The device is divided into three pages: "Sub," "Click," and "FX." The "Sub" page serves as the foundation, featuring an additive synthesizer that allows users to mix octave harmonics directly. Multi-envelopes provide control over pitch, amplitude, and cutoff of the Sallen-Key lowpass filter.
The "Click" page includes two generators—a frequency modulation (FM) oscillator for midrange spikes and a pink noise source. These can be blended together using the Mix knob and shaped with the bandpass filter. Envelopes control the carrier frequency, modulator ratio, and lowpass filter cutoff frequency.
The final page consists of a saturation waveshaper and a compressor. The saturation allows the addition of even harmonics, while the compressor offers parameters for adjusting knee, mode, and mix.
The article provides helpful tips for using the Kick Machine 2. It suggests starting with the compressor and drive off, focusing on the fundamental partial before adding high-frequency information. The author also advises utilizing the visualizer and adjusting envelope settings to achieve desired results. Additionally, various techniques are recommended for creating specific sounds, such as using the FM oscillator for an enharmonic cluster in the midrange.
Overall, the Kick Machine 2 offers extensive control and versatility for synthesizing kick drum sounds in Ableton Live. It is available for download via a provided link, and there is no specified license for the device. :internal_private_article_id: kick-machine-2
OspreyInstruments has outdone themselves with the release of the updated Kick Machine 2, and it offers a significantly enhanced user experience compared to its predecessor. This complete ground-up rewrite brings a streamlined interface paired with power-packed features specifically designed for Ableton Live, making it an indispensable Max4Live device for those focused on creating compelling kick drum sounds.
The new Kick Machine version is divided into three pages or tabs, namely "Sub", "Click", and "FX". The "Sub" page lies at the heart of the drum synthesizer. Built around an additive synthesizer, it allows the mixing of octave harmonics directly, thus offering a direct control over the pitch, amplitude, and cutoff of the Sallen-Key low-pass filter, making it an ideal tool for those seeking to create foundationally strong kick drum sounds.
Next is the "Click" page, featuring two generators. The first is an FM oscillator, whereas the second one offers a pink noise source. The resultant sound can be blended using the Mix knob, with the ability to shape the fusion through the use of the bandpass filter. Functionality is further extended through envelope controls for carrier frequency, modulator ratio, and low-pass filter cutoff frequency.
The third and final page, "FX", is composed of two effects: a saturation waveshaper and a compressor. The saturation feature allows the mixing in of even harmonics by increasing the "tube" parameter, while the compressor provides adjustable parameters for knee, mode, and mix, offering exceptional control over the output sound.
To make the most out of Kick Machine 2, starting the journey with the compressor and drive turned off is recommended. Once you are comfortable working with the fundamental partial, you can start building up the high-frequency information. The visualizer is your best friend in this process, helping you adjust envelope settings and achieve desired results. A balance of the different elements, such as utilizing the FM oscillator for creating an enharmonic cluster in the midrange, can lead to the production of a variety of unique and captivating sounds.
To cap it all, the Kick Machine 2 is more than just a kick drum synthesizer. It offers unprecedented control over drum sound synthesis in Ableton Live, thus opening up endless creative opportunities. Its versatility combined with its feature set makes it an impressive tool for any electronic music producer, beginner or professional. So, start experimenting, mix and match frequencies, and let your creativity orchestrate the perfect kick drum sound.
For those wishing to dive right in, Kick Machine 2 1.0 is available for download at the provided link. There's no license specified for the device, making the process hassle-free and straightforward. Unleash the potential of your kick drum sounds with the new Kick Machine 2 today! It's an experience you won't want to miss.
Example Usage
In this example, we will explore how to create a basic kick drum sound using the Kick Machine 2 device in Ableton Live.
- Open Ableton Live and create a new MIDI track.
- Drag and drop the Kick Machine 2 device onto the MIDI track.
- Click on the "Sub" tab in the device interface.
- Adjust the partials (octave harmonics) to shape the fundamental frequency of the kick drum. You can use the multi-envelopes to control the pitch, amplitude, and cutoff of the lowpass filter.
- Switch to the "Click" tab.
- Use the FM oscillator to add enharmonic midrange spikes to the kick drum sound. Adjust the carrier frequency and modulator ratio using the envelope functions. You can also blend in some pink noise by using the Mix knob and shape it with the bandpass filter.
- Move to the final page, which contains the saturation waveshaper and compressor effects.
- Experiment with the "tube" parameter in the saturation module to add even harmonics to the kick drum sound. The bias parameter can be adjusted to introduce a mix of even order harmonics.
- Use the compressor to control the dynamics of the kick drum sound. Try different knee parameters to achieve the desired compression characteristics.
- Once you are satisfied with the kick drum sound, you can further process it with other Ableton Live effects or incorporate it into your music production.
Remember to experiment with different settings within the Kick Machine 2 device to create unique and interesting kick drum sounds for your music.
Intermediate Usage Example:
Let's explore an intermediate-level usage example of the Kick Machine 2 in Ableton Live. In this example, we'll create a dynamic and punchy kick drum sound using the various parameters and envelopes available in the device.
- Start by adding the Kick Machine 2 to a MIDI track in Ableton Live.
- Switch to the "Sub" page/tab. Here, we'll focus on shaping the foundation of the kick drum sound.
- Adjust the partials (octave harmonics) to add richness to the sound. Experiment with mixing different partials to create the desired tone.
- Use the multi-envelopes to control the pitch, amplitude, and cutoff of the Sallen-Key lowpass filter. This will give you precise control over the overall shape and character of the kick drum.
- Switch to the "Click" page/tab. This section allows you to enhance the midrange spikes and add noise elements to the kick drum sound.
- Experiment with the FM (PM) oscillator and modulator ratio envelopes to create enharmonic midrange spikes, which add depth and character to the kick.
- Blend the FM oscillator and pink noise source using the Mix knob. Fine-tune the sound further by shaping it with the bandpass filter.
- Now, let's add some additional effects to further shape the kick drum sound. Switch to the final page/tab of the Kick Machine 2.
- Use the saturation waveshaper to add even harmonics to the sound. Adjust the "tube" parameter to control the amount of harmonics added. This can add warmth and drive to the kick drum.
- Apply compression to control the dynamics of the kick drum. Experiment with the knee parameter to achieve the desired compression characteristics. The mode knob can be used to switch between feedback and feed-forward topologies.
- Take advantage of the provided tips to refine your kick drum sound. For example, hide the visualizer to reduce clutter and focus on the envelopes, smooth out low-frequency peaks with longer attack and release settings in the compressor, and adjust the filter envelope while modifying carrier frequency and modulator ratio envelopes.
- Lastly, don't forget to save your customized kick drum sound as a preset within Kick Machine 2 for future use.
By exploring the various parameters, envelopes, and tips provided, you can create unique and powerful kick drum sounds using the Kick Machine 2 in Ableton Live. Experiment, tweak, and have fun exploring the possibilities of this versatile Max4Live device!
Further Thoughts
Usage Example: Creating a Punchy Kick Drum with Kick Machine 2
Kick Machine 2 is a powerful Kick Drum Synthesizer that allows you to create custom kick drum sounds from scratch. Let's explore how we can use this device to create a punchy kick drum for our track.
- Start by adding Kick Machine 2 to a MIDI track in Ableton Live. Open the device and navigate to the "Sub" page.
- On the "Sub" page, tweak the partials (octave harmonics) to add depth and character to your kick drum. Experiment with different combinations to find the desired tone.
- Use the multi-envelopes to shape the pitch, amplitude, and cutoff of the Sallen-Key lowpass filter. This gives you control over the dynamics and the tone of your kick drum.
- Switch to the "Click" page to add some attack and high-frequency content to your kick drum. The FM oscillator can generate enharmonic midrange spikes, while the pink noise source adds additional texture.
- Adjust the carrier frequency and modulator ratio envelopes to sculpt the FM (PM) oscillator's frequencies over the course of the cycle. This creates a unique and punchy midrange cluster in your kick drum.
- Use the bandpass filter on the "Click" page to shape the frequency content of your click. The resonant low-pass filter cutoff frequency can be controlled with an envelope, while the high-pass filter has a static knob.
- Now, switch to the final page, which consists of two effects: a saturation waveshaper and a compressor. These effects will add warmth and control to your kick drum.
- Adjust the saturation "tube" parameter to add even harmonics and give your kick drum more character. Experiment with different values to find the right balance.
- Use the compressor to control the dynamics of your kick drum. Try different knee settings to achieve the desired compression characteristics, ranging from a fast VCA compressor to a smooth Opto or Vari-mu compressor.
- Pay attention to the visual feedback provided by Kick Machine 2. The waveform visualizer helps you see the shape of your kick drum, and the gain reduction curve on the FX page helps you monitor the compression.
By following these steps and exploring the various parameters and envelopes in Kick Machine 2, you can create a punchy kick drum that matches your track's style and adds depth to your music production. Enjoy experimenting with this versatile Max4Live device in Ableton Live!