more frequently, whereas a higher threshold will trigger compression less often, allowing for nuanced control.
The ratio determines the degree of compression applied once the signal surpasses the threshold. Common sidechain compression techniques involve using a higher ratio to achieve a more pronounced ducking effect, which is particularly useful in genres like EDM for attaining that signature pumping sound.
Attack time controls how quickly the compressor responds after the input signal crosses the threshold. A fast attack clamps down immediately, ideal for taming transient peaks, while a slower attack allows the initial transient through before compressing, preserving the punch of percussive elements.
Release time dictates how long the compressor takes to return to its initial state after compression. Optimal release settings ensure smooth adjustments without noticeable pumping or breathing artifacts.
Understanding these key components allows you to fine-tune your sidechain compression for a cohesive and dynamically balanced mix.
Setting Up Your Compressor
To set up your compressor for sidechain compression, start by choosing a compressor that supports external sidechain inputs to facilitate dynamic control between your tracks. Begin by assigning your kick drum track as the external sidechain source. This will trigger the compressor when the kick hits, letting you craft that signature pumping effect.
Adjust the attack and release times to fine-tune how quickly the compressor responds and recovers; shorter times yield a more aggressive sound, while longer times create a smoother effect.
For more advanced routing, consider creating a custom sidechain track. This gives you flexibility in processing and allows for more intricate signal manipulation. Utilize a bus as your sidechain source to blend multiple signals or even automate the sidechain effect for dynamic mixing.
Be mindful of sidechain latency, which can cause timing issues in your mix. Always check and compensate for latency to maintain tight, rhythmic coherence. If you encounter any issues, consult troubleshooting tips specific to your DAW and plugins.
For sidechain alternatives, explore parallel compression. This technique allows you to blend the compressed and uncompressed signals, maintaining natural dynamics while adding punch.
Understanding Threshold Settings
To effectively manage sidechain compression, you must set the threshold to appropriate levels, ensuring only the intended signals trigger compression. This adjustment is critical for balancing dynamics properly, as it influences the compressor’s responsiveness and impacts the overall mix.
Setting Appropriate Levels
Setting the threshold in sidechain compression is crucial because it dictates when the compressor engages, ensuring precise control over which signals trigger the compression. Threshold optimization is essential for achieving dynamic mix control, effectively managing how different elements interact within your mix. By carefully setting the threshold, you guarantee that only the intended sidechain signal influences the compressed track, allowing for precise compression precision.
When setting the threshold, start by identifying the level of the signal that you want to trigger the compression. You should set the threshold just below this level to make sure the compressor activates at the appropriate moment. This adjustment ensures that only the desired signal interaction occurs, avoiding unnecessary compression of non-target signals.
Proper threshold settings are crucial for maintaining the dynamics of your track. If the threshold is set too low, you might end up with excessive compression, squashing the natural dynamics and resulting in an overly uniform sound.
Conversely, if the threshold is too high, the compressor may not engage as needed, failing to achieve the desired dynamic mix control. Therefore, striking the right balance is key to effective sidechain compression and achieving a well-balanced mix.
Balancing Dynamics Properly
Achieving a balanced mix demands a thorough understanding of threshold settings, as these parameters directly influence how dynamically your compressor reacts to the sidechain input. The threshold setting determines the point at which compression begins to affect the audio signal. Adjusting this threshold is important for maintaining proper dynamic control and ensuring your mix remains cohesive.
When you set the threshold too low, the compressor becomes overly sensitive to incoming audio levels, leading to excessive compression. This can squash the dynamic range, making the mix sound lifeless. Conversely, setting the threshold too high means the compressor won’t engage enough, resulting in insufficient dynamic control and a potentially unbalanced mix.
Understanding and fine-tuning this parameter requires precision. Here’s a quick reference table to help you navigate threshold settings:
Threshold Setting | Effect on Mix |
---|---|
Too Low | Excessive compression, reduced dynamics |
Effective | Balanced compression, dynamic control |
Too High | Insufficient compression, unbalanced mix |
Fine-Tuning Attack and Release
How precisely can you manipulate attack and release times to craft the dynamic response of your mix using sidechain compression? Understanding attack behavior is vital; the attack time dictates how swiftly the compressor responds to the input signal’s amplitude changes.
A shorter attack time will clamp down on transient sounds like drums, giving your mix a more controlled and punchy feel. Conversely, a longer attack time lets the initial transient pass through uncompressed, preserving the natural impact of percussive elements.
Fine-tuning release characteristics is equally important. The release time determines how long the compressor continues to attenuate the signal after it falls below the threshold. A faster release time can make the compression effect more noticeable, adding a rhythmic pumping effect to your mix.
A slower release time results in a smoother, more sustained sound, ensuring that the compression is less intrusive and more natural.
Balancing these parameters is key. Too short an attack or release time can lead to an overly aggressive and unnatural sound, while too long can cause the mix to lose its intended dynamics. By carefully adjusting these times, you can shape the envelope of your compressed signal, enhancing the perceived rhythm and cohesion of your mix.
Sidechaining Kick and Bass
To effectively sidechain your kick and bass, start by setting up the kick drum as the trigger for the sidechain input on the bass compressor. This allows the kick to dynamically control the bass, ensuring the low-end frequencies are balanced and don’t clash.
Fine-tuning parameters like threshold, ratio, and attack time is essential for a tight, cohesive mix where both elements complement each other.
Setting Up Sidechain Trigger
Start by assigning the kick drum track as the external sidechain source, ensuring it triggers the compressor effectively. This sidechain trigger setup is essential for achieving a dynamic mix. Begin with signal routing; route the kick drum’s audio signal to the sidechain input of the compressor on the bass track. This route allows the kick to control the compression applied to the bass.
Next, focus on trigger source selection by choosing the kick drum track within your DAW’s compressor plugin. This guarantees that the kick’s transients trigger the compressor, providing precise compression control.
Adjust the compressor’s attack and release times to control how quickly the compression engages and disengages. Fine-tune the threshold setting to specify the compression onset point. Utilize a dedicated sidechain track for more precise control over the trigger signal. Experiment with different ratio settings to strike the perfect balance between the kick and bass levels.
Here’s a table summarizing the key steps:
Step | Description |
---|---|
1. Sidechain Trigger Setup | Assign kick drum as external sidechain source |
2. Signal Routing | Route kick to sidechain input of bass compressor |
3. Trigger Source Selection | Choose kick within the compressor plugin |
4. Compression Control | Adjust attack, release, and threshold settings |
5. Ratio Settings | Experiment to achieve desired balance |
Balancing Low-End Frequencies
Balancing the low-end frequencies in your mix through sidechaining the kick and bass guarantees that each element maintains its clarity and punch without competing for the same sonic space. By employing sidechain compression, you enable the kick drum to momentarily reduce the volume of the bass whenever it hits, thereby preserving its impact and ensuring bass clarity.
Begin by setting the compressor on your bass track to be triggered by the kick. Carefully adjust the threshold and ratio settings to achieve the desired level of attenuation. The best settings will allow the kick to cut through the mix without overly suppressing the bass. This balance is crucial for effective frequency management and ensuring that both elements retain their presence.
Additionally, consider making EQ adjustments to further refine the interaction between kick and bass. Implementing EQ cuts on the bass track around the fundamental frequency of the kick can create more space, enhancing the kick impact while maintaining a solid low-end foundation.
The rhythmic pumping effect created by sidechain compression not only enhances the groove of your track but also ensures meticulous frequency management, resulting in a polished and professional mix.
Sidechaining Vocals
Implementing sidechain compression for vocals involves routing the vocal track as the sidechain input to a compressor on the accompanying tracks, thereby guaranteeing the vocals remain prominent in the mix. This technique enhances vocal clarity and maintains mix balance by dynamically reducing the volume of other elements whenever the vocals are active.
It effectively prevents frequency clashes, particularly in mid-range frequencies that vocals occupy, which is essential for achieving a polished and professional sound.
For ideal frequency management, adjust the compressor’s attack and release settings to avoid unnatural pumping effects. Quick attack times ensure immediate response to vocal transients, while tailored release times allow the accompanying tracks to recover smoothly after vocal phrases. This precise control is essential in dense mixes, especially in genres like EDM and pop, where vocals must cut through complex layers of instrumentation.
To set up sidechain compression, you’ll need to route your vocal track into the sidechain input of the compressor applied to the backing tracks. Fine-tune the threshold, ratio, attack, and release parameters to achieve the desired level of vocal prominence without sacrificing the overall sonic integrity.
This method guarantees that your vocals remain intelligible and impactful across various musical contexts.
Sidechaining Synths and Pads
When you sidechain synths and pads, you can enhance mix clarity by allowing rhythmic elements like kick drums to cut through.
This technique not only prevents frequency masking but also creates a dynamic, rhythmic groove that adds energy to your track.
Adjusting parameters such as attack, release, and ratio will help you tailor the compression to achieve the desired balance in your mix.
Enhancing Mix Clarity
Utilizing sidechain compression to duck synths and pads in response to kick drums or bass greatly enhances mix clarity by preventing frequency clashes and creating more space within the track. This technique is essential for achieving mix depth and sound separation, guaranteeing that each element has its own place in the sonic landscape.
When you sidechain synths and pads, you allow the kick and bass to cut through the mix more effectively. This results in a cleaner, more professional sound. By adjusting the attack and release times on the compressor, you can fine-tune how quickly the synths and pads duck and return to their normal levels. This seamless interaction between elements is crucial for maintaining the overall energy and clarity of your mix.
Here are three key steps to enhance mix clarity through sidechaining:
- Set Up Sidechain Routing: Route the kick or bass signal to the sidechain input of the compressor on your synths or pads.
- Adjust Compressor Settings: Fine-tune the attack and release times to ensure smooth transitions, avoiding abrupt volume changes.
- Monitor the Mix: Continuously listen and make adjustments to balance the mix depth and maintain sound separation.
Rhythmic Groove Creation
Achieving a rhythmic groove through sidechaining synths and pads involves precisely lowering their volume in sync with a kick drum, thereby creating a pulsating effect that enhances the track’s overall dynamics. This technique is pivotal for synth modulation and pad dynamics, guaranteeing they meld seamlessly with the rhythm section.
To implement this, route your kick drum to the sidechain input of the compressor applied to your synths and pads. Adjust the compressor’s attack and release times meticulously; a quick attack ensures immediate ducking, while a carefully timed release allows the volume to swell back, producing the desired pumping effect.
In electronic music production, sidechaining synths and pads with a kick drum is essential for creating a cohesive and driving beat. This method not only prevents frequency clashes but also injects energetic movement into the mix.
Pay attention to the threshold setting on your compressor; it dictates the level at which the sidechain input triggers volume reduction. Fine-tuning these parameters will help you craft a rhythmic groove that breathes life into your track, enhancing the overall dynamics and ensuring your synth modulation and pad dynamics work harmoniously with the beat.
Internal Vs. External Sidechaining
Understanding the nuances between internal and external sidechaining is essential for mastering dynamic mixing techniques in professional music production. Internal sidechaining focuses on frequency-specific processing within the same track, allowing you to ignore certain frequencies for more control. This method is ideal when you need to isolate and compress specific frequency ranges, providing advanced routing options and creative applications within a single track.
On the other hand, external sidechaining uses any audio signal as the control input for the compressor, which opens up a plethora of creative possibilities. This technique is commonly used for dynamic mixing effects and is particularly effective for creating interactions between different elements in your mix. By leveraging external sources, you can achieve unique effects that wouldn’t be possible with internal sidechaining alone.
Here’s a breakdown to help you visualize these concepts:
- Internal Sidechaining: Frequency-specific processing within a single track.
- External Sidechaining: Uses any audio signal as the control input, fostering creative interactions.
- Advanced Routing: Both methods offer advanced routing options tailored to specific mixing needs.
Mastering both types will greatly enhance your dynamic mixing capabilities, allowing for more precise and creative control over your audio productions.
Creative Uses of Sidechain Compression
Sidechain compression offers myriad creative opportunities, such as crafting rhythmic pumping effects that define genres like electronic dance music. By strategically sidechaining your kick drum to your bass track, you can achieve a cleaner mix where the kick cuts through without clashing frequencies. This technique not only enhances mix clarity but also injects a dynamic groove, a hallmark of electronic and dance music.
Another compelling creative application is enhancing vocal prominence. By sidechaining your vocal track to the instrumental mix, the music will duck slightly whenever the vocals are present. This guarantees that the vocal remains the focal point, contributing to a more balanced and intelligible mix.
Experimenting with sidechain compression on various instruments can yield unique sound manipulations. For instance, sidechaining a pad or synth to the snare can add rhythmic effects that complement the overall beat. Applying sidechain compression to the master channel can also glue different elements together, making the mix feel more cohesive.
Common Sidechain Compression Mistakes
Incorrect threshold settings often lead to either over-compression or insufficient dynamic control, undermining the effectiveness of sidechain compression in your mix. When calibrating your threshold, make sure it reacts precisely to the sidechain source’s dynamics. Misjudging this can squash your track or leave it dynamically inconsistent.
Avoiding common mistakes in sidechain compression also involves paying close attention to attack and release times. These parameters are essential for effective techniques for dynamic control. A fast attack might make your compression sound too aggressive, while a slow release can cause pumping artifacts. Aim for a balance that maintains musicality.
Inappropriate sidechain sources can further complicate your mix. For instance, using a bass drum to duck an entire track can lead to unbalanced shifts in volume. Here are some best practices for dynamic mixing:
- Threshold: Set it to respond accurately to the sidechain signal.
- Attack/Release: Adjust these to maintain natural dynamics and avoid pumping.
- Sidechain Source: Choose a source that complements your mix, avoiding muddiness.
Furthermore, improper ratio settings can either overly flatten your dynamics or fail to provide enough control. Finally, ignoring the interaction between sidechain compression and EQ may lead to frequency clashes, hampering the clarity of your mix. Understanding these sidechain compression pitfalls to avoid will greatly enhance your dynamic mixing capabilities.
Advanced Sidechain Techniques
Harnessing advanced sidechain techniques can greatly enhance your mix, utilizing rhythmic patterns or vocal elements to dynamically trigger compression on targeted tracks. By leveraging sidechain automation and innovative techniques, you can create rhythmic pumping effects, highlight specific elements, and enrich the overall dynamics of your mix.
For example, using a vocal sample to trigger sidechain compression on a reverb track can add clarity and focus to the vocals. Similarly, rhythmic patterns can be employed to generate movement and texture across various elements in your mix. Experimenting with tools like LFO plugins, volume shapers, and specialized sidechain plugins allows you to achieve unique sonic results.
Here’s a table illustrating these advanced techniques:
Technique | Description | Application Example |
---|---|---|
Vocal-triggered sidechain | Uses vocal sample to trigger compression | Enhancing vocal clarity in the mix |
Rhythmic pattern sidechain | Employs rhythmic patterns to control dynamics | Creating a pulsing bassline effect |
LFO plugins and volume shapers | Adds tempo-synced modulation and custom shaping | Introducing dynamic movement in pads |
Complex sidechain routing | Employs intricate routing for nuanced compression | Multi-band compression for drum bus |
Understanding and experimenting with these techniques can lead to innovative and impactful music production decisions, ultimately setting your mix apart with its dynamic expression and precision.
Recommended Compressor Plugins
When seeking high-quality compressor plugins for dynamic mixing, you’ll find that tools like FabFilter Pro-C 2 and Waves C1 Compressor offer unparalleled sidechain options and precision controls. These top recommendations are essential for achieving professional-grade mixes.
FabFilter Pro-C 2 stands out with its versatile sidechain options, advanced controls, and user-friendly interface, making it a go-to for both beginners and seasoned producers.
Waves C1 Compressor is another strong contender, providing precise sidechain control with adjustable filters and customizable compression settings. Its intuitive design guarantees you can quickly dial in the exact sound you need without compromising on quality.
For those looking for transparent compression with intuitive sidechain features, Native Instruments‘ Solid Bus Comp is an excellent choice.
Here’s a quick rundown of these top compressor plugins:
- FabFilter Pro-C 2: Versatile sidechain options, advanced controls, user-friendly interface.
- Waves C1 Compressor: Precise sidechain control, adjustable filters, customizable compression settings.
- Native Instruments‘ Solid Bus Comp: Transparent compression, intuitive sidechain features.
Additionally, PSP Audioware’s VintageWarmer2 and Universal Audio’s LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection offer unique characteristics, such as analog warmth and vintage emulations, respectively, further enhancing your dynamic mixing capabilities.
Practical Examples in Popular Music
Sidechain compression, a powerful tool in dynamic mixing, is prominently featured in numerous popular tracks, illustrating its impact on modern music production. For instance, in Zedd’s song ‘Lost At Sea,’ sidechain compression is employed to create a distinctive pumping effect between the kick and bass, allowing each element to breathe and maintain clarity. This technique is vital for the energetic drive typical of electronic dance music, demonstrating genre-specific approaches.
Purity Ring’s track ‘Fineshrine‘ offers another example, where sidechain compression is used for rhythmic pulsing and dynamic balance. Here, the compression synchronizes with the song’s tempo, creating a hypnotic flow and enhancing the artistic interpretations of the track’s ambient and electronic elements.
Daft Punk’s iconic ‘One More Time’ employs sidechain compression to emphasize the kick drum, crafting a compelling and driving groove. This application not only reinforces the track’s rhythmic foundation but also exemplifies how sidechain compression can enhance a song’s energy and clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Use Sidechain Compression?
Yes, you should use sidechain compression. It improves mixing balance and introduces a pumping effect. Adjusting parameters like threshold and ratio dynamically controls track levels, enhancing mix clarity and adding rhythmic interest to your productions.
What Is a Dynamic Sidechain?
A dynamic sidechain uses signal routing to trigger compression based on specific criteria, like frequency balance. It allows you to selectively compress audio tracks, maintaining a polished mix by managing dynamics and emphasizing key elements.
Should Sidechain Go Before or After Eq?
You should place sidechain before EQ if you need precise control over frequency balance and targeted compression. Alternatively, route the signal for sidechain after EQ to prevent frequency conflicts and maintain a smoother tonal balance in your mix.
Where to Use Sidechain Compression?
You should use sidechain compression on bass for bass ducking, ensuring kick prominence. Apply it to vocals for vocal clarity, making them stand out against instrumentals. It’s also effective on instruments and master channels for cohesive mixes.
Conclusion
In mastering sidechain compression, you’ve now grasped its history, key components, and setup intricacies.
By fine-tuning threshold settings and avoiding common pitfalls, you can enhance your mix’s clarity and dynamism.
Advanced techniques and the right plugins will further refine your sound.
With practical examples in popular music, you’ll confidently apply these skills, achieving professional-quality mixes.
Keep experimenting and honing your craft to fully leverage the power of sidechain compression in dynamic mixing.