MIDI instrument
Kickienators generates audio from MIDI note-on events. It supports mono or stereo output and reports a 2.5-second tail for long settings.
v0.1 candidate manual
Kickienators
MIDI-triggered synth-kick instrument for shaping pitch, tail, transient, body and drive from the source. This manual follows the current 15 host-parameter Windows x64 VST3 contract.
First kick
Quick start
- Load Kickienators on an instrument track and send it MIDI notes.
- Set Tune for the kick's settled fundamental.
- Use Pitch Drop and Pitch Decay for the initial downward sweep.
- Set Amp Decay for tail length.
- Blend Click, Click Noise, Body and Sub Weight.
- Add Drive and Glue, then level-match with Output before comparing.
Quality
Eco, 2x and 4x control the internal synth/saturation processing. Quality is not a host-automatable parameter; 4x is the compatibility default for legacy state.
Analyzer
The 64-band log spectrum display from 20 Hz to 20 kHz is visual feedback only. It does not change sound, parameters, presets or saved state.
Pitch and envelope
Host-visible controls
Tune25 to 95 Hz base frequency; default 53 Hz.
Pitch Drop0 to 72 semitones above the base tone at the start of the hit.
Pitch Decay5 to 180 ms pitch-fall time.
Amp Decay40 to 1500 ms tail length.
Velocity SensAmount of MIDI velocity response for level and pitch behavior.
HumanizeSmall per-hit pitch, level and decay variation.
Transient and weight
Character controls
ClickLevel of the short transient at the front of the kick.
Click NoiseFiltered noise grit for a harsher front edge.
Click ToneBrightness and high-frequency character of the transient.
BodyLow-end weight after synthesis.
Sub WeightExtra octave-lower sine contribution.
DriveTanh overdrive before tone shaping.
GlueSimple kick compression.
Output-24 to +12 dB final gain into the output safety stage.
BypassClears output and resets active voices when bypassed.
Starting directions
Factory programs
PunchFocused impact starting point.
Click 909Sharper transient direction.
BoomLonger, weight-led direction.
Acid HouseClassic house-flavoured direction.
HardcoreDriven hardcore direction.
G# ReferenceReference-tuned project direction.
Hardcore IIAlternative aggressive direction.
Current evidence
Compatibility status
FormatWindows x64 VST3 MIDI instrument.
Automated matrix44.1, 48 and 96 kHz; block sizes 1 through 2048; pluginval strictness 10.
BitwigHistorical manual host proof exists, but the current DPI candidate still needs exact-hash install and Bitwig proof before release.
Other hostsREAPER is the minimum second manual target; Ableton Live, Cubase or Studio One remain optional validation hosts.
Troubleshooting
No kick?
Confirm the plugin is on an instrument track, MIDI reaches it, Bypass is off and Output is audible. Test a single note in a fresh project before checking complex routing.