An improved method and apparatus for controlling the voice channels in sound processors includes: programming a first voice channel to instruct a second voice channel to execute an event when a trigger condition occurs; determining by the first voice channel that the trigger condition has occurred; and instructing the second voice channel to execute the event by the first voice channel. Thus, the need for the CPU to properly time the programmer's desired voice processing events is reduced by having the voice channels themselves be pre-instructed to control another voice channel(s) upon meeting a certain trigger condition. Chains of voice channels are possible and can be as simple or complex as desired. Accurate channel-to-channel event timing is thus possible. Since no interrupts or the polling of status registers is needed, the demands on CPU resources are reduced. System bus bandwidth is also freed for the use of other system components.