# SIDE CHAIN MODULE (Ducking) **URL:** \ **Category:** DIY STUFF\ **Created:** [February 22, 2021, 11:04am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998 "2021-02-22T11:04:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 11:04am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/1 "2021-02-22T11:04:21Z")
A very simple module but it seems to be effective. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/9/946c0fcdf350580d1228915b0355b7a4b79a0083.jpeg "Sidechain Ducker demonstration") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXaip9cjlhU) ![duck module](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/7/72e1ac15ae422b1d38dcd114c67efb47ae3c68e8.jpeg) > **[Freestyle High Fidelity Ducking Circuit](https://www.instructables.com/Freestyle-High-Fidelity-Ducking-Circuit/)** > > Freestyle High Fidelity Ducking Circuit: Hi! > Okay so first, what is a ducking circuit!?? So glad you asked! > Ducking is also called sidechain compression. This effect is most commonly found in electronic music, where when the kick drum hits, the rest... and i made a stripboard of it (not yet verified šŸ™‚ ) ![duck by sound bender](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/d/dcd5a63b35b6f06a89e78cdf54820434f7af0c74.png) ![duck by sound bender copie](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/d/dc252aefc40eaa9e3d5b1abc9846e43b2eed7ea6.png) ---
**Author:** ![CTorp](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/ctorp/32/15023_2.png) [@CTorp](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/CTorp)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 2:24pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/2 "2021-02-22T14:24:43Z")
What is the benefit over just using an inverted envelope on a vca? The page says less noise and distortion compared to vca but that seems like a stretch to me ---
**Author:** ![saint\_et\_moudulard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/saint_et_moudulard/32/12683_2.png) [@saint\_et\_moudulard](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/saint_et_moudulard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/3 "2021-02-22T16:19:28Z")
This is usefull to melt audio signal with the kick. Sorry for my english I can not good explain this with good words ---
**Author:** ![Jos](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jos/32/151_2.png) [@Jos](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Jos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/4 "2021-02-22T20:09:33Z")
I wonder why there are 4 diodes in the 2nd op-amp stage in the bottom of the schematic. In any case the last (connected to the 220R resistor) could be left out. The point where the 3 diodes meet will never get a negative voltage. ---
**Author:** ![Jos](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jos/32/151_2.png) [@Jos](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Jos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 8:16pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/5 "2021-02-22T20:16:29Z")
Pin 10 of the TL074 is the 3IN+, and it seems you have connected the D4 to that. That does not correspond with the drawing at the beginning of this thread. Are you sure you havenā€™t mixed up pin 9 (3IN-) and 10 (3IN+) ? [Edit] Never mind, I misread the schematic or the strip board! ---
**Author:** ![CTorp](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/ctorp/32/15023_2.png) [@CTorp](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/CTorp)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/6 "2021-02-22T20:20:21Z")
If you route a negative envelope that is triggered at the same time as your kick drum to your vca or filter cutoff of your bassline you get the exact same effect and with more control of the ā€œduckā€ duration and intensity ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/7 "2021-02-22T22:29:47Z")
yes but you can also make a kick drum with an vco + vcf+ env,vca , but if you have a kick module you can stay all this stuff for other thing šŸ™‚ thatā€™s why I think itā€™s good to have this kind of module but all this is personal > [@Jos](#): > > Pin 10 of the TL074 is the 3IN+, and it seems you have connected the D4 to that. That does not correspond with the drawing at the beginning of this thread. Are you sure you havenā€™t mixed up pin 9 (3IN-) and 10 (3IN+) ? i think itā€™s good, diode go to pin 10 with 1uf to gnd and also to 220R to decay pot, but iā€™m tired maybe a mistake i check this tomorrow, thx šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Jos](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jos/32/151_2.png) [@Jos](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Jos)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/8 "2021-02-22T22:53:25Z")
Yep, I see it now. I misread the schematic or the strip board. ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/9 "2021-02-22T23:15:49Z")
I built it this afternoon, I just need the 2 10uf power cap to test it. can I replace them with another value (higher or lower), I have already seen 47uf on certain circuit, but ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 11:30pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/10 "2021-02-22T23:30:56Z")
You can leave them out for the time being, or use 47 ĀµF. Theyā€™re to make things cleaner but theyā€™re not required to make it work. ---
**Author:** ![nschagen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@nschagen](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/nschagen)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/11 "2021-03-03T15:30:57Z")
Thanks for sharing! šŸ˜ I will need this in my modular system for sure. At first, I was thinking about building a full blown traditional compressor but this seems to do the job just fine! ---
**Author:** ![saint\_et\_moudulard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/saint_et_moudulard/32/12683_2.png) [@saint\_et\_moudulard](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/saint_et_moudulard)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2021, 11:16am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/12 "2021-04-03T11:16:29Z")
Hey I have build this sidechain effect on my breadboard (with the schematic from juanito moore) and it work fine with my kick ! Good pumping/ducking effect for technoā€™s lover ! And the kick can be directly mixed with the second audio source!! Here an another conception of a ducking filtrer, in this one I think that the kick signal must be independly multiplied into a mixer to do hear itā€¦ [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/5/b/5bec424e40d63278d2836bdcf0ecf1d2fefb2921.jpeg "Eurorack Ducking Filter") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB-1RpNCNV0) ---
**Author:** ![fredrik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/fredrik/32/682_2.png) [@fredrik](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/fredrik)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2021, 12:27pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/13 "2021-04-03T12:27:36Z")
> [@Jos](#): > > In any case the last (connected to the 220R resistor) could be left out. The point where the 3 diodes meet will never get a negative voltage. The current through it is low enough that it acts like a variable resistor (the voltage drop will vary depending on the potentiometer setting), but not entirely sure that matters here. ---
**Author:** ![SYNTHGUY57](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/synthguy57/32/14422_2.png) [@SYNTHGUY57](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/SYNTHGUY57)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2021, 6:41am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/14 "2021-04-04T06:41:57Z")
great explaintion an dvideo , fantastic outcome and project pat yurself on da back ---
**Author:** ![Jos](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jos/32/151_2.png) [@Jos](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Jos)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2021, 8:38am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/15 "2021-04-04T08:38:50Z")
If the 100k Ohm pot is ā€˜openedā€™, I think that would be academic. ---
**Author:** ![saint\_et\_moudulard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/saint_et_moudulard/32/12683_2.png) [@saint\_et\_moudulard](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/saint_et_moudulard)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 9:15pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/16 "2021-04-12T21:15:40Z")
Hey folks, With my new job I donā€™t have enough time for DIY, but I was still able to finish building this moduleā€¦ šŸ˜Œ ![IMG_20210412_230635](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/6/661ec132e8c20cbdef3cd44e4e0cc3bb3dc94ee2.jpeg) ![IMG_20210404_220641](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/8/8b9b602c96aee4264cee9cd30ee08cd5366b9a53.jpeg) This is my first test with an acrylic panel. (not easy to cut itā€¦) ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 11:54pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/17 "2021-04-12T23:54:36Z")
Nice ! have you test it ? work well ? ---
**Author:** ![AKS2346](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/aks2346/32/11458_2.png) [@AKS2346](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/AKS2346)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/18 "2021-04-14T22:55:55Z")
hey that was a great video. I really enjoyed it. Good technical info; complete story on the thing. Appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![jackb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/65b543/32.png) [@jackb](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jackb)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/19 "2021-09-20T16:37:37Z")
I turned this one in to a guitar stompbox this week for some friends who play in a band. First time getting a pcb made and really happy with the results. ![IMG_20210920_173323964~2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/8/a/8aa6ee55dee6d0d5c01666d9f05dcd8ae043ab4a.jpeg) ![IMG_20210920_173402675~2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/e/4/e4ac6045a5f5ab10a3563ce0032e738e788ee54f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![saint\_et\_moudulard](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/saint_et_moudulard/32/12683_2.png) [@saint\_et\_moudulard](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/saint_et_moudulard)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998/21 "2021-09-20T20:39:25Z")
really nice !! have you use the schematic of Juanito ?? [Next page](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/side-chain-module-ducking/2998.md?page=2)