D16 Group

The latest kick drum plugin on the block,
PunchBox takes a similar approach to that of
its closest rival, Sonic Academy’s Kick 2, mixing
a synthesised layer with three sample layers,
then processing the result with efects, to create
sonically rich bass drums of all kinds – although
in this case, the synth can be switched out for
yet another sampler, too. In total, 1100 samples
are involved, produced by CFA Sound and
Sounds of Revolution.
The body of the signal is built in the central
Kick module, ofering a choice of Roland
TR808, TR909 and TR606 emulations, a
sine wave generator and a sampler (see Four
to the floor). Here, you’ll also ind switches for
activating velocity sensitivity for all modules
and keytracking for the Kick module only.
The other three modules are sample-based,
each coming with its own huge library of
sounds. Click gives access to over 100 high-
frequency transients, Tops deals with more
sustained high-frequency content (349
samples), and Tools adds an assortment of
other sonic components – over 500 of them,
consisting of sub bass, crackle, noise, etc. The
three are identical in their control sets, except
that Click lacks a Sample Start parameter
– levels, panning and Stereo Spread are
adjustable, along with high- and low-pass ilters,
pitch and Decay. You can load your own samples
into them, too, of course, should you somehow
not be able to ind anything suitable among
those included.
Four to the fl oor
The four source modules are independently
processed by PunchBox’s four efects, the
amount of signal sent to each one determined
by the modules’ Send knobs. The point in the
efects chain at which the unprocessed and
processed signals are mixed can be placed
anywhere in the chain, and by default it’s after
FX4, immediately prior to the Master Limiter.
The efects are reorderable by dragging, and
each one has its own menu of presets.
Bitcrusher incorporates both bitcrushing and
sample rate reduction (down to 44Hz), and
features a Resampling Filter for smoothing
things out post processing. Distortion lets you
choose one of six clipping curves, and includes
Contour, Tone and pre-saturation compression
controls; while the resonant Filter is a
multimode model (LP/HP/BP) with 12dB and
24dB/octave slope options. The three-band
Equalizer has a sweepable Mid band
(100Hz-10kHz) lanked by High (5kHz) and Low
(100Hz) shelves; and, inally, the Master Limiter
compresses PunchBox’s output at a ratio of 1:inf
when activated, and provides VU-style Gain
Reduction and Output metering.
The only criticisms we can level at PunchBox
are that the controls can be a bit iddly, and
there’s no visual indication given when a
module is in Solo mode – the Activity lights just
go out on the others. Other than that, with its
enormous sample library, intuitive but extensive
parameters and efects, and 800 tagged
presets, it’s a bass drum design powerhouse,
and hours are easily lost blending and tweaking
the four layers in the quest for the perfect kick.
As with other plugins of its kind, though, proper
understanding of what makes a good bass drum
sound is a prerequisite, and if you’re happy
enough using prefab kick samples, it could be
considered overkill.
Web www.d16.pl
D16 Group
PunchBox €79
With quite a few dedicated kick drum plugins now on the
market, this new one needs to pack plenty of… well, punch!
Verdict
For Versatile four-module architecture
Simple but efective synth modules
Excellent efects
Massive library of samples and presets
Randomise function and WAV export
Against Soloing could be more
visually obvious
Tiny controls can be iddly
There’s quite possibly no conceivable
kick drum sound for electronic
music that PunchBox couldn’t create !
9 / 1 0
Alternatively
Sonic Academy Kick 2
233 » 9/10 » £50
Very similar in architecture to
PunchBox. We’re torn between them
Plugin Boutique BigKick
205 » 9/10 » £40
Takes a diferent approach to its
rivals and costs quite a bit less
Coming from the developers of the Nepheton
and Drumazon TR808/909 emulations, it’s
no surprise that the four synths of
PunchBox’s Kick module sound fantastic.
Three Roland models supply a trio of classic
drum machine kicks – 606, 808 and 909 –
each with all the controls of the real thing,
plus a few additions, such as the 808’s Sweep
Time, and the 909’s Pitch and Tune Depth.
Even more useful than those, though, is the
Sine Generator. This is the creative core of
PunchBox, enabling the construction and
shaping of a raw sine wave tone that, due to
its purity, is particularly viable for stacking
with samples from the other modules. Set its
start and end frequencies, speed and shape
of the sweep, and Attack, Hold, Release times.
The Kick module can also be set to Sample
mode, drawing on over 200 diverse built-in
sounds or allowing import, with controls for
adjusting level, start point, tuning, stereo
width, envelope and low-pass ilter cutof.
Four to the fl oor
2
MINUTES
WITH…
VIDEO
Autumn 2016 / COMPUTER MUSIC / 97
d16 group punchbox / reviews <
CMU235.rev_punchbox.indd 97 17/08/2016 16:55