How to Sidechain in Ableton Live: Make Your 808 Duck for the Kick

When your kick and 808 hit at the same time, they quickly turn into one muddy blob. With sidechain, your 808 ducks for a moment whenever the kick hits. In Ableton Live you do that with the built-in Compressor. Here's how to set it up.

What does sidechain do?

A compressor normally reacts to the sound going through it. With sidechain it listens to a different track. Put a compressor on your 808, let it listen to the kick, and the 808 gets quieter every time the kick hits. Then it comes back.

Step 1: give your kick its own track

It works easiest when your kick sits on its own track, and your 808 too. Then you can pick the kick as the source without any hassle.

Step 2: put a Compressor on your 808

Drag a Compressor from the browser onto your 808 track. According to Ableton, you unfold the sidechain settings with the button in the Compressor's title bar.

Step 3: pick the kick as the source

Turn on the Sidechain button. According to Ableton, you can then pick any of Live's internal routing points as the source. In the chooser below it, pick your kick track.

According to Ableton, the Gain knob sets the level of the sidechain input. The headphones button lets you hear only that signal. Handy to check you picked the right source.

Step 4: set the compression

Threshold sets where compression starts and Ratio sets how much. Attack and Release set how fast the 808 ducks and comes back.

A short attack makes the 808 duck right away. The release sets how long it takes to come back. Too long and your 808 sounds pumpy and thin. Too short and you barely hear a difference. Always listen to the kick and 808 together, not the 808 on its own.

Step 5: check that it works

Turn the Compressor off and on again. Does the kick sound clearer with sidechain? Then you're good. Hear the 808 pumping when you don't want it to? Back off the Threshold or Ratio a little.

Sidechain or change your pattern?

Sidechain isn't the only fix. It often also helps to keep the kick and 808 from hitting at exactly the same time, or to pick a kick that fits your 808 better. More tips in how to mix 808 and kick.

Common mistakes

• Sidechain button not turned on. Then the Compressor just reacts to your 808 itself.
• Picking the wrong source. Use the headphones button to check you really hear the kick.
• Kick and 808 on the same track. Then the 808 can't duck on its own.
• Too much compression. Then your 808 almost disappears.

No beat yet? Read how to make a trap beat in Ableton Live. Working in FL Studio? Read how to sidechain in FL Studio. Rather start rapping right away? Browse all beats.

FAQ

How do you sidechain in Ableton Live?

Put a Compressor on your 808, unfold the sidechain settings, turn on Sidechain, pick your kick track as the source and lower the Threshold.

Do I need a separate plug-in to sidechain in Ableton?

No. You can do it with Live's own Compressor.

Why can't I hear a difference?

Check that the Sidechain button is on, that you picked the right source and that the Threshold is low enough.

Source: the Ableton Live manual.