# BLEASS Sidekick — The Creative Rhythm Companion

> Rhythmic dynamics tool with kick synth, sequencer, and sidechain compressor. (iPhone/iPad app by BLEASS.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-sidekick/id1462418779 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [BLEASS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1220444177)
- Category: Music
- Price: $3.99 (on sale, was $6.99)
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 30 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 24 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-05-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-sidekick/id1462418779/reviews.md

## What is BLEASS Sidekick?

BLEASS Sidekick is a combination of a kick drum synth, a step sequencer, and a ducker (aka a sidechain compressor). The result is a plugin that provides a unique way to create exciting rhythmic dynamics within your music.

The kick drum synth uses an analogue-style engine inspired by vintage beatboxes, which allows it to create a wide range of classic analogue kick drum tones with ease. This synth can be triggered by the built-in 16-step sequencer or by an external MIDI input; its sound can be mixed with the audio passing through the plugin, be used to trigger the plugin’s ducker stage, or both. 

Used without the ducker, BLEASS Sidechain makes it easy to add your own kick parts to loops and other percussive parts. 

Bringing in the ducker causes the input signal to reduce in volume whenever the kick synth is triggered. When used on a drum loop this lets you impose your own creativity on the underlying feel and beat of the loop, ducking-out the loop’s kick sound and pattern so that you can replace them with a sound and pattern that you have crafted.

Perhaps BLEASS Sidekick’s best trick, though, is to use the kick synth and sequencer purely as a trigger for the ducker. This lets you create fascinating and detailed dynamic rhythms within any part or track, whether individual instrument or an entire mix. 

This plugin is AUv3 compatible and offers Multi-Bus output (within AUM) as well as Midi Input.

More information and tutorials available on https://www.bleass.com/sidekick

## Key features

- Kick drum synthesizer
- 16-step sequencer
- Sidechain compressor (ducker)
- MIDI input
- AUv3 compatible
- Multi-Bus output

## Recent user reviews (10 of 10)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-sidekick/id1462418779/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Rules!

*2026-07-30, version 1.4*

I admit, I rarely mess with the settings, the default is so golden and more slick than me. 
But I have messed with them and they are very straightforward.
I love all the BLEASS stuff but this is a bit like salt and can go on anything unless you already have kick drum all taken care of, I guess.
It’s super slick and perfect and makes noisy weird experimental sounds rhythmic and often makes them fit in, in a mix… or that’s my main use for it.
I make some noisy, clacky thing and put this on it and suddenly, it often works in place of a drum machine. 
I owe this side chain compression kick drum ducker doohickey five stars for being so easy and saving my weird efforts so many times.

### 5/5 — Real Gem

*2025-12-07, version 1.4*

Wow. Had this plugin for years and didn’t know it would become a center piece in my mixing for ducking the melody when the kick hits instead of using a regular compressor. I just have an ask though. Bypass option/button? Is it possible to add this? Really would help my workflow in beatmaker 3

### 1/5 — No refund???

*2025-04-17, version 1.4*

Thought I had right of withdrawal in EU within 15 days…. It’s not sidechaining as I expected I don’t need this app

### 5/5 — Cool app

*2025-01-27*

Its a kick its there when you need just a kick

**Developer response:** A solid kick is the greatest pick-me-up whenever needed, we're glad to provide it ;) thank you for your kind feedback

### 5/5 — Knaller!

*2022-07-16, version 1.3*

Macht das, was es soll perfekt. Hatte auch andere Sidechain-Kompressoren ausprobiert, aber für pumpende Baselines ist der hier der absolute Bringer. Zig Parameter lassen sich per MIDI ansteuern. Ganz klar fünf Sterne!

### 5/5 — Mega Bombe Plugin

*2021-02-02, version 1.3*

Derb Good dope work!

### 4/5 — Good and easy to use

*2020-06-11, version 1.3*

Nice kick generator but why only 16 step sequencer? Wish it would be at list 32.

### 5/5 — 重低音に対してコンプレッションがカバーできる

*2020-02-14*

たとえばGarageBandでキックにサイドチェインをかけたい時にいいコンプが見つからない。ファブフィルターは高い。なんかいいのがなかった。でもこれはキックのコンプに特化していて、しかも使いやすい。

**Developer response:** キック向けにちゃんと作られてるツールに出会えると嬉しいですよね。それに使いやすいならなおさら。いいの見つけましたね。

### 5/5 — Needs midi input update

*2020-01-02, version 1.2*

The ducker doesn’t seem to work when routed via MIDI. Tried it every way kick works no duck.

-I got it to work you have to have 2 instances of Sidekick running on top of each other. Could be a NanoStudio 2 issue, it’s really the only auv3 if it’s kind so I don’t know. Open up 2 instances and one of them works fine. Remove one and you just get the kick. Also works great as a ducker when used on other tracks. It really sounds great, just need 2 instances for kick in NanoStudio 2 when using MIDI that is all.

### 5/5 — Aaaamaaaaziiing!!!

*2019-05-25, version 1.0*

This app is soooo much fun to use! Is amazing what a nice sidekick can do! Only Bleass can do it and say it better... Bleass Sidekick is the ultimate effect plugin to move your body!

## Frequently asked questions about BLEASS Sidekick

### What is BLEASS Sidekick?

BLEASS Sidekick is a music production plugin that combines a kick drum synthesizer, a 16-step sequencer, and a sidechain compressor. It's designed to help users create unique rhythmic dynamics and control audio volume within their music.

### What kind of music is BLEASS Sidekick best for?

BLEASS Sidekick is ideal for electronic music genres, hip-hop, and any style where rhythmic precision and dynamic control are important. Its ability to create custom kick patterns and ducking effects makes it versatile for various production needs.

### Does BLEASS Sidekick work on iPhone and iPad?

Yes, BLEASS Sidekick is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed to be compatible with iOS devices, offering powerful music production capabilities on the go.

### How much does BLEASS Sidekick cost?

BLEASS Sidekick is a paid application, priced at $6.99. This one-time purchase grants you full access to all its features without any additional in-app purchases or subscriptions.

### How often is BLEASS Sidekick updated?

The latest version of BLEASS Sidekick is 1.4, which was last updated on September 9, 2022. While updates are not extremely frequent, the developer BLEASS has a history of supporting their applications.

### What are the main benefits of using BLEASS Sidekick's ducker?

The ducker in BLEASS Sidekick allows you to automatically reduce the volume of an incoming audio signal whenever the kick synth is triggered. This is excellent for making your kick drum punch through a mix or for creatively ducking other instruments to create rhythmic space.

### Can BLEASS Sidekick be used with other music apps?

Yes, BLEASS Sidekick is AUv3 compatible, allowing it to be used as an audio unit extension within compatible iOS music applications like AUM. It also supports Multi-Bus output within AUM and MIDI input.

### What is the user sentiment for BLEASS Sidekick?

Users generally have a very positive view of BLEASS Sidekick, as indicated by its high rating of 4.9 stars from 28 ratings. This suggests that users find the app to be effective and enjoyable to use for their music production.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.4 — 2022-09-09

Improved UI
BLEASS Sidekick is also available for Desktop.
Visit https://www.bleass.com/sidekick for more information

### 1.3 — 2020-04-07

Version 1.3 now offers multi-bus output audio routing (compatible with AUM) which means that you can now route the Kick's audio into a different channel!

### 1.2 — 2019-08-31

This update brings a brand new UI with improved colors and overall feeling.
You now can also trig the kick not only with AU parameters but also with midi notes in hosts such as Cubasis or BeatMaker3!

### 1.0 — 2019-05-22

No release notes.

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## More apps by BLEASS

- [BLEASS Groovebox](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-groovebox/id1220444178)
- [BLEASS Delay](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-delay/id1448509525)
- [BLEASS Reverb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-reverb/id1457212864)
- [BLEASS Filter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-filter/id1464916830)
- [BLEASS Alpha Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-alpha-synthesizer/id1476042892)

All apps by BLEASS: https://appshunter.io/developer/1220444177

## Related topics

[bleass groovebox](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bleass-groovebox) · [sidechain compressor plugin](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sidechain-compressor-plugin)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*