Leveraging SONAR's Universal Bus Architecture framework, SONAR now supports internal sidechaining (multi-input plug-in support) with the Sonitus:fx Compressor, Sonitus:fx Gate, VC-64 Vintage Channel, and all sidechain compliant VST processors such as those available from Voxengo and Sonalksis.

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Sidechaining support provides you with more flexibility and control over mix processes and new creative options for key-triggered sound effects.  For example, you can use Sidechaining to more effectively avoid the clashing of multiple instruments occurring in the same frequency range. Other common uses include "Ducking" a technique used in radio broadcast, where the input signal, usually a vocal triggers the attenuation of the backing music track; and filter-sidechain de-essing for attenuating sibilance typically present in the 4-8kHz frequency range without effecting the tonal balance of the entire mix.

Sidechaining Audio Examples

Listen to an example of audio that utilizes sidechaining. There are two examples of sidechaining in this MP3:

1. Ducking: there is a turntable scratch that is ducking the lead guitar sound.
2. Gating: the second string section is being gated by the main drum loop.

Learn more about Sidechaining

Read a tech tip on sidechaining by Cakewalk's Bill Jackson that includes a sample SONAR project.