This tutorial contains three screencasts showing you how to set up sidechain routing in Logic 9, Cubase 5 and Reason 4.
In these tutorials I use a kick drum to trigger the sidechain and use a piano loop for the processed sound but obviously you can apply this technique to any two sounds you wish. I have also included the project files from each DAW so you can load them up yourselves.
Setting Up Sidechain Routing in Logic Pro 9
Setting Up Sidechain Routing in Cubase 5
Setting Up Sidechain Routing in Reason 4
Download the Play Pack for this tutorial (3.3MB)
Contents
- Logic Source Files
- Cubase Source Files
- Reason Source Files

Excellent Tutorial.. thank you very much …
Just thought i’d add another very similar tut for yet another popular software AbletonLive.
Compressor Sidechain in Ableton Live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmv15hgFlpY
Thanks again for this!
Thanks – nice tutorials – especially the Reason one.
Keep on
Robbie
So imp glad this was done, it is a good start to get into some other topics.
I use ableton and reason in and use the sidechaining with the send/return setup.
I would really like to see the some tuts on creative ways to use sidechaining, with other effects like filters. Even ways to use it to have other kinds of sounds interact with one another.
Thanks for this one it sparked my interest.
sorry about the spelling lol
Great tutorial! I never really use side-chaining that much, mostly because I thought it was difficult. But you explained it so plainly that I’m going to try to use it more. Thanks!
Why are the videos not showing up? I have noticed this on a lot posts that I have seen recently.
Hi Chris. I’d say there is something wrong with the media plugin for your browser. The videos are all fine here.
Thank for the Logic Sidechaining tutorial, really helped alot, also the gate effect was useful.
In Ableton Live
How can I put the Fabfilter in External Sidechain…
The option is locked!!
Thanks…
Wondering if this might be a good way to avoid frequency cancellation? Or if you know of some good methods for this, possibly even direct me to the right tutorial if there is one. If you listen to pretty much any of the songs on my page you’ll hear what i’m talking about pretty quick.
BTW this is the first I’ve looked at any tutorials in 9 years of using reason, and I’m finding them invaluably sense I honestly still don’t think I know what I’m doing. and definitely don’t really know anything about mastering , production or theory.
Just starting school though so anything I learn here will only make things easier when I get past computer science and on into sound engineering and synthesis.
Thanks again, Sterling