Pricing and availability

* Showing prices and availability for the newer version, Sonic Academy Kick 2.

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Description

Unlock the full potential of your drum tracks with the Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin. Designed in collaboration with the renowned DJ and producer Nicky Romero, this plugin is a powerhouse tool for both beginners and seasoned professionals seeking to create powerful, punchy kick drums. Built specifically to streamline the process of drum synthesis, it offers users the ability to craft unique drum sounds with precision and ease.

The KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin stands out with its advanced waveform generation capabilities, allowing for the synthesis of kicks that can be fully customized to match your unique sound. Whether you're looking to replicate the sound of a classic 808 or create something entirely new, this tool offers an intuitive interface and a host of features that make the process both fun and rewarding. With its extensive library of presets designed by Nicky Romero himself, you'll have a solid foundation to work from or the freedom to experiment and innovate.

Key Features:

  • Advanced waveform generation for custom kick creation
  • Collaboration with Nicky Romero ensures professional-grade sound design
  • Intuitive interface for seamless workflow
  • Extensive library of Nicky Romero-designed presets
  • Comprehensive control over pitch, length, and distortion
  • Built-in EQ and compressor for refined sound shaping
  • Compatible with major DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations)
  • Low CPU usage for efficient performance

Product specs

Plugin Format AU, VST
Nicky Romero

Nicky Romero

Nicky Romero - KICK (Sonic Academy Plug-in)

Video thumbnail for Nicky Romero - KICK (Sonic Academy Plug-in) by Nicky Romero

Nicky Romero - KICK (Sonic Academy Plug-in)

Nicky Romero

Nicky Romero

Video thumbnail for KICK Plug in - Nicky Romero Edition Walkthrough by Sonic Academy

KICK Plug in - Nicky Romero Edition Walkthrough

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy

Video thumbnail for KICK Plug in - Nicky Romero Edition by Sonic Academy by Sonic Academy

KICK Plug in - Nicky Romero Edition by Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy

Video thumbnail for KICK Plug in - Nicky Romero Edition Presets Demo by Sonic Academy

KICK Plug in - Nicky Romero Edition Presets Demo

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy

Reviews

PROS

  • Visually intuitive interface for customizing kick drum waveforms

  • Comprehensive pitch control for precise tuning to track key

  • Import and customize click samples for tailored high-end percussion

  • Wide variety of presets suitable for multiple genres

  • Streamlined workflow enhances efficiency in kick production

  • High-quality sound design capability for unique kick creation

  • Exceptional value for money at an affordable price point

  • Helps eliminate reliance on pre-made kick samples

  • Enables creation of diverse kick sounds like Dubstep, Trap, and House

  • Clean, user-friendly interface with effective line-and-dot visualization

CONS

  • No drag-and-drop sample import from DAW

  • Graphical overlays for volume and pitch positioning are missing

  • Some presets, like Nicky Romero's, may not meet all preferences

  • Initial learning curve may be challenging for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin.

Features and functionality

  • Sonic Academy's Kick plugin excels in customizing the sine sweep for kick bodies, providing a unique level of control for low-end design.

    Source
  • Kick offers comprehensive options for tuning and shaping kick sounds, but certain features, like its EQ, are considered less essential by some users.

    Source
  • The Nicky Romero Kick plugin includes a preset pack that can be purchased for Kick 2, enhancing its versatility and appeal.

    Source
  • The plugin interface highlights notes and frequencies side by side, aiding in precise kick frequencies visualization, which some users find more intuitive than other plugins.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Kick by Sonic Academy is noted as superior to BigKick, especially for crafting customized sine sweeps and kick bodies, despite some users finding its interface cumbersome.

    Source
  • Metrum by Vengeance Sound is mentioned as a more versatile alternative to Kick, suggesting that while Kick is favored for its specific strengths, other plugins might offer broader functionality.

    Source
  • Kick 2 is regarded as superior to the Nicky Romero edition, offering advancements and improvements in its capabilities for EDM production.

    Source
  • Some users find the Nicky Romero KICK GUI more thoughtfully designed than Bazzism, noting the advantage of visible notes and frequencies for better sound shaping.

    Source
  • Although similar to Bazzism, this plugin is noted for its aesthetic and functional GUI improvements, appealing to those who value visual design in their workflow.

    Source
  • The plugin is priced at $40, aligning it with Bazzism in terms of cost, positioning it competitively within the market.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the visual pitch envelope in Kick, making it easier to manage fundamental low-end frequencies compared to manual synth processes.

    Source
  • Many users express strong enthusiasm for Kick 2, often recommending it as an essential purchase for those seeking high-quality kick drum synthesis.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Some users note the lack of a HiPass filter for click samples in Kick, which can be a limitation for those looking to use their own samples.

    Source
  • Kick 2 is identified as the successor to the Nicky Romero edition, suggesting improved software features and user interface enhancements.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Users find Kick useful for dynamically linking parameters to velocity, allowing for more expressive and playable kick drum sounds.

    Source
  • A user expressed interest in using the plugin to enhance the top end and clicks of kicks, attracted by Nicky Romero's reputation for punchy kick sounds.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Nicky Romero KICK Synth - Gearjunkies Review - Gearjunkies - Music tech news, Reviews, Videos, Synthesizers, Studio, Recording

gearjunkies.com

The Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin delivers on its promise of crafting big, versatile kick drums with ease. Its user-friendly interface allows for seamless navigation through a range of presets and customization options, catering to both novice and experienced producers. The plugin's standout feature is its innovative click and kick separation, complemented by a clever distortion unit that shapes tones precisely. While the plugin excels with EDM kicks, it might not suit those seeking more traditional or acoustic drum sounds. Overall, it's a robust tool for electronic producers, offering both flexibility and a wealth of creative potential.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 44 Reviews and 191 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
1

Just wish there were more tutorials.

This plugin is okay, but really hard to get the hang of.

B

Pretty cool, would like better distortion

I've made some nice kicks with this plugin. The distortion isn't too great, but I just use a different distortion plugin.

jonatan_f

The best kick processor I have used and its so cheap too

The best kick processor I have used and its so cheap too. I love the line-and-dot-interface

druce

A must for all my beats

This is just amazing. a must in all my productions.

djardjo

the best kick plugin it makes kick designing way easyer

neryko

Your kick library in one awesome plug in!

Really good vst for kick modeling, saves me a bunch of time and improved my workflow!

J

Enhance your kick samples with an awesome sound bank

I got this when I came out and I love it. It has an awesome bank and It helps make my kick samples better!

ryker

Easy customization and fantastic presets for perfect kicks

Has a ton of awesome presets, really easy to customize and get a perfect kick.

officialforce2k

Good

I haven't used it a lot but it's a great VST

socalhoun

Great Plugin

Great Plugin for designing kicks. Useful for more than just EDM as welll.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Deadmau5 uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Deadmau5

Music Producer

BSOD

...
Verified via Photo

Deadmau5 can be seen using the Nicky Romero KICK plugin in this screenshot.

See how Avicii uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Avicii

Music Producer

Jovicii

...
Verified via YouTube

Avicii's name can be clearly seen at 0:19 in this YouTube video of the anouncement of Kick 2, by Sonic Academy.

See how David Guetta uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

David Guetta

Music Producer

Africanism All Stars

...
Verified via Sonicacademy

David Guetta praises the Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin, calling it a "total game changer" on SonicAcademy.com.

See how Alesso uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Alesso

Music Producer

...
Verified via Twitter

". @josealexanderr i love the waves plugins. and the new @nickyromero kick drum plugin #AskAlesso1R"

See how Madeon uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Madeon

Music Producer

...
Verified via Sonicacademy

Madeon praises the Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin for its deep functionalities and ergonomic layout, highlighting its effectiveness for crafting tonal kicks. This endorsement is featured on Sonic Academy's "KICK Drum Synthesiser - Artists and Reviews" page.

See how The Chainsmokers uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

The Chainsmokers

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via MusicRadar

In this interview with Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers, he mentions that this popular drum synthesizer is one of his favorites.

See how Deniz Koyu uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Deniz Koyu

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

At 9:25 in this "Steinberg Studio Sessions EP10 - Deniz Koyu" video Deniz used it.

See how Don Diablo uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Don Diablo

Music Producer, DJ

Dragonette

...
Verified via Sonic Academy

Don Diablo is one of the artist that use KICK. You can see him in the list with artist who use this plug-in.

See how Sick Individuals uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Sick Individuals

Music Producer

...
Verified via Facebook

Sick Individuals demonstrate their use of the Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin in a Facebook video captioned "Making a new kick!"

See how Morgan Page uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Morgan Page

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 5:09 in this video, Morgan Page says'that this kick drum synthesizer ''is really good with good presets and this item can be seen at 5:25.

See how Merk & Kremont uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Merk & Kremont

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Merk & Kremont are shown using the Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin in a photo featured on their Facebook timeline.

See how Chocolate Puma uses Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin

Chocolate Puma

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

"Best Kick plugin ever! @nickyromero"

Album Usage

The Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sonic Academy Nicky Romero KICK Drum Synthesiser Plugin, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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