Kickstop 2

Kickstop 2 is a Windows VST3 sidechain volume shaper made for fast, musical pump effects. It is designed for producers who want a clear kick-ducking workflow without setting up complicated routing every time.

Overview

Kickstop 2 shapes the volume of your audio with tempo-synced pump curves, MIDI triggers, or audio sidechain triggers. Use it to make bass, pads, leads, vocals, or full loops move around the kick with a clean, punchy ducking effect.

Features

• VST3 effect for Windows DAWs.
• Host-synced pumping with 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and 1/1 timing.
• Trigger modes for SYNC, MIDI, and AUDIO sidechain workflows.
• Multiple pump curve presets plus a custom curve editor.
• Mix and Depth controls for subtle ducking or hard pumping.
• Band mode for frequency-focused ducking.
• Audio sensitivity control for external trigger signals.
• Preset import and export.
• Theme selection for different UI styles.

Installation

1. Download the latest installer.exe from the button above.
2. Close your DAW before installing.
3. Run installer.exe.
4. Allow administrator permission when Windows asks.
5. The installer places the plugin here:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\Kickstop 2.vst3

6. Open your DAW and rescan VST3 plugins if Kickstop 2 does not appear automatically.

How To Run

1. Add Kickstop 2 as an effect on the track you want to duck.
2. Start with SYNC mode for instant tempo-locked pumping.
3. Set Mix to 100% and raise Depth until the movement is obvious.
4. Choose a curve preset that matches the groove.
5. Use MIDI mode if you want notes to trigger the ducking shape.
6. Use AUDIO mode if you want an external kick or sidechain signal to trigger the shape.
7. Enable Band when you only want part of the frequency range to duck.

Notes

Kickstop 2 is an original plugin by Tri Nao Nhan Tao. It is built around the familiar sidechain volume-shaping workflow, with its own interface, controls, themes, and DSP implementation, Get ideas from Kickstart 2 :)