Collapse
Predictive Sidechain Ducker
Collapse proactively clears space before transients occur. Four independent inputs with per-channel envelope control, broadband or spectral ducking modes, and configurable lookahead.
Overview
Sidechain ducking in electronic music is fundamentally reactive. A transient arrives, the ducker detects it, and gain reduction begins — after the transient has already competed with the target signal. The result is a brief window where both signals overlap at full level, precisely at the moment of highest energy.
Collapse addresses this by shifting the ducking envelope forward in time. An adjustable lookahead buffer (up to 25ms) ensures gain reduction reaches its deepest point at the moment the transient arrives, not after. The target signal is already attenuated when the drum hits.
Four independent sidechain inputs can be routed simultaneously, each with separate controls for ducking depth, attack, hold, release, and mute duration. Each input operates in broadband or spectral mode independently. Spectral mode provides a draggable EQ curve to constrain ducking to specific frequency ranges.
Interface Tour
Click the hotspots to explore key features
Spectral Mode
Toggles between broadband and frequency-selective ducking. In spectral mode, only the frequency range defined by the sidechain input is attenuated. Broadband mode applies uniform gain reduction across the full spectrum.
Lookahead
Adjustable buffer (up to 25ms) shifts the entire ducking envelope forward in time. At maximum lookahead, gain reduction reaches its deepest point precisely when the transient arrives. Introduces equivalent latency, automatically compensated by the host DAW.
Spectral Display
Real-time spectrum analyzer shows the sidechain input signal overlaid with the output. The draggable EQ curve defines which frequencies are affected in spectral mode. Filter slope is adjustable at both ends of the curve.
Gain Reduction Display
Time-domain view of the ducking envelope. The upper trace shows the gain reduction curve; the lower region shows the sidechain trigger signal. Visualizes attack, hold, and release characteristics in real time.
Envelope Controls
Per-channel controls for Amount, Attack, Hold, Release, and Mute Duration. Each sidechain input has independent settings, allowing different ducking behavior for each drum element.
Channel Selector
Switch between the 4 sidechain inputs. Channels can be labeled (e.g. Kick, Snare) for clarity. Each channel maintains its own envelope settings, lookahead, ducking depth, and broadband/spectral mode selection.
Mute Duration
Inserts a configurable silence window (1–50ms) at the envelope trough. Combined with lookahead, this creates a gap of true silence around the transient.
Technical Specifications
Predictive Lookahead
Adjustable buffer (up to 25ms) shifts the entire ducking envelope forward in time. Gain reduction reaches maximum depth at the moment of the transient, not after. Equivalent latency is reported to the host for automatic delay compensation.
Mute Duration
Inserts a configurable window of silence (1–50ms) at the envelope trough. When combined with lookahead, the target signal can be fully muted before and during the transient.
4 Independent Inputs
Route up to 4 individual tracks as separate sidechain sources. Each input functions as a discrete ducking trigger within a single processor instance, eliminating the need for multiple plugin instances.
Per-Input Envelope Shaping
Each sidechain input has independent ducking depth, attack, hold, and release parameters. Different drum elements can be configured with different envelope characteristics within the same instance.
Broadband and Spectral Modes
Each input can operate in broadband or spectral mode independently. Spectral mode provides a draggable EQ curve with adjustable filter slopes to increase ducking at desired frequency bands.
Efficient Processing
Lockfree message queue prevents audio thread blocking. Processing 4 inputs within a single instance reduces CPU overhead compared to running multiple separate ducker instances. Designed for stability at low buffer sizes.
Capabilities
Single-Instance Multi-Source Ducking
One processor instance on the target bus. Up to 4 drum tracks routed as individual sidechain inputs. Each input ducks the target with independent magnitude and envelope settings.
Pre-Transient Gain Reduction
The lookahead buffer shifts the ducking envelope forward in time. The envelope reaches its deepest point at the moment the transient arrives. The target signal is already attenuated when the drum hits — not still reacting to it.
Per-Input Envelope Shaping
Each of the 4 inputs has independent attack, hold, and release parameters. Different envelope characteristics can be assigned to different drum elements within the same processor instance.
Independent Reduction Depth
Each input has its own ducking depth control. Different drum elements can impose different amounts of gain reduction on the target signal, from subtle attenuation to complete silence.
Real-Time Visualization
Per-input gain reduction metering shows individual ducking contribution. Spectral analyzer displays sidechain input and output simultaneously. Time-domain view shows the ducking envelope shape.
Per-Channel Lookahead
Each of the 4 sidechain inputs has its own configurable lookahead setting. A kick may require maximum lookahead for full pre-transient attenuation, while a hi-hat needs minimal or no lookahead. Lookahead values are set independently per channel.
System Requirements
Formats
VST3, AU
64-bit only
macOS
macOS 10.13 or later
Intel and Apple Silicon native
Windows
Windows 10 or later
x64 architecture
Download & Purchase
60-day evaluation period. Full functionality, no registration required.
macOS 10.13+ | Windows 10+ | VST3, AU
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