Ducking
Definition
A technique using sidechain compression to automatically reduce the level of one signal when another is present. Most commonly used to lower music volume when dialogue or voiceover appears, or to create space in a mix for a lead element.
In Simple Terms
Automatically lowering one sound when another appears — like background music dropping when the podcast host starts talking. Set it up once with sidechain compression and it works hands-free for the whole session.
In Practice
In a podcast mix, background music is routed through a compressor with the host's voice on the sidechain. Every time the host speaks, the music ducks slightly beneath the dialogue automatically.