What attack time should I use for sidechain?

For a punchy kick-driven sidechain, start with a 1/32 or 1/16 note attack so the kick transient is not squashed. A slower attack (1/8 note) lets more of the initial signal through before compression kicks in.

What release time gives the classic house-music pump?

A 1/4-note release at 125 BPM equals 480 ms — the compressor lets the pad fully recover on the next beat, creating the signature pump. Adjust down to a 1/8 note for a faster, tighter snap.

Why sync compressor times to BPM?

Random ms values can cause the volume envelope to fall out of phase with the beat, producing a flamming or rushing effect. BPM-synced values keep the pumping feel rhythmically locked to the groove.

What is a dotted note value?

A dotted note is 1.5 times the base note duration. A dotted 1/8 note equals three 1/16 notes. Dotted values are useful for syncopated or swing-feel pumping effects.

What is a triplet note value?

A triplet divides the parent note into three equal parts instead of two. A 1/4-note triplet = 2/3 of a beat. Triplet release times give a shuffled, rolling pump that sits well in funk or hip-hop.

Does lookahead affect these calculations?

Lookahead shifts the compressor response ahead of the transient, effectively shortening the perceived attack. If your compressor has lookahead, you may add the lookahead ms to your calculated attack time to compensate.

Sidechain Compressor Timing Calculator

Name: Sidechain Compressor Timing Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter your BPM and pick note-value presets to get BPM-synced attack and release times in milliseconds for your sidechain compressor.

Sidechain Timing Inputs

Project BPM

BPM

Range: 20 – 300 BPM

Attack Note Value

Release Note Value

Selected Timings

Attack

—

Release

—

Quarter note (1 beat) duration: — ms

Full Note Value Reference Table

Enter BPM and click Calculate to populate the table.

Note Value	Beats	Milliseconds

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Summary

Enter your BPM and pick note-value presets to get BPM-synced attack and release times in milliseconds for your sidechain compressor.

How it works

Enter the BPM of your project in the BPM field.
Select an attack note value from the preset list (e.g. 1/16 note).
Select a release note value (e.g. 1/4 note for a classic pumping release).
The tool calculates the duration of one beat (quarter note) from the BPM.
Each note value is computed as the appropriate fraction or multiple of a beat.
Read the millisecond values and type them directly into your compressor plugin.

Use cases

Sync a kick-drum sidechain compressor to the tempo for pumping house music.
Set a short, tight attack in ms so the kick transient punches through.
Calculate a 1/4-note release to let a pad swell back in time with the beat.
Compare multiple note values side-by-side before deciding on a setting.
Convert any BPM to a full note-value table for manual reference.
Dial in rhythmic gating effects on synths, pads, or guitars.
Verify existing compressor settings are musically in time with the project.
Use dotted or triplet note values for more organic, swing-feel pumping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed by Nham Vu