Sidechain a bassline in Reason

Anonymous
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Sidechaining a bassline typically involves using a compressor on the bass track that is controlled by the kick drum track, allowing the kick sound to momentarily suppress the bass sound. This technique is often used in music production to make the kick drum stand out more in the mix. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to sidechain a bassline:

  1. Connect the Kick Drum to the Sidechain Input: Route the audio signal from the kick drum to the sidechain input of the compressor on the bass track. This can be done by tapping the signal from the kick drum channel and routing it to the dynamics sidechain input of the bass audio track device.

  2. Adjust Compressor Settings: Once the sidechain input is set up, the compressor on the bass track will be controlled by the kick drum signal. You should adjust the compressor's settings – threshold, ratio, attack, and release – to achieve the desired sidechaining effect. The threshold will determine when the compressor starts to reduce the bass level, the ratio sets how much the bass level is reduced, the attack controls how quickly the compression starts, and the release sets how quickly the bass returns to its original level after the compression.

  3. Monitor and Fine-Tune: Listen to the mix and adjust the compressor settings as needed to achieve a balanced sound where the kick drum cuts through the mix without completely overpowering the bassline.

  4. Use Sidechain for Creative Effects: Besides basic ducking, you can use sidechaining creatively, for instance, by using an equalized signal to make the compression sensitive to certain frequency ranges or for effects like de-essing.

This explanation is based on specific instructions from the document you provided. For more detailed guidance, you can refer to the sections on compression sidechaining and using the dynamics sidechain inputs in the manual, which are found on pages 495, 496, pages 456, 455, and pages 1278, 1279.

Anonymous

How can highpass a bass?

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To highpass a bass in Reason, you generally use a highpass filter (HPF). A highpass filter allows higher frequencies to pass through while attenuating or cutting out the lower frequencies. The process of highpassing a bass involves setting the cutoff frequency of the filter to determine which low frequencies will be attenuated. Here are the steps you can follow:

  1. Choose the Filter Type: Set the filter on your bass track or synthesizer to a highpass filter. In Reason, this is often labeled as "HP," "HPF," or "Highpass." You might find different slope options, like 12 dB/octave or 18 dB/octave. The slope indicates how steeply the filter attenuates frequencies below the cutoff. A steeper slope (higher dB value) means a more drastic cut.

  2. Set the Cutoff Frequency: Adjust the cutoff frequency of the highpass filter. This parameter sets the point at which lower frequencies start to be attenuated. The frequency is usually measured in Hertz (Hz). Setting a higher cutoff frequency will remove more of the low end, creating a thinner bass sound.

  3. Adjust Resonance (If Available): Some highpass filters allow you to adjust the resonance. Increasing the resonance emphasizes frequencies around the cutoff point, which can add a certain character or sharpness to the filtered sound.

  4. Fine-Tune the Filter Settings: Listen to the bass in the context of the full mix and adjust the cutoff frequency and resonance until you achieve the desired sound. The goal is often to remove unwanted low-end rumble or to make the bass fit better with other elements in the mix, like the kick drum.

The specific steps and parameters might vary slightly depending on the synthesizer or effect unit you are using in Reason. For detailed information on highpass filters in various Reason devices, refer to the sections in the manual on pages 868, 869, 1069, and 457.