Why Sidechain is Essential in Goa Trance
In Goa Trance and Psytrance production, the bassline is rolling, hypnotic, and non-stop. Without proper sidechain, your kick drum will clash with the bass, creating a muddy low end and weak energy.
With sidechain, you:
Give the kick more punch and clarity
Keep the bassline tight and consistent
Add the signature movement and groove to your track
3 Ways to Create Sidechain in Ableton Live
1. Using Trackspacer (Recommended)
Trackspacer is a powerful plugin that ducks specific frequencies of your bass every time the kick hits. It’s very transparent and works perfectly with complex Goa bass patterns.
Pros: Exact, quick setup, clean results
Cons: Paid plugin
You can buy Trackspacer here : LINK
2. Advanced Sidechain Rack (FREE Download)
For producers without Trackspacer, I’ve created a custom Ableton Audio Effect Rack. This rack splits the bass into Low and Mid/High frequency ranges:
The low range is ducked more strongly to leave room for the kick
The mid/high range is ducked slightly, so the bass keeps its presence
Download the free Sidechain Rack here:
JLS SIDECHAIN RACK
This method gives you much more control than a standard compressor and is especially useful for Goa and Psytrance kick & bass mixes.
3. Simple Compressor Sidechain
The most common technique: Ableton’s Compressor with sidechain input from the kick.
While it’s quick and effective, it’s not always enough for rolling basslines, but it’s a great starting point.
Video Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide
Watch my full YouTube tutorial where I show all three sidechain methods in action:
Free Download: Sidechain Rack for Ableton
As promised, you can grab my custom Sidechain Rack for free on Patreon:
GET FREE RACK
This rack is designed specifically for Goa Trance basslines but works great in Psytrance, Techno, or any electronic genre with heavy kick & bass interaction.
Final Thoughts
Mastering sidechain is one of the most important steps in professional Goa Trance production.
Whether you use Trackspacer, my custom Ableton rack, or just a simple compressor, the key is making sure your kick and bass complement each other instead of fighting for space.
Try these techniques in your next track and let me know which one gives you the best results!
