Questions & Answers

How do I set up a compressor to do some "ducking" in Studio One Artist 2.6.5?

+1 vote
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asked Jan 22, 2019 in Studio One 4 by Macklehat Merffy (150 points)
I've never done this using software compressors.  Only with an outboard unit, years ago.  And I barely remember how I did it then.  I know it has something to do with a sidechain, but thats as far as I'm aware.  I'd like to set it up so my existing stereo guitar track drops out ever so slightly when the vocals are present.  I have two stereo tracks.  One is a mixdown of my guitars and the other is the vocal track.  Thank you in advance for your help!

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Aug 3, 2019 by briansowinski1 (140 points)
It's actually pretty simple in Studio One. Put Presonus Compressor on your stereo guitar track. Then on the SEND of the Vocal Track, when you go to add it, you should see the option for "Sidechain". Select the Presonus Compressor, and then BOOM.

Adjust the Threshold to get a feel for how hard the compressor will hit (or duck) when the vocals are present. Play with the ratio and release to really hone it it.

Be very gentle especially if you are using your vocal to duck the guitars, because both are very dynamic audio source and might get a little pumpy, if you aren't careful (unless that's what you're going for!).
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