Ramp 2

Ramp 2 is a tempo-synced volume shaper that applies dynamic filtering across user-defined frequency bands. The plugin excels at creating ducking effects, rhythmic gating, and lo-fi filtering characteristics through a straightforward approach: establish a volume envelope tied to your session tempo, then constrain that envelope to specific frequency ranges using a dual-band filter.

The core architecture centers on three shaping parameters. Time Division locks the envelope to standard beat subdivisions from whole bars down to thirty-second notes, Bias controls the curve's attack and release characteristics, and Angles independently adjusts the rise and fall slope angles, enabling everything from smooth sidechain-style pumping to abrupt rhythmic gates. A two-way band slider isolates which frequencies respond to the volume ramp while leaving others untouched, creating natural filtering artifacts rather than clinical ducking.

Ramp 2's frequency-selective approach distinguishes it from conventional sidechain compressors. By ramping only the midrange while leaving bass intact, or affecting highs while preserving warmth, you achieve dimensional ducking that feels part of the mix rather than imposed upon it. The post-processing compressor smooths the resulting envelope without affecting the shaping itself.

This plugin serves producers working in lo-fi, house, and electronic music who need quick, musical volume movement without sidechain compression's limitations. Its preset collection covers common scenarios, but the control layout rewards experimentation. Compared to generic ducking tools, Ramp 2's combination of temporal control and frequency selectivity makes it particularly valuable for adding movement without sacrificing tonal balance or requiring external trigger sources.