11) Extra Insights in to HiFAL
HiFAL includes an external sidechain input, labeled EXT at the top of the plugin. This lets you patch in an external signal to control the key input of both the main and parallel limiter.
When active, the EXT side-chain replaces the input as the trigger for compression. Gain reduction follows the filter settings and is applied in response to the external signal. This lets you use techniques like instrument ducking to unmask one track, apply frequency-based shaping, or create side-chain-driven midrange spacing.
How It Works:
The main compressor tracks the filtered dynamics of the external signal, mirroring the filter settings.
The parallel limiter applies compression to the chosen frequency band, using the filtered side-chain signal.
Using EXT on HiFAL opens up some extremely powerful and creative possibilities. While built primarily as a mastering processor, HiFAL—like all Schwabe Digital plugins also has use in mixing and sound design.
In Practice:
Printing Stems: print a copy of the mix with all processing just before your HiFAL insert on your master fader, but nothing after it. Then, bypass HiFAL and make a mix print. Put that mix print on a track, and send it to the external input of HiFAL. Now, every stem you print will have the same high frequency limiting as your mix.
Track Spacer: Place HiFAL on the music bus, and trigger it from the vocal using the EXT side-chain. Focus the processor on the vocal presence range between 1–5 kHz and apply Acceleration Limiting to the Mid channel. The vocal will gently push the presence frequencies out of the way, making the vocal appear louder and more forward in the mix without changing the vocal level.
Effects Ducker: Place HiFAL on a vocal effects return, and again trigger it from the pre-fader dry vocal. Focus the processor between 1–5 kHz range and apply limiting. The vocal will push the reverb out of the way in a transparent and musical way, clearing space while keeping the decay of the wet signal intact.
This is just the beginning of possibilities for external side-chain processing. Dig into it more and let us know how you are using it.
Be well,
Ryan Schwabe
Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum mixing & mastering engineer
Founder of Schwabe Digital
