FabFilter User Forum
Feature request: Dynamic S/C control from within an instance list
I use a lot of side chain frequency ducking in complex mixes, and it would be really useful for me to be able to allocate and set up side chain triggers to and from different Q4s within the instance list, without having to back out to use the DAW's routing. Is that something that others would want, and would it be easy to implement if so?
Mark Russell — Feb 5, 2026
Hi Mark,
This is a cool idea, but more complex than it sounds. And I'm afraid currently not possible.
The instance list actually only accesses the interface of the other plug-in. It does not get any of the audio data. So we can't send audio directly from one plug-in to another without going through the host.
The instance list also can not adjust or access the side-chain settings that are available in the header of the plug-in wrapper. These are really controls of the DAW, and this is simply not available to the plug-in. We either get passed on a side-chain signal if it is provided, or we don't get a side-chain signal.
Maybe in the future, if the DAWs wil implement more features, it might be possible.