MIDI SIDE CHAINER — HOW IT WORKS

The MIDI Side Chainer is a Max for Live device designed to bring true side-chain-style ducking to external hardware synths. Instead of using audio to trigger gain reduction, the device listens for a MIDI note or trigger and translates that into real-time CC7 (volume) automation — giving hardware instruments the same pumping, rhythmic movement you’d normally only get inside Ableton.

Why this device exists

Most analog and digital hardware synths map patch volume to MIDI CC7. In theory, that makes it possible to “fake” a side-chain effect by sending CC7 dips every time a kick, trigger, or rhythmic note occurs.

But in practice, it’s messy.

If you simply send CC7 dips manually:

• the synth’s volume doesn’t return cleanly to its previous value
• multiple incoming MIDI messages can leak through to the synth
• the dynamics feel inconsistent and unpredictable
• you end up building complicated filter chains just to keep unwanted notes out

This device was created to solve all of those problems in one simple, musical tool.

What it actually does

When a MIDI note (from a kick, a drum trigger, or any clip you choose) hits the device, it:

1. Ducks your external synth’s volume down to a defined minimum (via CC7).
2. Releases back up to your synth’s actual live volume, not a fixed value.
3. Repeats this continuously, acting like a classic side-chain compressor — but purely in MIDI.

It runs on four essential controls:

• Attack – how quickly the volume dips
• Release – how smoothly it returns
• Min – how deep the duck goes
• Max – the ceiling the volume returns to
  (The device constantly reads & maintains the synth’s current level, which is the secret to keeping everything sounding natural.)

Filtered + Clean MIDI by default

Hardware rigs can be chaotic, especially live. If other MIDI messages travel down the same path, synths often interpret them as notes, patch changes, or unwanted parameter jumps.

To make it safe for stage and studio, the Side Chainer includes:

• MIDI Thru ON/OFF toggle
• Filtering that removes all incoming and outgoing messages except the required CC7 data

This means you can confidently feed it anything — a drummer's trigger pad, a side-chain clip, a modular gate — without worrying about stray MIDI leaking into your synth.

How it fits into a real workflow

The most common setup (and how it’s used live):

• Create a dedicated MIDI track in Ableton for side-chain triggers
• Route your kick or trigger source into that track
• Place the MIDI Side Chainer on that track
• Send the device’s output directly to the hardware synth you want to duck

You can also use it entirely in-the-box with virtual instruments if you just prefer MIDI-driven ducking over audio-based compression.

Simple by design

We explored adding menus for track selection and routing, but during real-world touring use, the simplest approach proved the most reliable:

• One clear trigger input
• One clean CC7 output
• No extra routing complexity
• A straightforward UI inspired by Ableton’s compressor

This keeps the device fast, stable, and immediately usable by anyone familiar with Ableton.

Built by two creators

Concept & live-tour testing:
upsidedownhead

Max for Live development:Bass Jansson

We developed it originally as a private touring tool — now cleaned up, tested for stability, and offered to anyone wanting side-chain movement for hardware synths.

************COMPATIBILITY**********

• Ableton Live 10/11/12 only.
• Must own Live Suite or own Max for Live 8.1.11 and up.
• How to check if it will work with your synth? CHECK THIS ->https://youtu.be/dOiNA7MOgtw