Sidechain Timing Calculator
Calculate sidechain compressor timing from your track tempo for pumping bass effects.
Inputs
ms
%
Results
Cycle Length
468.75 ms
Release Time323.12 ms
Hold Time140.63 ms
Duty Cycle31.1%
Pumps per Bar (4/4)4
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter BPM, Beat Division, and Quarter note.
- Set Eighth note, Sixteenth note, and Attack Time.
- Adjust Hold Percentage, Release Shape as needed.
- Review the Cycle Length (ms) result.
- Use Release Time (ms) and Hold Time (ms) to inform your decision.
How the result changes with BPM
| BPM | Cycle Length |
|---|---|
| 66 | 909.09 ms |
| 131 | 458.02 ms |
| 209 | 287.08 ms |
| 274 | 218.98 ms |
What each input means
- BPM
- Tempo of the track in beats per minute.
- Beat Division
- Select the beat division
- Attack Time
- How quickly the compressor engages.
- Hold Percentage
- Percentage of the cycle to hold maximum compression.
- Release Shape
- Select the release shape
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersBPM = 128, Beat Division = 1, Attack Time = 5, Hold Percentage = 30 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Cycle LengthCycle Length = 0468.75 = 468.75
- Calculate Release TimeRelease Time = 0323.12 = 323.12
- Calculate Hold TimeHold Time = 0140.63 = 140.63
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.
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