Introducing the Knocktonal Knocktonal is a note-based resonance amplifier that allows users to boost (or cut) resonances and their corresponding harmonic overtones. Simply put, Knocktonal lets you tune your drums with an EQ without having to re-adjust the pitch of your samples. This can be quite helpful, as a destructive pitch change or pitch shift often negatively affects the tonality of sounds. This can include unwanted boost of transients, texture, attack and decay of your sounds.
Knocktonal lets you control these resonant boosts / cuts statically or dynamically via automation or MIDI input, the latter of which can create an incredibly unique sounding melodic pitch boost. Knocktonal can also be used to turn simple drum sounds such as short kicks into 808s with a long tail by narrowing the resonant Q control. All plugin controls have tooltips that will appear as pop-ups when you hover the mouse cursor for 2 seconds.
The Knocktonal subtractive EQ section is designed to remove any unwanted resonating frequencies that are present in the sound you are working with. This is useful for achieving a “blank slate” before amplifying any new resonances. As with the plug-in’s additive resonance section, the subtractive EQ can be controlled in several ways. First, statically, by simply setting the note and leaving it. This is useful for single drum sounds that are identical throughout the entire performance. The subtractive EQ can also be controlled dynamically for sounds with shifting resonance, such as melodic performance. This can be done in two ways. Firstly, using automation, and secondly, by sending a MIDI signal to MIDI channel 2 of the plug-in.
The resonant EQ section really shows the power of the Knocktonal. This is the main place where it will be used. The Resonant EQ is designed to emphasize the root note and all accompanying harmonic overtones, both odd and even. You can also set the resonant EQ to Octave mode by disabling the Overtones button, which allows you to control all octaves of the root note. As with the Subtractive EQ, the Additive Resonant EQ can be controlled both statically and dynamically via automation or MIDI input.
Keyboard – Used as a display showing which notes have been selected for both the resonant EQ (displayed permanently) and and for a subtractive equalizer (displayed dynamically when interacting with subtractive controls).
Focus – focusing the frequency of the resonant equalizer.
When the link button (# 9) is on, focus will always follow the note / octave selected on the root note or on the keyboard. When disabled, this parameter allows you to control where the center resonance frequency is, including between octaves.
Range – the width of the resonant EQ focusing, which determines how much of the resonance is added to either the upper and lower octaves, or to the harmonics if the overtone mode is on.
Link button – locks the focus frequency to the selected base note.
Q is the bandwidth of the resonant equalizer. When the resonance bands are narrowed enough, a long tail is formed, allowing kicks to stretch. This is very useful for bass drums to convert to 808s.
Bands– The number of resonant equalizer bands. This parameter is only available when overtone mode is on and allows you to select from 1 to 30 bands for resonances.
Blend – Blends odd and even overtones. When the
knob is pushed all the way to the left, only odd order harmonics are present. On the right – only even harmonics.
Overtones – This button toggles between Overtones and Octave modes. When the button is off, only the base note octaves are increased (for example, every instance of F #).