With funky styling, real analogue circuits, and loads of control, McDSP’s latest offering could be the last word in authentic recallable crunch. We hook up the Big Green Box to check out the latest flavour for the APB system.
In Summary
KD1 Kinetic Drive is a control plugin for saturation that happens on the APB rackmount analogue processor. Offering three saturation flavours, plus control over things like circuit behaviour, it promises comprehensive real analogue mojo that is recallable from the DAW.
Going Deeper
Real Analogue - What’s The Point?
For all the clarity and accuracy digital recording has to offer, for lots of reasons the sound of analogue for many is the sound of recorded music. Chasing the Sound Of Imperfection is as old as the DAW itself with many well-regarded audio plugin tools getting the engineer most of the way there. Many of these have (and will) posses the ability to convince the listener in context, so why bother with the real thing?
For those who still own and run analogue gear specifically to get the sound the answer is simple: because it sounds great and because it’s right there. More recently, a number of standalone boxes have sprung up to scratch the analogue itch. Whether old classic or engineered mojo maker, these devices almost exclusively lack the DAW’s trump cards: Easy recall and automation. Many would add to that analogue’s power and space premium as its disadvantages, as well as its maintenance needs that can make some gear a mixed blessing.
KD1 Kinetic Drive
Earlier in 2023, we got our hands on McDSP’s APB. This green box of tricks finally gives engineers recallable analogue processing with a purely ITB workflow. You can read all about APB and how it works, as well as hear its palette of plugins right here when we took it for a spin.
KD1 Kinetic Drive takes the Moo Mixer’s Saturation knob and fully exploits the gamut ABP’s analogue crunchy delicacies, letting the engineer delve deep with extra controls for tonality and circuit behaviours too.
KD1 Kinetic Drive Controls And Features:
Drive - This is the gain before the saturation circuitry. As Drive is increased, the response of Kinetics also increases.
Drive Buttons: FWD selects a more treble-centric response, RWD selects more bass-centric, and AWD provides full-spectrum performance. Each Drive Type runs through its own different analogue distortion circuit.
Kinetics - Affects analogue circuit behaviour such as signal compression and voltage supply reaction. Turning Kinetics to its minimum effectively turns it off, producing a less dynamic sound, with maximum values producing a more dynamic sound. The KD1 voltage meter indicates how much Kinetics processing is occurring.
Focus - Focus sets the frequency where additional saturation will occur. The Focus Amount determines how much more saturation will occur at the selected Focus frequency.
Wet and Dry signal level adjustment.
Formats - AAX Native, AU, VST3.
Included with APB hardware purchase.
In the video we take KD1 Kinetic Drive out for a spin. Playing with its dashboard controls (while keeping a clear eye on the road at all times), we explore the three APB analogue hardware circuits deployed on drums, bass and a classically over-perfect VI piano sound. These are AWD (wideband) on drums, RWD (bass-centric) on bass, and FWD (top-centric) on piano. We also take a look at its intriguing Kinetics control that elevates KD1 with authentic reactivity. This goes far beyond the simple More or Less options on other tools.
McDSP On KD1 Kinetic Drive
We asked McDSP’s Founder, Colin McDowell, about the latest processor for APB. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, we asked him why the team at McDSP created it. We also asked him to expand on what KD1 does differently as compared to the other options out there.
The APB excels at bringing great saturation-based nuances into any audio production. So why not give the user an APB plug-in dedicated to that purpose? Enter the KD1 !!! Who wouldn't want to have real analog saturation and distortion in their projects, under complete software control, instantly recallable and fully automatable? Woo hoo!!!
Real analog saturation is definitely a talking point when it comes to the KD1 (or any APB plug-in). The sound is great and does not 'overload' when hit hard. Even material already distorted/saturated (ie guitars!!!) sound better with some KD1 on it. With no fewer than three Drive types and the ability to focus saturation on a portion of the frequency spectrum, there is plenty to explore right there with the KD1. The Kinetics feature provides a way to add in a dynamic response as you reach the saturation 'edge' of the algorithm.
Overdrive Or Overkill?
The first thing that grabs you about KD1 Kinetic Drive, inevitably, is its distinctive sports car dashboard, but as soon as you start to run signals through it the auto-centric names on the buttons and dials actually make using KD1 more intuitive. After all, “Wideband Saturation Circuit” is harder to fit on the button and not everyone wants to read the manual on the way there…
The AWD, FWD, and RWD modes add flexibility, reminiscent of flavours available on other products. The fact that each has its own discrete circuit in the box does however give each something that sounds like much more than ‘just’ a filter in front of the distortion…
Kinetic Drive, the control at the centre of KD1, is for me the thing puts it ahead of the others in terms of controllable saturation. Being able to vary the amount of saturation-related compression is really nice, and the fact that its not happening in DSP does give the whole package an authenticity that’s easy to love.
Earlier in 2023 I took a wider look at the APB universe and concluded that there must be a good reason for its existence. When one of the biggest names in audio DSP to put its energies into designing and building analogue hardware processing that could be done more easily in the box, there must be an advantage. Yes there is the sound, but ultimately, when buried in a mix the listener is more interested in the song. I think it’s in more saturated productions where lesser digi-distortions are going to break cover, and I would definitely prefer to have the real thing in the rack for those jobs. Up until now, that has involved gear that is even less aware of what a computer is than are some clients… APB is the box that knows what Automation and Save are. What’s not to like?
KD1 Kinetic Drive is a free addition to engineers who can stretch to APB’s premium big green glow. For those who don’t want to compromise on authenticity or convenience when it comes to their saturation, KD1 Kinetic Drive could be the only game in town.
A Word About This Article
As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.