Cableguys Kickstart

Sometimes the simplest tools are the most useful ones. Sidechain compression is an essential technique in nearly every modern dance music track, and while it has traditionally been accomplished by employing use of a compressor, modern plugins have been designed with the sole purpose of sidechain compression in mind.

These plugins make it a lot easier for entry level producers to visualize how the sidechain envelope will affect their track. Cableguys’ Kickstart is one such plugin, developed in collaboration with Nicky Romero. It provides the ability to apply a variety of sidechain curves to any instrument or audio file. Additionally, it includes a very useful mix knob, allowing you to determine exactly how much of the ducking effect you want to apply. Kickstart opens our list, as it serves as the perfect solution for a repetitive but necessary task.