Fabfilter Pro-C 3: Host-synced sidechain ducking in Pro-C 3

Fabfilter Pro-C 3 Try it →Watch full video →

FabFilter·Jan 2026

Demo summary

The narrator demonstrates how to use the new Host Sync feature to create rhythmic ducking on a pad sound without an external trigger, adjusting threshold, ratio, and the new curvy Range slider.

Step-by-step

Switch the sidechain input to 'Key' from the external sidechain input
Select 'Host Sync' to enable rhythmic ducking without an external trigger
Choose a beat division (e.g., four-to-the-floor) or scale the tempo arbitrarily
Adjust the Threshold and Ratio to control the ducking intensity
Use the curvy Range slider to set a limit on the maximum ducking depth
Adjust Attack and Release to shape the ducking curve

Options

Scale the tempo arbitrarily for polyrhythmic effects
Switch between compression styles like 'Pumping' or 'Vari-Mu'
Increase the Hold time to create a pause before release
Increase the duration of the trigger signal

Tips

Use Host Sync to avoid the need for creating a dummy kick drum track
Use the Pumping style if you want the release shape to deliberately call attention to itself
Adjust the release specifically to control the overall shape of the ducking

Highlights

“it's right there already, no need to faff”

All demos from “Introduction to FabFilter Pro-C 3”

0:221:34Host-synced sidechain ducking in Pro-C 3CurrentThe narrator demonstrates how to use the new Host Sync feature to create rhythmic ducking on a pad sound without an external trigger, adjusting threshold, ratio, and the new curvy Range slider.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Audio Editor
2:311:39MIDI triggering and Character saturation modesThe demo shows routing MIDI from a kick drum to trigger compression on a bass part, followed by a walkthrough of the new Tube and Diode saturation flavors in the Character tab.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Audio Editor
4:101:20Multiband processing with TTM style and Sidechain EQThe narrator applies the new TTM (To The Max) style to a drum bus and demonstrates the improved sidechain EQ with up to six bands to control frequency-specific compression thresholds.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Mastering
5:551:06Using Auto Threshold on guitar transientsThe demo shows the new Auto Threshold feature which allows the compressor to catch peaks relative to average levels, demonstrated on a guitar DI signal with Diode character saturation.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Audio Editor
7:462:16Multichannel linking and surround sidechain EQThe narrator demonstrates the new multichannel linking knob on an 8-channel drum setup, showing how to link or unlink specific channels and apply sidechain EQ to specific surround speakers.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Audio Editor
10:531:46Comparing Smooth, TTM, and Op-El stylesA side-by-side demonstration of the Smooth, TTM, and vintage Op-El compression styles on a drum bus to show different sonic textures and distortion levels.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Mastering
12:392:21Mix bus compression and Mid/Side sidechain EQThe narrator demonstrates transparent glue using Smooth style and vintage character using Vari-Mu on a mix bus, including a technique to unlink stereo compression using a side-channel notch filter.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Mastering
15:052:41Upward compression for stereo widthThe demo shows how to use the new Upward compression style on a pad sound's side channel to increase stereo width, while explaining the importance of the Range limit and lookahead.Fabfilter Pro-C 3· AI Mastering
Watch “Introduction to FabFilter Pro-C 3” →

AI Audio Editor

0:221:34Host-synced sidechain ducking in Pro-C 3CurrentThe narrator demonstrates how to use the new Host Sync feature to create rhythmic ducking on a pad sound without an external trigger, adjusting threshold, ratio, and the new curvy Range slider.FabFilter
2:311:39MIDI triggering and Character saturation modesThe demo shows routing MIDI from a kick drum to trigger compression on a bass part, followed by a walkthrough of the new Tube and Diode saturation flavors in the Character tab.FabFilter
5:551:06Using Auto Threshold on guitar transientsThe demo shows the new Auto Threshold feature which allows the compressor to catch peaks relative to average levels, demonstrated on a guitar DI signal with Diode character saturation.FabFilter
7:462:16Multichannel linking and surround sidechain EQThe narrator demonstrates the new multichannel linking knob on an 8-channel drum setup, showing how to link or unlink specific channels and apply sidechain EQ to specific surround speakers.FabFilter
1:481:13Testing Saturation Modes in FabFilter Pro-Q4The user demonstrates the new 'Clean', 'Subtle', and 'Warm' saturation modes in FabFilter Pro-Q4 by applying an extreme EQ curve to audio and switching between the algorithms.White Sea Studio
4:430:42Multi-track EQ Editing in Pro-Q4The demonstrator shows how to view and edit multiple EQ instances (like Bass and Drums) simultaneously within a single FabFilter Pro-Q4 interface using the new track selection feature.White Sea Studio
11:260:31External Band Side-chainingThe demonstrator shows how to make a dynamic EQ band respond to a different frequency range (side-chaining) within FabFilter Pro-Q4.White Sea Studio