Sidechaining
Sidechaining in GUITAR RIG enables the use of an external audio signal to control Components independently of the input signal.
Sidechaining enables the use of an external audio signal to control Components independently of the input signal. It is commonly used on compressors, where the sidechain signal is used to control the amount of compression applied to the input signal. This makes it possible to create ducking and gating effects.
GUITAR RIG features a stereo sidechain input that receives the global sidechain signal. Components with sidechaining functionality can use the signal received at this input as the control signal. The following Components include sidechaining functionality:
Dynamics: Fast Comp, Solid Bus Comp, Solid Dynamics, Stomp Compressor, Tube Compressor, VC160, VC2A, VC76
Filters: Auto Filter
Modulation: Freak
Modifier: Envelope, Input Level, LFO
Using Modifiers it is possible to process the sidechain signal and use it to control any parameter in your Rack. For example, by assigning the Input Level Component in sidechain mode to the gain of a low-shelf equalizer, you can use a kick drum signal to cut low-frequency content of your bass guitar when the kick drum hits.
Sidechaining is available in both the GUITAR RIG stand-alone application and the plug-in. While the stand-alone application facilitates routing of the sidechain input in its Preferences, the plug-in relies on the routing functionality of the DAW it is hosted in. For more information, refer to Sidechaining in the Stand-Alone Application and Sidechaining in the Plug-in.
Sidechaining in the Stand-Alone Application
To use sidechaining in the GUITAR RIG stand-alone application, you need to configure the sidechain input in the Preferences.
Click the Main menu in the Header and open Preferences... in the File sub-menu.
In the Preferences, go to the Audio tab and click on Inputs in the lower section.
Choose the desired inputs of your audio interface in the Guitar Rig 6 SideChain L and Guitar Rig 6 SideChain R drop-down menus.
The signal received from the chosen inputs is now available as global sidechain signal in GUITAR RIG.
Components providing sidechaining functionality feature a special mode that replaces the internal control signal with the global sidechain signal.
To activate sidechaining functionality, click on the Sidechain or S.C. button on the Component.
The internal control signal of the Component is replaced with the global sidechain signal.
Sidechaining in the Plug-in
To use sidechaining in the GUITAR RIG plug-in, you need to use your DAW's routing functionality to configure the sidechain input. The plug-in reports the availability of this input to the DAW, which can show it as part of its routing options.
For example, Ableton Live shows sidechain routing as part of the Device in the Detail view:
Choose the desired input track from your Live Set in the Sidechain drop-down menu.
The signal received from the chosen input track is now available as global sidechain signal in GUITAR RIG.
Components providing sidechaining functionality feature a special mode that replaces the internal control signal with the global sidechain signal.
To activate sidechaining functionality, click on the Sidechain or S.C. button on the Component.
The internal control signal of the Component is replaced with the global sidechain signal.
Note
Please refer to the documentation of your DAW to learn more about its routing functionality and how to configure sidechain inputs.