sideGATE is a lookahead flexigate designed with a virtual sidechain input, offering flexibility for mono, stereo, or dual mono operation. It features two inputs and two outputs with mixable channels and sidechains, allowing precise control over gating effects. The plugin includes a sidechain filter with high-pass, low-pass, resonance, and gain controls, along with a lookahead capability of up to 1000 milliseconds for smooth gating transitions. Additional controls such as channel and sidechain link switches, sidechain monitoring, response inversion, output panning, and mix controls provide detailed shaping options for various audio scenarios.

In voice production, sideGATE excels as a lookahead noise gate, ideal for situations like a presenter speaking over background noise. Unlike traditional gates that can cause abrupt noise bumps when opening, sideGATE's lookahead function allows the background audio to fade in gradually before the voice starts, resulting in a more natural and less intrusive sound. This makes it particularly useful for broadcast and podcast environments where clarity and smoothness are essential.

For music production, sideGATE provides dynamic gating based on sidechain input levels, enabling creative effects such as gating reverb tails in sync with drum hits or controlling synths and bass sounds according to rhythmic elements. It can also modify the attack of instruments, softening tones to produce unique textures like turning an electric guitar solo into a lap steel-like sound. Its ability to pan outputs based on volume adds spatial movement, enriching mixes with dynamic stereo effects.