Home Tech Best Sidechain VST Plugins for Music Production 2024
Best Sidechain VST Plugins for Music Production 2024
Cableguys- VolumeShaper 7
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Best Sidechain VST Plugins for Music Production 2024

Home Tech Best Sidechain VST Plugins for Music Production 2024

Sidechain compression is a crucial aspect of music production. In this article, we will explore some of the best sidechain VST plugins available, including those from FabFilter, Cableguys, and more. So, let’s delve into it!

Ensuring every sound has its place to breathe and stand out, is key in mixing a song. Use EQs, compressors, reverb, delays, and distortion tools to achieve richer-sounding sounds and more clarity in your mix. Compressors are mostly used to change the sound’s envelope and volume. Sidechain is a form of compression that allows you to duck the incoming volume, to make room for a different sound to shine through, and to get a better result. There are plenty of ways to sidechain a sound with each unique characteristic. We have compiled a list of the best sidechain VST plugins you can utilize in your music production & mixing process.

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Here are the Best Sidechain VST Plugins in 2024:

  1. FabFilter Pro-C 2
  2. Waves Factory- Trackspacer 
  3. Devious Machines- Duck
  4. W.A. Production- Dodge Pro 
  5. Cableguys- VolumeShaper 7
  6. Venomode- DeeQ
  7. BLEASS Compressor

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1. FabFilter Pro-C 2:

FabFilter’s Pro C2 has been designed to change the appearance of traditional compressors. Every detail of this plugin has been visualized to help you see the incoming waveforms. The essential controls, including Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release, are included for easy access. Additionally, this VST plugin features a new Sidechain option that allows you to adjust specific frequencies using the EQ.

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2. Waves Factory- Trackspacer :

Trackspacer, a sidechain VST plugin by Waves Factory, allows you to shape every sound to your liking. This award-nominated plugin creates space in your mix by dynamically carving out the frequencies that the main track requires from another track in real time. Unlike traditional multiband sidechain processors, Trackspacer offers greater transparency.

Instead of using conventional EQ methods, Trackspacer analyzes the incoming sidechain signal and applies a 32-band EQ to the main track. This results in a smoother and clearer mix, making it ideal for kick and bass separation and enhancing vocal clarity over busy instrumentals. With its user-friendly interface, transparency, and precision, Trackspacer is one of the most highly recommended plugins.

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3. Devious Machines- Duck:

Devious Machines’ Duck offers 8 preset curves and 58 duck patches. It allows you to draw your own curves and rhythms to use or save, or to use Duck as a multiband compressor for treating either the low or high end. In addition to sidechain compression, Duck is capable of trance gating, tremolo effects, and any other volume manipulation you can think of. For additional control, you can enable split-band mode and adjust the separate low- and high-frequency settings. Duck can be triggered by audio from a sidechain input or by MIDI notes, making it easier for every producer. This versatility is why it is considered one of the best sidechain compressors available in 2024.

The Crossover – The crossover allows you to process the high and low frequencies of your music separately.

Lookahead – If you are triggering Duck using audio or midi, rather than using the LFO, you can clean up your audio and avoid unwanted clicks with Lookahead.

Gated Reverb with Audio Triggering – Duck has audio input-based triggering. This, in conjunction with the Lookahead feature, makes it perfect for the precise designing of gated reverb-style sounds. Just place the Duck after the reverb on your drum sound, select plugin input from the trigger mode menu in the bottom right, adjust the trigger level, curve, shape and look ahead settings until you get your desired gating effect

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4. W.A. Production- Dodge Pro :

Dodge Pro has been pushing the boundaries with sidechain ducking functions, rhythmic motifs, gated rhythms, and special effects. Use its presets to get an instant pumping sound, or let the plugin surprise you with randomization. The feedback visualizer allows you to control every detail.

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5. Cableguys- VolumeShaper 7:

VolumeShaper 7’s unique level manipulation toolset. It’s fast and easy to use but packed with power, with a drawable volume LFO that’s triggered by beats, MIDI or audio transients across 3 frequency bands. Work at the speed of inspiration with intuitive editing, pro presets, 1-click sidechain ducking and much more.

Running inside Cableguys’ ShaperBox 3 effects plugin, use VolumeShaper on its own or with other Shapers — they all work in the same way, stacking up to create elaborate, multilayered effects that’ll make your productions stand out.

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6. Venomode- DeeQ:

DeeQ is a single-band dynamic EQ filter that automatically adjusts the parameters of the EQ based on the incoming envelope or an external sidechain. With DeeQ you can do everything from small adjustments like making room in the mix, to creative wah type effects. It is a sidechain plugin that helps to enhance your creativity and clear mix at the same time.

Features:

  1. Dynamic EQ
  2. Sidechain Detection
  3. Mid/Side
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7. BLEASS Compressor:

The BLEASS Compressor is a versatile dynamics engine, making it suitable for various situations. With compression ratios of up to 60:1, a variable knee, and adjustable attack and release times, the BLEASS Compressor offers a wide range of response characteristics. Its flexibility is further enhanced by a powerful dual filter that processes the analyzed signal, providing both low-pass and high-pass filtering. These filters affect both the internal and sidechain signals, and they are resonant as well, making it easy to create dynamic effects that are highly dependent on frequency. Bleass compressor is one of the best sidechain plugins you can get to enhance the clarity of your mix.

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Read Next:

1. Best VST Audio Plugins in 2024 

2. Best Delay VST Plugins in 2024: Reddit Edition

3. Best Wavetable Synth VST Plugins in 2024



Tags: Sidechain, VST Plugins, Fabfilter

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