Duck 2 from Devious Machines

Published 11/3/26

Side-chain ducking tool gets an upgrade

Devious Machines’ popular side-chaining and envelope-shaping tool has just been kitted out with an improved envelope editor, a new multiband section, additional presets and a whole host of other enhancements.

Duck 2 introduces a redesigned envelope editor that comes sporting a fresh new look and some additional tools. New brush tools make quick work of creating ramp and step patterns, while a multi-mode randomise function offers a convenient way to generate new rhythmic ideas; other new additions include nudge left/right, invert, reverse and repeat envelope functions. The envelope itself has gained new 2D Bend and Spline shapes, and it’s now possible to copy and paste shapes within Duck 2, as well as copying a shape from the company’s Infiltrator plug-in.

Multiband functionality has been expanded, too, and the feature now has its own dedicated pop-out panel. There are now three bands instead of two, each of which can be loaded with its own envelope, while the crossover now features a choice of 12, 24, 48 dB/octave slopes. a new linear-phase mode then helps to provide a cleaner sound and avoid phase artefacts when using parallel signal chains.

Other new arrivals include a Trace Envelope feature, which analyses an audio signal — either from the side-chain or an imported audio file — and then automatically turns it into a ducking envelope shape. a new Offset control then replaces and merges the offset and look-ahead functions from the original Duck into a new, continuously variable time offset, providing fine adjustment over the timing of the envelope with respect to the audio.

What’s New?

Here’s a quick overview of the features that have been introduced in the latest version:

Modernised, freely-resizable GUI
Powerful new multiband features:
- Two- or three-band mode.
- Separate envelope per band (optional).
- Adjustable crossover slope (12, 24, 48 dB/octave).
- Linear-phase mode.
- Spectrum analyser.
Improved envelope editor:
- Modernised look and feel.
- New curve shapes (spline, 2D bend).
- Randomise function.
- New edit operations (rotate, duplicate, invert, etc.).
- Brush tools.
- Multi-select of points.
- Expanded envelope preset palette.
- Copy and paste of shapes (including from Infiltrator 2).
Expanded preset library.
Undo/redo.
Trace envelope shape from audio inputs, or imported file.
Updated output section with gain reduction metering.
New combined offset/look-ahead function.
New preset browser.
Unsync’ed Hz mode for LFO.
New advanced trigger settings panel.
Loop and Release functions for triggered envelopes.
Audio signal and trigger trace.
Improved support for non-4/4 time signatures.

Compatibility

Duck 2 is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 10.13 and higher. VST2, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.