Best Free Alternatives to Kickstart 2 for Sidechain Compression
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Sidechain compression is a fundamental technique in modern music production, especially in genres like EDM, house, trap, and pop. It creates the "pumping" effect that allows kick drums to cut through the mix by reducing the volume of other elements, typically bass and synths.
While Kickstart 2 by Nicky Romero is a go-to plugin for this effect, it comes at a cost. Fortunately, there are free alternatives that offer similar functionality, often with even more customization options.
This article will compare the best free alternatives to Kickstart 2, helping you find the right plugin for your workflow.
Why Consider an Alternative to Kickstart 2?
Kickstart 2 is a fantastic plugin, but it has a few limitations: ✅ Pros:
- Super easy to use.
- Pre-made volume curves for instant sidechain.
- Low CPU usage.
❌ Cons:
- No external audio sidechain input (only volume automation).
- Limited customization compared to other plugins.
- Paid plugin ($16+ cost).
If you need more flexibility or a free alternative, the plugins below will get the job done just as well.
Best Free Alternatives to Kickstart 2
Here’s a comparison table of the best free sidechain plugins:
| Plugin | Main Feature | Custom Envelopes? | External Sidechain? | MIDI Control? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAL-Filter 2 | Volume & filter modulation | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | EDM, Lo-fi, House |
| Xfer LFO Tool (Demo) | Advanced LFO volume shaping | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | All genres (Full version is paid) |
| Kilohearts Trance Gate | Step-sequenced volume shaping | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | Rhythmic gating & sidechaining |
| SideKick6 (Free) | True sidechain compression | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | House, Techno, Pop |
| Flux BitterSweet v3 | Transient shaping & dynamics | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | Punchier kicks & snares |
| Cymatics Origin | Lo-fi tape & filter effects | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | Lo-Fi, Chill music |
| Duck by Devious Machines (Demo) | Multi-band ducking & automation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Advanced sidechaining |
1. TAL-Filter 2 (Best for Quick & Customizable Sidechain)
- Custom volume & filter modulation
- Drag-and-draw envelopes for precise ducking
- Tempo & MIDI sync for automation
- Low CPU usage and free forever
✅ Why choose this? If you want Kickstart-like simplicity but need custom envelopes, this is a perfect choice.
🔗 Download: https://tal-software.com/products/tal-filter-2
2. Xfer LFO Tool (Demo) (Best for Advanced Users)
- Fully customizable LFO & volume shaping
- MIDI-triggered sidechain (not in Kickstart!)
- Low CPU usage & works on all DAWs
- Full version required to save presets
✅ Why choose this? If you want maximum control over your volume ducking and don't mind using the demo version.
🔗 Download: https://xferrecords.com/products/lfo-tool
3. Kilohearts Trance Gate (Best for Rhythmic Gating)
- Step-sequencer for volume automation
- Simple and lightweight
- No external sidechain, but great for rhythmic effects
✅ Why choose this? If you want sidechain-style effects without a compressor, or need trance-style gating.
🔗 Download: https://kilohearts.com/products/trance_gate
4. SideKick6 (Free Version) (Best for True Sidechain Compression)
- Actual sidechain compression (not just volume automation)
- Simple drag-and-drop routing
- Great for house, techno, and pop music
✅ Why choose this? If you want real sidechaining with external input, unlike Kickstart.
🔗 Download: https://www.beatsurfing.com/sidekick6/
5. Flux BitterSweet v3 (Best for Punchy Transients)
- Works like a transient shaper
- Boosts or reduces attack on kicks & snares
- Can be used for subtle pumping effects
✅ Why choose this? If you want a creative way to control dynamics without traditional sidechaining.
🔗 Download: https://www.flux.audio/project/bittersweet-v3/
6. Cymatics Origin (Best for Lo-Fi & Tape Effects)
- Vintage filtering & volume shaping
- Perfect for chill, lo-fi, and experimental music
- Can create subtle sidechain effects with automation
✅ Why choose this? If you want tape-style ducking rather than EDM-style sidechain compression.
🔗 Download: https://cymatics.fm/products/origin
7. Duck by Devious Machines (Demo) (Best for Multi-Band Ducking)
- Multi-band sidechain control (unlike Kickstart)
- MIDI-triggered automation
- Demo version is time-limited but fully functional
✅ Why choose this? If you need sidechain compression that affects different frequency ranges separately.
🔗 Download: https://deviousmachines.com/duck/
Final Recommendations
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best free Kickstart 2 alternative based on your needs:
| Use Case | Best Free Plugin |
|---|---|
| Simple sidechain effect (like Kickstart 2) | TAL-Filter 2 |
| MIDI-triggered ducking | Xfer LFO Tool (Demo) |
| True sidechain compression (external input) | SideKick6 (Free) |
| Multi-band ducking | Duck by Devious Machines (Demo) |
| Lo-fi & experimental effects | Cymatics Origin |
| Transient shaping for punchy kicks | Flux BitterSweet v3 |
| Rhythmic volume automation (trance & house) | Kilohearts Trance Gate |
Conclusion
While Kickstart 2 is a powerful and simple tool for sidechaining, there are many free plugins that can achieve the same effect—and more. Whether you need custom envelopes, true sidechain compression, or MIDI-triggered ducking, there’s a free alternative that fits your workflow.
If you're unsure where to start, TAL-Filter 2 is the closest free alternative to Kickstart 2, while SideKick6 is great for true sidechain compression.
Would you like help setting up one of these plugins in your DAW? Let me know!
Image credits: kickstart-plugin.com