Knocktonal is a note-based resonance amplifier that allows users to increase (or decrease) resonance as well as the corresponding harmonic overtones. Simply put, Knocktonal lets you tune your drums with an EQ without having to re-pitch the samples.
This can be quite useful, as a destructive pitch change or pitch shift often negatively affects the tonality of the sound. This may include unwanted amplification of transients, texture, attack and decay of sounds.
Knocktonal allows you to control these resonant boosts/cuts statically or dynamically via automation or MIDI input, the latter of which can create an incredibly unique melodic pitch boost. Knocktonal can also be used to turn simple drum sounds like short kicks into long-tailed 808s by narrowing the Q resonance control (#10 in the plugin overview).
SUBTRACTIVE EQ:
The Knocktonal subtractive EQ section is designed to remove any unwanted resonant frequencies that pre-exist in the audio you’re working with. This is useful for achieving a “clean slate” before amplifying any new resonances. Like the plug-in’s additive resonance section, the subtractive EQ can be controlled in a number of ways. First, statically, by simply setting the note and leaving it. This is useful for instantaneous drum sounds that are the same throughout the performance. The subtractive EQ can also be controlled dynamically for sounds with shifting resonance, such as melodic performances. This can be done in two ways. First, by using automation, and second, by sending a MIDI signal to MIDI channel 2 of the plugin.
RESONANCE EQ:
The resonant EQ section is where the power of Knocktonal really shines. This is the main place where the usage will take place. The resonant equalizer is designed to affect the root note and all accompanying harmonic overtones, both odd and even. You can also set the resonant EQ to octave mode by deactivating the Overtones button, which allows you to control all octaves of the root note. Like the subtractive EQ, the additive resonant EQ can be controlled statically or dynamically via automation or MIDI input.
- Resonance Note – This bubble knob is both a note selector, determining which note to add resonance to, and a gain control to increase the volume of the selected resonant note. This note can also be selected using the keyboard part of the plug-in interface, and can also be controlled via MIDI input using MIDI channel 1.
- Keyboard – The keyboard is used as a display showing which notes have been selected for the resonant EQ (displayed permanently)
and subtractive EQ (displayed dynamically when working with subtractive controls). - Focus – resonant equalizer focus frequency.
When the link button (#9) is enabled, this focus frequency will always follow the note/octave selected on the main note bubble or keyboard. With the link button off, this parameter allows you to adjust the location of the center resonant frequency, including between octaves. - Range – Resonance Focus Width The EQ determines how much resonance is added to higher and lower octaves, or harmonics if overtone mode is on.
- Link – The link button fixes the focus frequency on the selected root note.
- Q – Bandwidth of the resonant equalizer. When the resonant bands are narrowed enough, this creates a long tail, allowing the drum sounds to stretch out. This is very useful for kick drums to convert them to 808s.
- Bands – Number of resonant equalizer bands. This parameter is available only when the Overtones mode is on and allows you to select from 1 to 30 bands for resonances.
- Blend – Blending even and odd overtones. When
the knob is turned all the way to the left, only odd-order harmonics are present. To the right – only harmonics of an even order. - Overtones – This button toggles between Overtones mode and Octave mode. When the button is off, only octaves of the root note are boosted (for example, every instance of F#).