No. On Tap processes with zero latency - no lookahead buffer required. It works seamlessly for tracking, mixing, and live performance.

On Tap - Instant Sidechain Ducking Plugin

Name: On Tap
Brand: Carbonated Audio
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Carbonated Audio

Sidechain on demand.

Pick a curve, pick a trigger mode, set the length. Duck the whole track, or only the low end.

16 ducking curves

Sidechain pump, sub bass, kick trim, reverse chain, rhythm FX, and more. Hand-crafted shapes ready to drop in.

3 trigger modes

Sync locks to your DAW's tempo. MIDI triggers from any note. Audio triggers from an incoming signal.

Band-split crossover

Duck only above or below a frequency. 20Hz to 5.12kHz, so you can sidechain just the bass or just the top end.

Full control

Mix knob, slope offset, shift amount, and a draggable end marker. Subtle dips to hard pumps.

Anti-click smoothing

Built-in smoothing eliminates pops and clicks at gain transitions, even at aggressive settings.

Zero latency

No lookahead delay and low CPU. Safe for tracking and live use.

Bass, pads, synths, vocals, master bus. Drop On Tap on any of them and get that sidechain pump without touching a compressor.

How it works

Three moves to the pocket.

Insert On Tap
Drop it on any track: bass, pads, synths, vocals, master bus. VST3, AU, or AAX.
Pick a curve
Browse 16 ducking shapes. Pick a pump style, set your trigger mode, and set the length.
Adjust the mix
Blend dry and wet with the mix knob. Dial in slope and shift for the perfect pocket.

$20

One-time purchase

Pay once. No subscriptions, no iLok, no recurring fees. Free updates forever.

No compressor required

Traditional sidechain requires routing a kick to a compressor. On Tap skips all that. Just insert and go.

From the makers of Carbonator

Carbonated Audio has been featured on:

Audio Plugin Guy
Rekkerd.org
KVR Audio
AudioNewsRoom

Runs where you work.

Formats

VST3
AU
AAX

macOS

10.13+ (High Sierra and later)Intel + Apple Silicon native

Windows

Windows 10+ (64-bit)VST3, with installer

DAWs

Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Studio One, Cubase, Reaper, and more

Pay once. Keep it forever.

^$20

One-time purchase

All 16 ducking curves
All 3 trigger modes
Band-split crossover
All plugin formats
3 machine activations
Free updates
Email support

Get On Tap - $20 Try the free demo

Or 4 interest-free payments of $5 with Klarna or Afterpay at checkout.

Or take all nine.

On Tap plus every other Carbonated Audio plugin, SPRITZ included, for $99.

See the bundles

Questions, answered.

What is sidechain ducking?

Sidechain ducking is a mixing technique where one sound's volume dips in response to another, usually a kick drum pushing down the bass or pads. It creates that rhythmic "pumping" effect heard in electronic, pop, and hip-hop music. On Tap gives you this effect without needing to route a compressor.

Do I need a compressor or sidechain routing?

No. That's the whole point of On Tap. Traditional sidechain requires routing a kick to a compressor input. On Tap uses its own ducking curves and trigger modes, so just insert it on a track and you're done. No bus routing needed.

What are the trigger modes?

On Tap has 3 trigger modes. Sync locks the ducking to your DAW's tempo automatically. MIDI triggers the curve from any MIDI note. Audio triggers from an incoming audio signal's envelope. Each mode gives you a different level of control over timing.

What are the 16 curves?

16 hand-crafted gain reduction shapes designed for different musical contexts: classic sidechain pump, sub bass ducking, kick trim, reverse chain, rhythm FX patterns, and more. Each curve has a different character so you can find the right feel without drawing your own automation.

What is the band-split crossover?

The crossover filter lets you duck only part of the frequency spectrum. Set it to duck only below 200Hz and your bass dips while the highs stay untouched. Or duck only the top end for a different rhythmic effect. The range goes from 20Hz to 5.12kHz.

What formats are supported?

On Tap is available as VST3, AU and AAX on macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon, universal), and as VST3 on Windows (64-bit) with an installer. The free demo is available for both.

How many computers can I use it on?

Up to 3 machines with one license. If you need to move an activation, just deactivate on the old machine and activate on the new one.

Is there a free trial?

Yes! Download the free demo here. It includes all features with a periodic silence cycle (60 seconds on, 10 seconds muted) so you can fully evaluate On Tap before purchasing.

Does it add latency?

No. On Tap processes with zero latency, with no lookahead buffer required. It works for tracking, mixing, and live performance.

What's the refund policy?

All sales are final, so try the free On Tap demo in your DAW before you buy. If your order is broken, never arrived, or you were charged twice, email mixedbysoda@gmail.com within 14 days and we'll make it right.