polarity_music

Ultra Sidechain (RMSC)

Added 2024-10-28 14:19:21 +0000 UTC

In this tutorial, I break down the process of creating ring mod sidechain modulation in Bitwig Studio to precisely duck the bass around the kick drum, a popular technique in modern production.

I explain why the conventional ring mod side-chaining setup introduces distortion and how to create a cleaner, adjustable version in Bitwig with audio rate modulation.

This video covers two approaches: a straightforward method using Bitwig's built-in tools and a more advanced setup using the FX Grid for maximum control.

Key Points:

Ring Mod Sidechain Basics: Commonly used to duck bass when the kick hits but can cause distortion.
Bitwig's Simple Setup:
- Use a Tool device with an audio rate modulator to receive the kick drum signal.
- Rectify the kick signal to avoid polarity issues and duck bass volume by -1.
Distortion Issues: Frequency and phase mismatches between kick and bass cause "leaked" frequencies and distortion.
Advanced FX Grid Setup:
- Set up a sidechain with envelope followers and a transfer curve to refine the sidechain response.
- Fine-tune smoothing and control using the transfer curve for precise cuts.
Recommended Option: For ease, try Bitwig's audio sidechain modulator, which includes band-pass filtering and smoothing.