11.1.3 Using the Side-Chain InputFor certain Plug-ins, MASCHINE allows you to use a side-chain input to control how the effectsprocess the audio.What Is a Side-Chain Input?If we consider an effect unit that processes the signal incoming at its main input, side-chainingmeans using a secondary signal (the “side-chain signal”) fed to a secondary input of the unit(the “side-chain input”) to control the behavior of the processing. Usually the amplitude of theside-chain signal will determine how much the main signal will be processed by the unit.In music production the side-chain signal is most of the time another audio track of theproject. A common example is the use of the kick drum track as side-chain for the compres-sion of the bass track: on each kick the compressor will compress the bass more, resulting in atypical pumping effect between kick and bass that can be heard in various styles of dance mu-sic.The Side-Chain Parameter PageThe following Internal, Native Instruments, and External Plug-ins support side-chaining:▪ Internal Plug-ins: Compressor, Maximizer, Limiter, Gate, Filter.▪ AU plug-ins (Native Instruments and External): Any AU plug-in with side-chain input.▪ VST plug-ins (Native Instruments and External): Any VST plug-in with multiple inputs.When you load any of these Plug-ins in a Sound or a Group, a Side-Chain Input Parameterpage appears at the end of the page list.Side-chaining is not possible at the Master level (i.e. if the Plug-in is loaded in a Plug-inslot of the Master).Using EffectsApplying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the MasterMASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 582
