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Writer's pictureMichael Joyce

KNOCK Plugin Review (Plugins That Knock): Is It Worth It?

KNOCK is a new plugin developed by platinum music producer DECAP, who is famous for his incredible Drums That Knock sample series among many other professional accolades.

KNOCK Plugin by Plugins That Knock (Decap)

This plugin's main purpose is - you guessed it - to make your drums KNOCK. All the effects are designed to help your drums cut through your mix and give your track a more full-bodied punch. That said, let's dive into our KNOCK plugin review and walk through everything this plugin has to offer.


KNOCK Features


The KNOCK plugin consists of 5 main effect modules:

  • PUNCH: This module is a transient shaper, which will increase the attack of your drum sounds, making them hit harder and cut through your mix more effectively.

  • SATURATE: This module adds distortion/saturation to your drum sounds, which can add subtle harmonics and warmth or add aggressive distortion on drums or bass/808s depending on the type of saturation selected (soft, medium, or hard) and the amount of the effect applied.

  • SUB: This module generates a sub-bass frequency every time a kick drum is detected, giving your drums a more pronounced low-end. You're able to select the pitch of the sub frequency so you can match it to the key of your song and control how long you want the decay to last.

  • AIR: This module adds a bit more high-end crisp to your drums, which helps them to cut through the mix. You're able to toggle between 2 air modes, Vintage and Clean, which each offer their own subtle differences in character.

  • CLIP: This module is a clipper, which allows you to add perceived volume and width to your drums without clipping or going into "the red." You're also able to control how hard or soft you want the clipping to occur with the hard/soft slider.

There's also an EQ control built into the plugin along with a Dry/Wet slider that allows you to control the overall strength of the effects.


Check out the video below which demos all of KNOCK's features:


KNOCK Price and Compatibility


The KNOCK plugin is currently priced at $79, a price cut from the original $99 price tag. At the moment, there is no free trial for the plugin.


Regarding compatibility, KNOCK is supported by all major DAWs in 64-bit VST3, AU and AAX formats. The system requirements for the plugin are listed below:


Mac

  • macOS 10.12 Sierra and later (Intel / M1 Apple Silicon supported) (64-bit only)

  • AU, VST3, AAX

  • Intel Core i5, i7, i9, Xeon, Apple M1

  • 8 GB RAM required (16 GB recommended)

  • 500 MB Minimum Hard Disk Space

Windows

  • Windows 8.1 and later (64-bit only)

  • VST3, AAX

  • 8 GB RAM required (16 GB recommended)

  • Intel Core i5, i7, i9, Xeon (all Gen 5 and above), AMD Quad Core

  • 500 MB Minimum Hard Disk Space

KNOCK Pros and Cons


Pros

  • It acts as 5+ plugins in 1 easy-to-use package

  • Designed by a well-respected producer/sound designer

  • Lightweight/not heavy on CPU

  • You can use it on instruments as well - not just drums

  • It works as advertised - it makes your drums KNOCK

Cons

  • No free trial option

  • Many of the effects can be achieved using various stock plugins

  • It's a tad bit expensive

Conclusion


In my opinion, Decap hit a home run with this plugin. Personally, I use KNOCK on my drum bus for every single track I make. A lot of times, it's the only plugin I use on my drum bus - it's that powerful. If you're someone that prioritizes punchy, hard-hitting drums in your tracks, I couldn't recommend this plugin more.


Enjoyed this guide? Make sure to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials Guide or some of our reviews/buyer's guides.


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