- Product: KICK 3
- Developer: Sonic Academy
- Type: Drum Synthesizer
- Version: 1.1.8
- Format: VST3, AAX, AU
- Requirements: Windows 10 or higher, macOS 10.13 or later
KICK 3 allows you to effortlessly sculpt, shape, and create the perfect kick drum tailored to your tracks, now with groundbreaking new features that push sound design to new heights.
No longer limited to synthesizing the sub element yourself, KICK 3 lets you import and analyze your favorite kick samples directly in the plugin.
With KICK 3, you can recreate and breathe new life back into your old sample collection.
Import & Analyze your Kicks
Discover new possibilites of creativity with KICK 3’s groundbreaking Import & Analyze feature. For the first time, you can seamlessly integrate your personal library of kick samples into the plugin and unlock unprecedented control over their sound.
Whether you’re enhancing a classic kick or crafting something entirely original, the Import & Analyze feature bridges the gap between sample-based and synthesized kick drums.
Finely Tuned Import Algorithm
Our kick sample import algorithm has been meticulously crafted and perfected using thousands of kick drum samples from a diverse range of genres, ensuring unparalleled accuracy
Simply drag and drop your favorite kick drum sample, and watch as KICK 3 works it’s magic to isolate the click and resynthesize the sub
Import & Isolate From Full Tracks
You don’t need to have single kick samples to make use of this feature. Want the kick drum from your favorite track? Simply drop the full song into KICK 3 and use the built in tools to isolate the kick you want to analyse and extract for use!
Logarithmic or Linear Workflow
You can now select between Logarithmic or Linear workflows, giving you the freedom to change to a more intuitive visual representation of what you are doing.
Use the LOG scale for precise control over the pitch of your sub, then switch to the LIN scale for clear visual feedback when adjusting volume dynamics.
Introducing TRIGGER
Use a reference track as a Sidechain input to trigger KICK 3 without the need to manually sequence in any MIDI. Replace or even augment kicks in your productions.
Five Layers of Freedom
Limitless creativity with 5 layers at your disposal, allowing you to mix and match Clicks and Subs on any layer. Craft the ultimate kick drum by stacking and blending sounds in endless combinations.
Add a sub layer to create a frequency based, synthesised layer for your kick, then add multiple click layers taking advantage of the built in click samples as well as experimenting with noise and textures.
Selective Keytracking
Introducing our new Selective Keytracking feature. Now, you can choose exactly which nodes in your SUB layer respond to keytracking, allowing you to keep essential elements untouched while applying pitch variations to others.
This means your kick drum retains its powerful low-end foundation across all keys, giving you the freedom to craft kicks that are consistent, dynamic, and uniquely yours.
Add Sustain
You are no longer limited by time, if you have area that you want Kick to extend out indefinitely, just activate the sustain mode and your kick will loop between the keytracked nodes until you let go, at which point it will continue and then end.
Swappable & Expanded FX
An all-new, FX suite packed with powerful effects like Clip, Tube, Wave and Tape Distortion, a Bit Crusher, Ring Modulator, Delay, Reverb, Filter, Drive, dual Compressors, and an EQ. Apply these effects on any of the two insert channels and route your five layers through them for intricate control.
Plus, utilize the master channel to add the perfect finishing touches. With this enhanced FX section, crafting impactful and unique kick drums has never been easier.
EQ with Spectral Analysis
Sculpt your kick drums with pinpoint accuracy using our advanced 4-band EQ equipped with a real-time spectral analyzer. This powerful combination allows you to visualize the frequency spectrum of your sound in detail, enabling precise adjustments to each band.
Complete Phase Control
You now have complete control of your Sub phase alignment with our brand new phase adjustment tools, making it easier than ever to keep your Sub layer in phase with your Click and Bassline. You can now rotate the phase of your Sub layer using the phase control tool.
Phase Lock & Phase Align
Select a node at any point in time and lock the phase from this point onwards. This allows you to make adjustments to the start of your Sub without interfering with the phase alignment that interacts with your bass.
Using the Phase control when phase lock is enabled will rotate the phase around your locked node.
- Pitch Snap: Keep your nodes in key by snapping them to the nearest harmonic note
- Gate: Control the length of your KICK using the length of your MIDI notes by using the GATE feature.
- Import Presets: Bring all your user kicks from KICK 2 straight into KICK 3 with our auto import feature.
- Export: Export your kick with a single click at your desired velocity and key. Drag it out into your DAW or drag it onto a new layer in KICK 3.
- Length: Our beat grid is matched to your project BPM and shown behind your waveform. Use the length control to set your desired work area. Sync length across your layers or have independent lengths for each layer.
- Edit: New readouts show what frequency you are working on when adjusting nodes within the AMP space, so you can see exactly what frequencies you are adjusting.
- Harmonics: We’ve expanded the SUB HARMONICS section. You can now dial in on the Gain, Ratio and Decay amount for your generated sub harmonic, or make use of our ready made presets
- Undo / Redo: Accidently tweak your nodes? You now have 30 steps of undo / redo to ensure any changes you make can be recovered or stepped back.
- Bezier Curves: Adjust the Pitch and Amp of both the sub and clicks of your kick using the node based envelopes and high quality Bezier curve algorithms to smooth transitions between frequencies.
- Zoom & Pan: New zoom and pan controls make it easier than ever to focus in on your waveform
540+ Presets Included
We’ve expanded our preset library from 230 to over 540 expertly crafted presets. Designed to cover every corner of the EDM spectrum—including house, trance, dubstep, techno, and more—these presets provide instant inspiration for your productions.
and 500 Click Samples
We’ve also upped our click library to 500 meticulously crafted click samples give you the tools to shape the perfect transient for your kicks.
Combine and customize clicks to design kick drums that not only punch through the mix but also add unique character to your tracks.
With this extensive collection at your fingertips, the possibilities for creating distinctive and impactful kicks are virtually limitless.
540+ Sub Layer Presets
When you import your analysed kick sample, as well as providing you with a finished preset to use and save, we also save all Pitch and Amp information from your Sub Layer and the individual click data into two different areas.
You can then mix and match subs and clicks from all of your recreated kicks to create truely endless possibilities.
We’ve included the sub layer presets from all 500 of our factory presets for you to make use of.
Built in Master Limiter
Achieve powerful, distortion-free kicks with KICK 3’s built-in master limiter. Featuring adjustable release and lookahead options, you can fine-tune how the limiter responds to your sound, ensuring maximum loudness without unwanted clipping.
The flexible gain control lets you choose between pre- or post-limiter settings, giving you precise control over the dynamics and final output level of your kick drum.
This means your kicks will not only hit harder but also sit perfectly in the mix, all while maintaining clarity and punch.
FX Macros
We have added 4 easy access FX Macros that can be easily assigned to any of the internal FX within KICK 3.
Total Control
Take total control of how MIDI input effects the length and pitch of your kick by making use of the Gate, Velocity, Portamento, Keytrack and Pitch Wheel features
Use the Master Tuning feature to shift the entire plugin by cents to perfectly match your track’s key.
v1.1.8 Release Notes
New Features
- Added a ‘global tuning’ option.
- Added a preset-lock option to the velocity sensitivity.
Improvements
- Preset path now truncates from the left, keeping the preset name and * visible.
Bugfixes
- Fixed Preset recalling issue in AAX