5 Ways to Sidechain in FL Studio 24.2 in 2026

If you’ve been producing music for a while, you’ve probably heard about sidechaining—a mixing technique that allows one sound to control the volume of another. In simple terms, it creates space in your mix by lowering the volume of certain instruments whenever another sound plays. The most common example is the “pumping” effect in EDM, where the kick drum ducks the volume of the bass or pads to make the track sound tight and energetic.

With the release of FL Studio 24.2 in 2026, Image-Line has made sidechaining smoother, faster, and more versatile than ever. Whether you’re an electronic music producer looking for that punchy low-end, a hip-hop artist balancing vocals and 808s, or a film composer creating dynamic soundscapes, knowing different ways to sidechain in FL Studio is essential.

In this guide, we’ll explore 5 effective methods to sidechain in FL Studio 24.2, from classic compression to creative routing techniques. By the end, you’ll have a toolkit of approaches to apply in your mixes—whether you want subtle clarity or aggressive pumping.

1. Sidechain with Fruity Limiter (Classic Compression Method)

The Fruity Limiter is one of FL Studio’s most powerful built-in tools, doubling as a compressor and limiter. Its COMP mode makes it perfect for traditional sidechaining.

Steps:

1. Add Fruity Limiter to the mixer insert of the sound you want to duck (e.g., a bassline).
2. Route the kick drum channel to that insert as a sidechain input (right-click the routing arrow and select “Sidechain to this track”).
3. In Fruity Limiter, switch to the COMP tab.
4. Choose the kick as the sidechain source.
5. Adjust Threshold and Ratio until the bass ducks each time the kick hits.
6. Fine-tune Attack and Release for a natural or pumping effect.

Why Use This?

• Ideal for EDM, house, or trap when you want consistent kick-bass balance.
• Offers precise control with visual feedback in real-time.

2. Sidechain with Fruity Peak Controller (Automation-Based Ducking)

The Fruity Peak Controller is an underrated plugin that converts volume peaks into automation data. Instead of compression, it modulates other tracks directly.

Steps

1. Load Fruity Peak Controller on the kick drum channel.
2. Go to the instrument you want to duck (e.g., pads).
3. Right-click the Volume knob and link it to the Peak Controller.
4. In the link settings, invert the control so the pad volume goes down when the kick hits.
5. Adjust Base, Vol, and Tension to refine the ducking shape.

Why Use This?

• Offers more flexibility than compression.
• Perfect for sidechaining synths, pads, or effects where you need creative control.
• Lightweight on CPU compared to heavy compressors.

3. Sidechain with Gross Beat (Rhythmic Pumping)

FL Studio’s Gross Beat is often used for stutters and time manipulation, but it can also create rhythmic sidechain effects without relying on a kick drum.

Steps

1. Load Gross Beat on the mixer insert of the sound you want to duck.
2. Select a Volume Envelope preset (such as the classic 1/4 beat gate).
3. Customize the curve to simulate sidechain pumping.
4. Sync it with your project’s tempo for precision.

Why Use This?

• Great for creative genres like future bass, lo-fi, or experimental electronic music.
• Doesn’t require a trigger source (works independently of the kick).
• Can be used for off-beat rhythmic ducking to add groove.

4. Sidechain with Automation Clips (Manual Precision)

Sometimes, the old-school way is the best. Automation clips give you total control over volume changes, independent of plugins.

Steps

1. Right-click the Volume knob (on the mixer or channel rack) of the sound you want to duck.
2. Create an Automation Clip.
3. Draw automation points to dip the volume when the kick plays.
4. Use curves to create smooth or sharp ducking transitions.

Why Use This?

• Absolute control over dynamics.
• Perfect for songs where sidechaining doesn’t follow a regular pattern.
• Great for vocal mixing, where you want vocals to duck only specific elements.

5. Sidechain with Third-Party Plugins (Modern & Advanced Tools)

While FL Studio offers excellent stock plugins, many producers prefer third-party tools for sidechaining due to their speed and advanced features.

Popular Choices

• Xfer LFO Tool – Draw custom volume curves synced to tempo.
• Cableguys ShaperBox – Multiband sidechain with precise envelopes.
• Kickstart 2 (by Nicky Romero & Cableguys) – Quick sidechain with drag-and-drop simplicity.

Steps (Kickstart Example):

1. Load Kickstart 2 on the sound you want to duck.
2. Choose a sidechain curve preset (1/4 note, 1/8 note, etc.).
3. Adjust mix depth to control intensity.
4. Sync with your BPM for tight results.

Why Use This?

• Ultra-fast workflow.
• Advanced curve shaping for modern genres.
• Perfect for producers who want pro results with minimal tweaking.

Advanced Sidechaining Tips in FL Studio 24.2

• Multiband Sidechaining: Use Fruity Multiband Compressor or ShaperBox to duck only certain frequencies (e.g., duck just the bass range instead of the whole instrument).
• Ghost Sidechaining: Use a muted ghost kick track to trigger sidechaining without affecting the actual mix.
• Creative FX Sidechaining: Sidechain reverb or delay channels to prevent muddiness and keep vocals clean.
• Layered Sidechaining: Combine Fruity Limiter for bass with Gross Beat for pads to create complex dynamic movement.

Why Sidechain in FL Studio Matters in 2025?

With music production trends evolving, clarity and dynamics are more important than ever. Sidechaining helps you:

• Avoid frequency clashes (kick vs. bass is the classic example).
• Add rhythmic movement that keeps listeners engaged.
• Create polished, professional mixes that translate well on streaming platforms, club speakers, and headphones.

FL Studio 24.2 provides more routing flexibility and smoother CPU performance, making sidechaining easier than older versions. Whether you prefer compression, automation, or third-party tools, the key is to experiment until you find the workflow that fits your style.

Conclusion

Sidechaining is one of the most powerful techniques a producer can master, and with FL Studio 24.2 in 2026, you have more flexibility than ever to make your mixes sound polished and professional. Whether you choose the classic compression method with Fruity Limiter, the automation-driven approach with Peak Controller, the rhythmic shaping of Gross Beat, the precision of manual automation clips, or the speed and versatility of third-party plugins, each method brings its own advantages to different styles of music.

By understanding and experimenting with these five approaches, you can control dynamics, create space, and add movement to your tracks, ensuring your music stands out on any system. Ultimately, sidechaining isn’t just about clarity—it’s about creativity, and learning how to apply it effectively can take your productions to the next level.