Audio Sidechain for VST Plugins

Provide the capability to sidechain with VST effects, currently sidechaining is only possible using Resolve's Dynamics effect.

Suggestion:
1) Provide sidechain inputs for each track that any other track in the project can send to.
2) Route the track's sidechain signal to the sidechain inputs for all VSTs (with sidechain capabilities) inserted on the track.
3) Setting a VST to "external sidechain" will use the track's sidechain signal.

Example:
Track 1: Create a send to Track 2 Sidechain
Track 2: Add a VST compressor and set it to "external sidechain". The VST will compress Track 2 using Track 1 as the sidechain.

Thank you!

+1 this, it's so frustrating not having it

Mixer overhaul in general would be very nice.

Mixer overhaul in general would be very nice.

Agreed! VST sidechaining is my top audio priority, but the mixer really does need an overhaul too.

+1

I guess I don't use Fairlight enough because I just (sillily) assumed that side-chaning capability was a given (in pretty much ANY multitrack capable DAW).

Technically there IS sidechaining but only using Resolve's dynamics effect and not for VST plugins. And from what I can tell (I'm relatively new to Resolve myself) you only get one track to use for sidechaining.

I came from Vegas Pro which didn't have sidechaining and that was a major annoyance. When I was looking at other video editors and found Resolve, I got excited when I saw that it had sidechaining....then I became less excited when I tried to use it. It's there just barely enough to put it in their feature list, but it's extremely limited and clunky.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's like Resolve learned to run before it learned to crawl. They can implement all of these incredible mind-blowing features like AI tracking and masking that seems like magic, brilliant color effects, and yet it doesn't do simple tasks correctly that practically every other editor has been able to do for years. Resolve has so much to offer, but simple things like this really hold it back IMO.

Agree 100%. Technology can only overshadow usability issues for so long. Lots of people stay with their trusted DAWs for years living without the latest and greatest features due to familiarity, which is sometimes equated to usability. But missing (basic) functionality is another issue altogether. I do believe BMD is beginning to pay more attention to these types of issues though.

I do believe BMD is beginning to pay more attention to these types of issues though.

I hope so. I was really looking forward to v18 to see what updates would be done in the Edit page (where my major complaints are) but it was neglected entirely in the v18 beta. These basic tasks need to be rock solid, not tacked on as an afterthought.

Coming as a 6 year power user of FL Studio, i wish they had a mixer similar to theirs.

But i also still need to get used to the different workflows of resolve.

Coming as a 6 year power user of FL Studio, i wish they had a mixer similar to theirs.

But i also still need to get used to the different workflows of resolve.

+1

+1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This would be good.

Sidechain for VST's. Yes. Please.

+1 VST sidechain would be HUGE.

Heard a few other audio post people recently who just realized this option are were completely bummed out.

Unhappy with how Fairlight's built-in compressor was performing, I pulled in my trusty Pro-C2 (because I wanted lookahead) and fumbled around trying to figure out how to sidechain it. I thought for sure sidechaining with VSTs was possible by now -- I'd have lost that bet!

It's a shame not all the Fabfilters have the ability to sidechain to each other without need to use the DAWs sidechain. Pro Q3 allows audio from one instance to send to another for sidechain use for example.

DDMF Metaplugin VST has a feature called 'SendIt' and that allows audio from one metaplugin to send to another metaplugin instance on another track/bus. I use that a bit. I'm sure there's other VST sidechain solutions out there too for hosts that don't natively have sidechaining ability.

Just in case anyone stumbles on this in a search looking for VST side-chaining. This is a way to do it with Metaplugin. Luckily DDMF still include their old Sendit plugin from years ago when it was more common problem to be working in VST hosts without sidechain functionality. You just set one to sidechain track fx (passthrough if you are including the sidechain audio in the output mix too obviously). Then host your VST that needs a sidechain in Metaplugin with a Sidechain loaded to receive the sidechain on that channel.

Just in case anyone stumbles on this in a search looking for VST side-chaining. This is a way to do it with Metaplugin. Luckily DDMF still include their old Sendit plugin from years ago when it was more common problem to be working in VST hosts without sidechain functionality. You just set one to sidechain track fx (passthrough if you are including the sidechain audio in the output mix too obviously). Then host your VST that needs a sidechain in Metaplugin with a Sidechain loaded to receive the sidechain on that channel.

The free StudioRack from Waves can do the same:
https://www.waves.com/plugins/studiorack#image

Just in case anyone stumbles on this in a search looking for VST side-chaining. This is a way to do it with Metaplugin. Luckily DDMF still include their old Sendit plugin from years ago when it was more common problem to be working in VST hosts without sidechain functionality. You just set one to sidechain track fx (passthrough if you are including the sidechain audio in the output mix too obviously). Then host your VST that needs a sidechain in Metaplugin with a Sidechain loaded to receive the sidechain on that channel.

This Metaplugin thing is cool since it practically makes Fairlight a sort of node based routing system where your plugins and channels are the nodes and you can connect them however you want.

I wish Resolve had at least built-in plugin-level patching available, instead of only allowing you to patch tracks. But until then (if ever), this looks like a great tool if you want to avoid round-trips between Resolve and another DAW.

Thanks for the tip!

There's several out there in the vst hosting vsts. Plogue Bidule probably the most powerful, I personally prefer Krushview Element. There's Bluecat Patchwork. If you're wanting to use a second computer to do the VST processing then Audiogridder is very good. I've used that for live work where I don't want to bounce the VSTs to audio, that way you can have a second computer just do some heavy VST lifting, but view the plugin from the DAW.
https://audiogridder.com/

The free StudioRack from Waves can do the same:
https://www.waves.com/plugins/studiorack#image

Cool, didn't know that could do sidechaining between tracks. I generally steer clear from Waves as always heavy on GUI imo.

There's several out there in the vst hosting vsts. Plogue Bidule probably the most powerful, I personally prefer Krushview Element. There's Bluecat Patchwork. If you're wanting to use a second computer to do the VST processing then Audiogridder is very good. I've used that for live work where I don't want to bounce the VSTs to audio, that way you can have a second computer just do some heavy VST lifting, but view the plugin from the DAW.
https://audiogridder.com/

That's a good list to know!

I already bought Metaplugin and it works well in Resolve 18 on my Macbook M1. Although, if you load the plugins via Metaplugin, their UIs are a bit slow when playing back, but I think the routing and all other advantages you have with this system are worth it.

The free StudioRack from Waves can do the same:
https://www.waves.com/plugins/studiorack#image

Cool, didn't know that could do sidechaining between tracks. I generally steer clear from Waves as always heavy on GUI imo.

I tried StudioRack and I couldn't find a way to route audio between sidechained plugins from other tracks.

I tried StudioRack and I couldn't find a way to route audio between sidechained plugins from other tracks.

You're right. Sorry for the bad tip.

I thought StudioRack could do that. I recently installed it for exactly that reason.
I hope Blackmagic adds Sidechaning natively.

DDMF is on Black Friday sale right now for $35.40 instead of $60. I was considering getting this before when I was using Vegas (which also doesn't have sidechaining), but ultimately decided against it at $60.

If BMD isn't planning on adding VST sidechaning anytime soon, then this might be the best option. Plus DDMF also provides oversampling for plugins that don't provide internal oversampling.

Be aware, I'm not sure if the SendIt plugin is still included in Metaplugin V4. It certainly isn't in the version I've downloaded to update, but haven't explored if DDMF are doing it directly from the MetaPlugin instead now.

Be aware, I'm not sure if the SendIt plugin is still included in Metaplugin V4. It certainly isn't in the version I've downloaded to update, but haven't explored if DDMF are doing it directly from the MetaPlugin instead now.

Oh wow, you are correct. I just downloaded the latest demo and it does not include SendIt. I can't find anything on their website about this and the pdf file included with the demo mentions SendIt as though it should be included. I just sent them an email asking about this. Glad I hadn't purchased it yet in case this is no longer working because sidechaining is the only reason I'd need Metaplugin.

+1000 on vst side chaining. Would like to use FabFilter ProC2 and all its features inside DaVinci Resolve.

Be aware, I'm not sure if the SendIt plugin is still included in Metaplugin V4. It certainly isn't in the version I've downloaded to update, but haven't explored if DDMF are doing it directly from the MetaPlugin instead now.

Oh wow, you are correct. I just downloaded the latest demo and it does not include SendIt. I can't find anything on their website about this and the pdf file included with the demo mentions SendIt as though it should be included. I just sent them an email asking about this. Glad I hadn't purchased it yet in case this is no longer working because sidechaining is the only reason I'd need Metaplugin.

I just heard back from them and SendIt is now built into Metaplugin as an internal module and it is no longer a separate plugin. There is slightly more setup now as you have to route the inputs to the SendIt module inside of Metaplugin instead of just adding SendIt as its own plugin, but it's not too bad.

Unfortunately, I'm getting pops and clicks in Resolve (both the new internal SendIt module and the old SendIt plugin) when trying to use SendIt and increasing the buffer of my audio interface (Audient iD14) doesn't help. It works fine in my old editor Vegas Pro still, so this is something specific to Resolve. I am still on the 18 Beta and haven't updated yet, I'll back everything up and update to the latest version before I start a separate post asking about this problem. I want to make sure everything works before purchasing it, only a few days left on the Black Friday sale (ends on the 5th).

+1000 on vst side chaining. Would like to use FabFilter ProC2 and all its features inside DaVinci Resolve.

Yes, exactly! And FabFilter ProMB and FabFilter Pro-Q3 too for multiband dynamics, which isn't possible at all in Resolve.

DDMF Metaplugin is kind of a workaround, although certainly not ideal. There is a noticeable delay when using SendIt, which limits how fast the sidechained compressor can react. When ducking background music or sounds, I want a fast attack to get the background sounds ducked out of the way immediately. Hopefully BMD will implement proper VST sidechaining soon.

bumping this!
We really need thsi feature please Backmagic!

THanks!

Bump

Please add Side Chaining for external plugIns.

+1 to adding sidechaining for VST plugins!

Didn't Blackmagic suggest side-chaining was around the corner 6 years ago? lol

hoping they implement this sooner rather than later.

bump

Didn't Blackmagic suggest side-chaining was around the corner 6 years ago? lol

hoping they implement this sooner rather than later.

Resolve does technically have sidechaining... but only for its dynamics processor and only one track can be used for the sidechain signal. It's extremely limited. Resolve lacking this one feature makes rendering all the audio out and round-tripping to another DAW a better option for me instead of staying completely inside Resolve.

Yes! We need this! The ability to sidechain a third party plugin such as Waves F6 to have greater control over the mix between music and dialogue would be a huge win.

Didn't Blackmagic suggest side-chaining was around the corner 6 years ago? lol

hoping they implement this sooner rather than later.

Resolve does technically have sidechaining... but only for its dynamics processor and only one track can be used for the sidechain signal. It's extremely limited. Resolve lacking this one feature makes rendering all the audio out and round-tripping to another DAW a better option for me instead of staying completely inside Resolve.

How do you roundtrip effectively to an other DAW? I always tend to export an xml, open in Premier and from there aaf or omf...
+1 for sidchaining vsts. I was currently trying do sidechain the low frequencies of the music track when vocals are active.

How do you roundtrip effectively to an other DAW? I always tend to export an xml, open in Premier and from there aaf or omf...

AAF straight from DaVinci.
OMF is an old protocol that you no longer need.

Using Premiere is not a good idea.

How do you roundtrip effectively to an other DAW? I always tend to export an xml, open in Premier and from there aaf or omf...

Effectively?... I don't. My DAW Reaper doesn't support AAF or OMF natively (users have written scripts for this, but I haven't tried them yet), so basically just export individual audio tracks out from Resolve and load them into Reaper, then export the final mix and load it back into Resolve. I used to have to do this kind of stuff with Melodyne before ARA and it would be nice if I didn't have to do it again with Resolve.

+1 for sidchaining vsts. I was currently trying do sidechain the low frequencies of the music track when vocals are active.

Yes, there is no way to do multiband sidechaining in Resolve. I've got a lot of VSTs which I'd love to be able to use for this purpose, but cannot.

+1 from me also

I consider this as critical lacking feature in Fairlight.

Also s.c. "Listen" channel shoud be avalable to all VST3 plugins, not exclusively for dyn section inside fairlight. So complete routability for both primary and sidechain audio AND complete routability to all channels and buses please!

-tso

Yes please impliment this - It's a fundimental need and is why though I really like Fairlight's approach and would use it, I'm still doing post sound in Pro Tools.

Please, Blackmagic, add this sidechain feature for VST plugins. Thank you.

PLEASE, Blackmagic, add this sidechain feature for VST plugins. Thank you.

I was hoping for this in 18.5 (fingers crossed we get it in 19). Please

+1

I was hoping for this in 18.5

Same.

And maybe I'm asking too much... but Reaper allows for multiple sidechain channels on a single track and each plugin has a routing matrix where you can select which channel to use as its sidechain input. I just put this to use in a project where I rendered audio out of Resolve to edit/mix in Reaper.

In Reaper I was able to use two compressors on the background music track to duck the music in a different way based on whether there was spoken dialog or a sound effect. The sound effect only ducked the mid channel leaving the side information of the music intact while the dialog ducked everything to make the dialog sit completely on top of the music so it was clearly audible.

If Resolve had sidechaining like this, that would be incredible!

+1

I desperately want to use Izotope Neutron 4's clever and incredibly effective Unmasking Module in Fairlight but it requires sidechaining for this VST plug-in to work. Accordingly, I add my request and hope that BMD will see fit to make VST sidechaing work in Fairlight, like it does in virtually every other serious DAW. Thank you!

Has anyone noted whether latest Resolve/Fairlight updates (18.6) have now made it possible to create sidechains for and with VST plugins?

Have been continuing to use an older 18.4 version of Studio, hesitating to update to latest 18.6 in middle of a large job, but am wondering if anyone has been able to test 18.6 for this functionality - my curiosit piqued by this in the release notes:

"Support for parallel bus sends and outputs with up to three per bus tile."

Thanks in advance for any insight anyone can offer. Best, Tom

The "Support for parallel bus sends and outputs with up to three per bus tile" item in the release notes refers to the ability to feed multiple destination Busses from a single Send tile in the Fairlight Mixer - with a maximum of three destinations per tile.

Command click the Bus Send or Bus Output tile to select multiple Destination Busses in the drop-down menu.