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Key Features
The KNOBULA Kickain Kick Drum and Sidechain Module combines a powerful analog kick drum generator with a highly flexible side-chain compressor to deliver this unique sound generation and effect module. The groundbreaking design takes modular innovation to the next level, allowing you to optimise your side-chain workflow and bring clarity to your bass range. The main principle of side-chaining is to ensure maximum power and clarity between two clashing frequencies; ducking one source behind the other for a classic 'pumping' style effect.
Product Ref: 227132
Revered for its punchy and powerful character; the 909-style kick drum the Kickain provides is inspired by classic analog synths. Taking inspiration from this, the Kickain delivers the same power and punch as the classic gear with hands-on controls for shaping the way the kick sounds. The thing that sets the Kickain apart from conventional kick drum modules is its ability to sidechain incoming signals with the kick drum, allowing you to recreate that classic ‘pumping’ effect.
Sidechaining has been used in countless music productions, especially within the EDM world; allowing bass-heavy genres to bring added clarity to the bass range. It can also be used as a practical effect, as championed by many Lo-Fi hip-hop artists in the past few years. The result is a tighter and more refined bass response when combining two bass-orientated elements.
The kick drum itself features Drive, Tune and Click controls as well as Punch and Bend parameters. You can use these controls to shape the kick’s sound and make it as clicky or as punchy as you want. It even has a built-in ‘Clip’ LED that provides a visual indicator for when the signal is starting to distort. There is switchable 40 Hz/60 Hz bass-cut protection for added tonal flexibility.
One of the most unique features of the Kickain is Spectral Compression. In comparison to sidechaining, Spectral Compression employs an intelligent equaliser to analyse and continuously adjust the frequency range to fit around the kick drum. Generating thousands of calculations and adjustments per second, the Spectral Compressor effect optimises the loudness of your kick without the ‘pumping’ effect normally associated with sidechaining. The result is a tighter low-end with a pronounced kick and an overall smoother bass response.
Add some depth/echo to your kick drum sound using the onboard 24-bit stereo reverb. The reverb is linked to the delay envelope control so you can create everything from a subtle echo to massive reverb-drenched bass drops. You can also incorporate other FX using the onboard FX send/return option. The Kickain features a range of patch points including trigger, decay, accent and v/oct connections.