SUPERBOOTH 2022: Knobula to debut Kickain Eurorack Module

Knobula has introduced a new Eurorack module with a 909 inspired beat making engine at its heart. Kickain combines a robust feature set that takes it far beyond the capabilities of its ’90s stablemate and present-day competitors.

Following its popular Poly Cinematic eight-voice polyphonic synth module launched at last year’s Superbooth, Knobula once again challenges conventional expectations on how much can be squeezed into 12 HP space of Eurorack. Kickain delivers a rich virtual analog bass drum circuit, a 24-bit digital reverb, and a stereo spectral compressor — completing a full kick drum voice and side chain workflow into one unit.

With its one knob per function design, Kickain distils the control surface into an ergonomic and powerful set of tools, giving the performer an enormous degree of control over the sound character of the kick sound, while at the same time optimizing the overall energy level of the stereo mix. Kickain’s layout is intuitive and performance-oriented, containing two overlapping sections: one for shaping the kick drum sound and the other for applying side chain compression so it can cut through the mix. The kick drum sound can be tailored using the click, drive, bend, tune and punch controls, and users are able to adjust the shared attack and decay controls of the envelope.
Kickain effortlessly optimizes the side chain settings so users can achieve the elusive ducking effect that can be so impactful on compositions. Taking this concept one step further, the module also includes two additional spectral compression options which dynamically EQ the stereo mix to the exact frequency of the kick. The resulting sound has all of the power and clarity of a side chain kick drum set up without the heavy breathing associated with extreme compression. Add to that an envelope reverb and shell resonator algorithm, and the versatility of Kickain becomes readily apparent.

Kickain features