KVR Audio

Sollyd · Post by **Sollyd** » Wed Nov 19, 2025 3:04 pm

Hello dear forum dwellers

I didn't spend enough time on my kicks yet. I was set on buying kick3 this black friday and start with a proper leg workout.

However, I just accidentally bought everything from D16 and now I wonder if I should spend my precious time learning to synthesize bass drums in kick3 or mastering punchbox.

For context, I like and produce many music genres but I absolutely love fierce, warm, rumbly techno kicks. It seems like this is what I get out of the box from kick3 but I never heard bad things about punchbox either.

I'd appreciate advise on whether they supplement each other or if I best spend time to master one tool to kick them all.

- Sollyd

HOTF · Post by **HOTF** » Wed Nov 19, 2025 3:51 pm

Punchbox is about to get a big new update soon(ish). I also have both. Kick is more powerful but I end up tweaking parameters a lot in it. In punchbox, I usually get to the sound I like faster and move on. I would say I prefer punchbox just because I tend to overthink less working with it but I would not say it's ''better''.

pekbro · Post by **pekbro** » Wed Nov 19, 2025 5:36 pm

I think Kick is more useful, too much going on in Punchbox that’s not really necessary imo. YMMV.

I like the new Low plugin from BEATSURFING a lot as well. KickDrum 2 from Audija is good too.

I have and use them all though.

Hettoblaster · Post by **Hettoblaster** » Wed Nov 19, 2025 5:54 pm

As being said, Punchbox is receiving an update 'soon'. it was 'soon' already in July or so, so should be really soon now, maybe..
I'm holding on my unused Punchbox license (Kick 3 is more useful now) because d16 told me in an email PB udate is gonna be > Kick3

I'm curious what they will deliver...

_leras · Post by **_leras** » Thu Nov 20, 2025 6:53 pm

I lean to kick 3.

I don't really need/want the FX in punchbox, and so it skews the UI as having a less space for the things I want in focus.

Kick 3 UI is more utilitarian, in a good way. Especially it is good to be able to tune the tail easily.

Both can sound great though. (As can the many kick samples most people have)

Igro · Post by **Igro** » Fri Nov 21, 2025 5:36 pm

Kick 3's envelopes are so tweakable, that I would rather get Punchbox to not waste time with thise surgical tweakings. But it depends on what we get in v3.

sQeetz · Post by **sQeetz** » Sun Nov 23, 2025 7:20 am

I'd say Kick 3 is more relatable to Sinee's Chop Suey.
I love Punchbox,though... so that would be my choice

_leras · Post by **_leras** » Sun Nov 23, 2025 7:45 am

Igro wrote: Fri Nov 21, 2025 5:36 pm Kick 3's envelopes are so tweakable, that I would rather get Punchbox to not waste time with thise surgical tweakings. But it depends on what we get in v3.

It's probably just the pitch envelope that make you think it's surgical and you don't even need to change that unless you want to, and if you do want to tweak it it's right there... I'd say it was flexible and easy to adjust.

morphex · Post by **morphex** » Mon Nov 24, 2025 6:20 pm

Kick 3 has the surgical tools that I need for detail-oriented mixes. But if you don’t need that kind of precision, Punchbox can easily deliver the hefty techno kicks that you’re after.

eassae · Post by **eassae** » Mon Nov 24, 2025 8:33 pm

I've used both extensively. I'd say Kick 3 is the best tool for the job.

Big DAW Audio · Post by **Big DAW Audio** » Tue Nov 25, 2025 6:09 am

Kick 3 is great! Kick Ninja is also a strong contender (I really like how it can re-synthesize other kicks quickly)

Sollyd · Post by **Sollyd** » Thu Nov 27, 2025 11:00 pm

Thank you so much for all the great feedback! I'm giving punchbox a chance. I don't get the exact same sound as with kick3 yet, but I'm already pretty happy with it after taking some time to tweak around.

Marvinh · Post by **Marvinh** » Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:19 am

Hi recently released an update for my free kick drum utility “for kicks” sound great when layering with samples and on its own. If you guys want to give it a spin https://Bzarvin.com/forkicks

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:38 am

Marvinh wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:19 am Hi recently released an update for my free kick drum utility “for kicks” sound great when layering with samples and on its own. If you guys want to give it a spin https://Bzarvin.com/forkicks

I just quoted you for the 'Freeware VSTeffects roundup 64-bit' Thread.
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 6#p9161366

Marvinh · Post by **Marvinh** » Fri Nov 28, 2025 2:26 am

Aloysius wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:38 am
Marvinh wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:19 am Hi recently released an update for my free kick drum utility “for kicks” sound great when layering with samples and on its own. If you guys want to give it a spin https://Bzarvin.com/forkicks
I just quoted you for the 'Freeware VSTeffects roundup 64-bit' Thread.
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 6#p9161366

Thank you much appreciated!

Punchbox vs. Kick3