How to sidechain compress the bass against the kick (EDM)

EDM sidechain is the kick triggering a compressor on the bass so the two never fight for the low end.

Updated 2026-05-19

Short answer

EDM sidechain is the kick triggering a compressor on the bass so the two never fight for the low end. Set a 4-6:1 ratio, 1 ms attack, and a release tuned to the tempo (around 1/4 to 1/8 note) so the bass dips on every kick and rebounds in time for the next.

Source: kick on the sidechain input of the bass compressor
Threshold: low enough for 6-10 dB of gain reduction on each kick
Ratio: 4:1 standard, 6-8:1 for hard house/techno pumping
Attack: 1 ms (instant duck), Release: 80-150 ms at 128 BPM
Mix knob: 70-90% wet so the pump is audible but the bass body stays

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Route the kick to the bass compressor

On the bass channel, insert a compressor with a sidechain input. Route the kick to the sidechain (in Ableton: drag the kick into the sidechain dropdown; in Logic: set the side-chain source to the kick channel; in FL Studio: use a Fruity Limiter or sidechain via mixer routing). Don't actually mix the kick into the bass — only its trigger feeds the compressor.

Set the depth (threshold + ratio)

Aim for 6-10 dB of gain reduction on the loudest kick hits. Lower threshold = deeper duck. Start with ratio 4:1 and threshold around -20 dB. For aggressive pumping (techno, big-room), push to 6:1 or higher. The GR meter should bounce visibly on every kick.

Tune the release to the tempo

At 128 BPM, a quarter note is ~470 ms and an eighth is ~235 ms. Release should be shorter than the gap between kicks so the bass fully recovers. Start at 120 ms and adjust by ear — too fast = clicky distortion, too slow = bass never recovers and the groove dies.

Use the mix knob if your compressor has one

Setting wet/dry to 80-90% gives the pump effect without making the bass feel completely sucked away. This is also how you fix over-pumping: dial back the mix instead of reducing depth. If your compressor has no mix knob, use a parallel bus instead.

Frequently asked

Why do I need sidechain in EDM?

Kick and bass occupy the same frequency range (40-150 Hz). When they play together, they sum to a muddy peak that destroys the low end. Sidechain pulls the bass down momentarily on each kick hit so both have room — the kick punches, the bass breathes between hits.

What's the difference between sidechain compression and volume automation?

Volume automation gives you exact control but is tedious to draw and doesn't adapt to changes. Sidechain compression reacts dynamically — if a kick lands harder, the duck is deeper. Most producers use sidechain for the rhythmic pumping and automation for one-off cleanup.

Should I sidechain everything in an EDM mix?

No — only the bass and any element that competes with the kick in the sub range. Sidechaining synths, pads, or vocals to the kick is common in house and progressive but optional. Over-sidechaining everything makes the mix feel airless and overprocessed.

What about LFOTool or volume-shaper plugins instead?

LFOTool, Kickstart, and ShaperBox are 'fake sidechain' — they apply a pre-drawn volume curve instead of reacting to an actual kick. Faster to set up, more consistent shape, but less responsive. Use them for fixed patterns; use real sidechain when the kick rhythm varies.

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