Fabfilter Pro-Q 3: Multichannel linking and surround sidechain EQ

Fabfilter Pro-Q 3 Try it →Watch full video →FabFilter · Jan 2026

Demo summary

The 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.

Step-by-step

Locate the multichannel linking knob in the sidechain section
Adjust the knob to determine channel independence (0% for independent, 50% for stereo pairs, 100% for all linked)
Click the button next to the knob to open the channel selection menu
Select specific channels to include in the link, such as LFE or center channels
Create an EQ band and right-click it
Select a specific surround channel (e.g., Rear Surrounds) to apply the sidechain EQ exclusively to that channel

Options

Link the center channel to front stereo channels via the dedicated button
Include or exclude Low Frequency Effects (LFE) from the link
Apply sidechain EQ to specific surround speakers like side surrounds or rear surrounds

Watch out for

Height channel options will be greyed out if they are not present in your current configuration

Tips

Set the linking knob to 12 o'clock or lower to compress drum channels individually while still dialing them in from one set of controls
Use a broad high-frequency boost on specific surround channels to make compression clamp down harder on room mic highs
Boost specific frequencies (e.g., 100Hz) on side surrounds to make compression react more aggressively to boomy toms

Highlights

“the comprehensive sidechain EQ options mean we have way more control over this than at first appears”

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

0:221:34Host-synced sidechain ducking in Pro-C 3The 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-Q 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-Q 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-Q 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-Q 3· AI Audio Editor
7:462:16Multichannel linking and surround sidechain EQCurrentThe 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-Q 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-Q 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-Q 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-Q 3· AI Mastering
Watch “Introduction to FabFilter Pro-C 3” →

AI Audio Editor

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
6:260:26Pinning Channels and Output MixingThe user demonstrates how to pin specific channels in the multi-track view and adjust output levels directly from the EQ interface.White Sea Studio
8:081:36Spectral Dynamics and Auto ThresholdThe video shows the new spectral dynamics feature in Pro-Q4, demonstrating how it creates multiple small bands for compression and uses the automatic threshold calculation.White Sea Studio
10:200:53Adjusting Dynamic EQ Attack and ReleaseThe user explores the advanced section of the dynamic EQ, adjusting the range, attack, and release percentages while observing the effect on the audio signal.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
12:161:05Drawing EQ CurvesThe user demonstrates the new freehand drawing tool to create custom EQ curves by clicking and dragging across the frequency spectrum.White Sea Studio
0:221:34Host-synced sidechain ducking in Pro-C 3The 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 EQCurrentThe 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
2:160:55Applying Spectral EQ with FabFilter Pro-Q 4The presenter demonstrates how to use the new spectral mode in Pro-Q 4 to lift the vocal presence while simultaneously taming harsh frequencies, similar to the functionality of Soothe.Streaky