Sidechaining is an essential technique in music production, used to duck the volume of one track (usually bass or synths) in sync with another track (often the kick drum) to create space in the mix. This gives the track a rhythmic pulse and a cleaner, more professional sound. While traditional sidechaining often requires routing tracks through compressors, Gross Beat provides a quick and efficient alternative.
With Gross Beat, you can easily achieve that signature "ducking" effect to make your instruments breathe with the beat. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through how to use Gross Beat for sidechaining, whether you're looking for subtle pumping or aggressive volume cuts.
What Is Gross Beat?
Gross Beat is a time manipulation plugin from Image-Line (the creators of FL Studio) that allows producers to apply real-time gating, stuttering, time-warping, and pitch effects to their audio. It's widely known for its flexibility in creating rhythmic volume automation, making it perfect for sidechain-style effects.
While originally designed for glitch and stutter effects, Gross Beat’s built-in patterns make it a popular tool for producers to achieve sidechaining without having to set up complex compressor chains.
Why Use Gross Beat for Sidechaining?
Sidechaining with a traditional compressor can take time to set up and tweak. Gross Beat offers a quicker method with built-in volume automation curves that allow you to “duck” the volume of your instruments with just a few clicks. Gross Beat simplifies this process by providing pre-configured volume envelopes that automatically sync to the tempo of your track.
This can be a huge time saver, especially if you’re working on genres like EDM, house, or trap where the sidechain pumping effect is a key element.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Gross Beat for Sidechaining
1. Insert Gross Beat onto Your Instrument Track
The first step is to insert Gross Beat on the track you want to sidechain. In most cases, this will be the bass, synths, or pads. If you’re using FL Studio:
- Navigate to the Mixer window.
- Select the channel where your instrument is routed (for example, your bassline or synth).
- In one of the effect slots, insert Gross Beat from the plugin menu.
2. Choose a Sidechain Preset
Once you’ve added Gross Beat to your track, the next step is to apply one of its sidechain presets. Gross Beat has a variety of pre-configured sidechain curves that will automatically duck the volume in sync with the beat. These presets can be found under the "Volume" tab in the preset section.
Some popular presets for sidechaining include:
- 1/2 Beat Gate: This preset ducks the volume every half-beat, giving a smooth and rhythmic pumping effect.
- 1/4 Beat Gate: This preset ducks the volume every quarter beat, creating a faster, more pronounced sidechain effect.
- 1 Beat Sidechain: This is a classic sidechain preset that ducks the volume every full beat, perfect for genres like house and EDM.
By choosing the appropriate preset, you can instantly create a dynamic, sidechained feel without any manual routing or setup.
3. Adjust the Timing and Sync
Gross Beat allows you to customize the timing and intensity of the sidechain effect by manipulating the points in the volume curve. You can adjust:
- The Speed: Choose whether the sidechain effect happens on each beat, half-beat, or quarter-beat, depending on the feel you want.
- The Depth: Use the graph editor to control how much volume reduction occurs. The lower the curve, the more aggressive the ducking will be.
By tweaking these parameters, you can get exactly the sidechain effect you want—whether it’s a subtle pulse or a hard-hitting volume drop.
4. Sync the Sidechain to the Kick Drum
For the sidechain to feel natural, it should usually sync to the rhythm of your kick drum. Gross Beat syncs to the project’s tempo, so as long as your kick drum is in time with the beat, the sidechain effect will be too.
To further refine the timing, you can manually drag the volume automation points on the Gross Beat curve to line up with your kick drum hits for perfect synchronization.
5. Automate Gross Beat for Dynamic Sidechaining
One of the most powerful features of Gross Beat is that you can automate it throughout your track. For example, if you only want the sidechain effect during the chorus or drop, you can automate the bypass or wet/dry mix so that the sidechain kicks in at specific points.
Here’s how to automate the effect in FL Studio:
- Right-click the bypass button in Gross Beat.
- Select Create Automation Clip.
- In the Playlist window, you can then draw in the areas where you want the effect to be active or bypassed.
This gives you even more control over how and when the sidechain effect is applied in your track.
Tips for Getting the Best Results with Gross Beat Sidechaining
1. Use Gross Beat Subtly
While Gross Beat can create aggressive pumping effects, you don’t always have to use it to extreme levels. Try using more subtle curves if you want the sidechain to blend seamlessly into your mix without drawing too much attention to itself.
2. Experiment with Different Instruments
Gross Beat isn’t just for sidechaining bass or synths—it can also be used to add rhythmic automation to vocals, guitars, or any other instrument. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sounds to see how the sidechain effect changes the dynamic of your track.
3. Combine Gross Beat with Compression
If you’re looking for a more organic sidechain effect, you can combine Gross Beat with traditional sidechain compression. Use Gross Beat to add rhythmic ducking to the bass and a compressor on the kick drum to further enhance the interaction between the two elements.
Conclusion: Sidechain Your Way to a Professional Sound with Gross Beat
Gross Beat offers a fast, intuitive way to achieve the classic sidechain pumping effect that’s popular in many modern music genres. With its built-in volume automation presets, you can quickly apply sidechaining to your instruments without having to deal with complex routing or compressor settings.
Whether you’re producing house, EDM, trap, or any genre that benefits from rhythmic volume automation, Gross Beat is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. By following this tutorial, you’ll be able to cleanly duck your instruments in time with the beat, creating a more polished and professional mix.