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Side-chain compression methods?

It's me again, I'm afraid :-) This time, I'd like to ask about side-chain compression. I've tried a few things but am still not sure what the best way is, so I'll explain what I'm trying to do.

I've worked through the information/links in this previous thread and have the following set-up:

- 4-channel duplex Sidechain bus, containing Calf Sidechain Compressor and monitored
- bass MIDI track (signal to be ducked), with dedicated outputs going to Sidechain bus 1+2_in
- kick MIDI track (signal to trigger duck), with dedicated outputs going to Sidechain bus 3+4_in
- kick MIDI track also sent to Drums bus via Aux Send to join the rest of the kit
- Sidechain (1+2_out) and Drums bus connected to system playback, to hear the result

With this, I have the bass ducked correctly but on exporting the file, the output of the Sidechain bus isn't included (presumably due to the use of dedicated outputs). The kick exports correctly. I've tried various other approaches but they've all failed. The only way I've been able to export the session correctly is by first bouncing the Sidechain bus to an audio track within Qtractor.

So, my questions are:

1) Is the above the "correct" way to do things?
2) Is there any way to have the output of the Sidechain bus exported directly, without having to bounce first? Perhaps by somehow connecting without using dedicated outputs (as I know you've said you shouldn't route busses to other busses within Qtractor)?

BTW, I realise that this kind of routing operation may be outside the scope of a "sequencer with DAW-like features" and, if so, that's no problem, but I'd like to check what my options are. Thanks.

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rncbc's picture

re. Is there any way to have the output of the Sidechain bus exported directly, without having to bounce first?

are you selecting/including the so called "sidechain buses" (they're audio output buses, right?) as any of the export output buses (cf export dialog, under "Outputs" where multiple selection is allowed:)).

not asking this as an answer to your question though, may be just an alternative to record/bouncing as a last resource.

cheers

ps. hope Holger Marzen aka. bluebell is listening here, as i'm sure he's a lot more seasoned on side-chaining and/or sub-grouping under qtractor, w/e:)

> are you selecting/including the so called "sidechain buses" (they're audio output buses, right?)

Yes, the Sidechain bus is audio and selected for export along with the other busses, but its ouput is silent. All other busses are fine.

It must be because the bus is being fed only by dedicated outputs, but I can't see a way around this. Trying to connect to it via an Aux Send doesn't trigger Calf Sidechain Compressor, as there's no way (that I know of) to connect to the specific inputs that are required.

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