SIDECHAIN COMPRESSION AND THE SONIC CONSTRUCTION OF GROOVE IN ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC

Abstract

This study investigates the role of lateral dynamics processing—specifically sidechain compression and ghost sidechaining—in shaping the sensation of groove within electronic dance music (EDM). While groove has traditionally been associated with micro-temporal variations in live performance, EDM producers often rely on dynamic manipulation to elicit physical responses from listeners. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from embodied music cognition, sensory-motor theory, and record production as musical practice, this research explores how compression techniques influence rhythmic clarity, amplitude modulation, and listener engagement. Through qualitative analysis of three representative tracks—Music Sounds Better with You by Stardust, Tea Leaf Dancers by Flying Lotus, and Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake—the study demonstrates how producers creatively use compression to construct groove beyond conventional rhythmic structures. Findings reveal that lateral dynamics processing is not merely a technical tool but a central aesthetic and expressive element in EDM production. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of groove as a sonic, embodied, and production-driven phenomenon, offering insights for music scholars, producers, and educators.