History of compressor sidechaining, for wikipedia!? I need info and facts.

Mr Keys · 20th December 2007

I'm trying to find out the history of "compressor sidechaining". I know it's an "effect" used in a lot of modern clubhits, but I also know it's a LOT older than that.

Who "invented" it? and when was it first introduced i mixing? any popular OLD songs it's been used in?
Was it i used in the 60's? 70's?

Was it originally for ducking the bass when the kickdrum hits, or was it to lower music when someone speaks, or was it originally for something else?

Tell me anything you guys know about the history of sidechaining!!
any old mogul in here that was around when it started beeing used in mixing?

I want it ALL!!!!!

asagaai · 20th December 2007

Course project?

Never copy my exams-I always did crap!

GJ
Newcastle Oz

avare · 20th December 2007

Sorry, I cannot provide any references to support my memory. Side chains were developed by Douglas Shearer in the 30's as a continuing development of bean counters looking for a way reduce shooting costs for movies by getting rid of the sound person.

At first it was thought a compressor would even the levels so the sound person would not be required. Initial trials showed problems with sibilants. Hence the side chain. We know how effective the bean counters were at eliminating the sound person.

The odds of one the people involved with that originally, are pretty low. If they were 20 in 1935, they are now 92. Having written that, one of the founders of the AES was at the last convention in NYC. Some guy you may have heard of, Les Paul.

If my memory is correct, and it may very well not be, someone correct me.

In addition to controlling sibilants, by the sixties, sidechains were used for ducking in such hi fidelity places as department stores to reduce the music levels when "special on personal massage devices in health and beauty care!" was announced by the fully trained 17 year old, with days of experience of turning the music volume down and back.

Historically:
Andre

Bob Olhsson · 20th December 2007

The SSL consoles were the first place I saw signal processing of sidechains commonly used in music production.

A De-Ess filter in compressor sidechains dates back to at least the 1950s if not to motion picture optical recording equipment from the 1930s.

20th December 2007	#1
Mr Keys Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 40 Thread Starter	History of compressor sidechaining, for wikipedia!? I need info and facts. I'm trying to find out the history of "compressor sidechaining". I know it's an "effect" used in a lot of modern clubhits, but I also know it's a LOT older than that. Who "invented" it? and when was it first introduced i mixing? any popular OLD songs it's been used in? Was it i used in the 60's? 70's? Was it originally for ducking the bass when the kickdrum hits, or was it to lower music when someone speaks, or was it originally for something else? Tell me anything you guys know about the history of sidechaining!! any old mogul in here that was around when it started beeing used in mixing? I want it ALL!!!!!

20th December 2007	#4
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 10,636	The SSL consoles were the first place I saw signal processing of sidechains commonly used in music production. A De-Ess filter in compressor sidechains dates back to at least the 1950s if not to motion picture optical recording equipment from the 1930s. __________________ Bob's room 615 562-4346 Georgetown Masters 615 254-3233 Music Industry 2.0 Interview

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20th December 2007	#2
asagaai Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newcastle/OZ Posts: 1,061	Course project? Never copy my exams-I always did crap! GJ Newcastle Oz

20th December 2007	#3
avare Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hamilton, On Canada Posts: 3,483	Sorry, I cannot provide any references to support my memory. Side chains were developed by Douglas Shearer in the 30's as a continuing development of bean counters looking for a way reduce shooting costs for movies by getting rid of the sound person. At first it was thought a compressor would even the levels so the sound person would not be required. Initial trials showed problems with sibilants. Hence the side chain. We know how effective the bean counters were at eliminating the sound person. The odds of one the people involved with that originally, are pretty low. If they were 20 in 1935, they are now 92. Having written that, one of the founders of the AES was at the last convention in NYC. Some guy you may have heard of, Les Paul. If my memory is correct, and it may very well not be, someone correct me. In addition to controlling sibilants, by the sixties, sidechains were used for ducking in such hi fidelity places as department stores to reduce the music levels when "special on personal massage devices in health and beauty care!" was announced by the fully trained 17 year old, with days of experience of turning the music volume down and back. Historically: Andre