KNOCK Audio KNOCK 2 Adds Compression and a Modular Drum Chain
KNOCK 2 rebuilds DECAP's drum processor with six reorderable modules, a new COMP and Zero Latency Mode. $119 at Plugin Boutique until 1 Dec, $49 upgrade.
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Knock Audio released KNOCK 2 on 3 November 2026, a ground-up rebuild of the drum processor from platinum producer and sound designer DECAP, the name behind the Drums That Knock sample series. The six-module chain now has a compressor, the modules can be dragged into any order, and each one gains its own character modes, input and mix controls. It is $119 at Plugin Boutique until 1 December 2026 (from $149), and KNOCK 1 owners can upgrade for $49.
At a glance: six reorderable modules (PUNCH, COMP, SATURATE, SUB, AIR, CLIP) with selectable modes and per-module MIX and INPUT; multiband transient shaping and compression; kick-tracking sub generator; PURR flutter effect, MAGIC preset button, Zero Latency and Linear Phase modes; AU, VST2, VST3 and AAX on macOS, VST3 and AAX on Windows. $119 at Plugin Boutique until 1 Dec, $49 upgrade, 7-day trial. A fast, loud, DECAP-flavoured drum chain, not a neutral mixing toolkit.
What is KNOCK 2?
KNOCK is a drum bus processor built to do in one window what most producers do with four or five plug-ins: shape transients, add harmonics, reinforce the low end, open the top and clip the peaks. KNOCK 2 keeps that idea and DECAP's sound, and existing KNOCK 1 settings carry over because it retains the same parameters, so old sessions and favourite settings still make sense.
What changes is control. In KNOCK 2 the chain is modular. The default order is PUNCH, COMP, SATURATE, SUB, AIR, CLIP, but you can switch any module off and drag the rest into the order you want. Saturating before the transient shaper gives a different result to shaping first and then driving the harmonics, and putting COMP before SATURATE changes how hard the distortion is hit. Every module also has selectable character Modes plus new MIX and INPUT controls, so you can blend each stage in parallel and set how hard it is driven without touching the rest of the chain.
The typical use is on a drum bus, a loop or a single kick or snare: load a DECAP preset, set the amount, and fine-tune the stages that matter for the beat you are working on.
The six modules, explained
PUNCH
PUNCH is the transient shaper, and it is now multiband. Instead of adding attack to the whole drum bus at once, you can sharpen the kick's click without making the hats spiky, or bring snares forward while keeping the low end steady. Knock Audio describes it as more comprehensive transient control than the original.
COMP
COMP is new in KNOCK 2. It is a dynamics module modelled on several classic hardware compressors, and it adds multiband processing. Having compression inside the chain, and movable within it, removes the most common reason to put another plug-in before or after KNOCK.
SATURATE
SATURATE adds harmonic distortion with perceived-loudness compensation, so turning it up adds density without simply making everything louder, which keeps your A/B judgements honest. Four new controls shape the character: GRIT, CREAM, BUMP and WEAR. BUMP is DECAP's answer to a familiar problem: saturation thinning out the low end. It puts back the weight that heavy drive tends to take away.
SUB
SUB detects the kick and generates a layered sub tone underneath it, which you can tune, for example to the key of the song. That is especially useful on breakbeats and sampled loops, where the original kick rarely sits in the right key or has enough low end. New DUCK, COLOR and LO CUT controls let you duck the sub, change its tone and clean up rumble below it.
AIR
AIR adds a smooth top end with five modes. In KNOCK 2 it becomes a dynamic EQ with stereo control, so the extra brightness responds to the material instead of lifting everything all the time, and you get stereo control over the top end.
CLIP
CLIP is the hard and soft clipper, last in the default chain. It now has a gain-reduction meter, so you can see how hard you are clipping, and three new modes: CRUNCH, ROUND and FRESH.
Global features: PURR, MAGIC and latency modes
Around the modules sit several new global tools:
- PURR is a flutter effect for movement and texture on loops and percussion.
- MAGIC generates new preset ideas in real time, a quick way out of a rut when the factory presets are close but not quite right.
- An intensity visualiser shows how hard the chain is working.
- Zero Latency Mode makes KNOCK 2 usable live.
- Linear Phase Mode for phase-linear processing when you want it.
- Much improved gain matching and a global MIX for parallel processing of the whole chain.
KNOCK 2 specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Modular drum processor (multi-effect) |
| Modules | PUNCH, COMP, SATURATE, SUB, AIR, CLIP; switchable, drag to reorder |
| Per-module controls | Character Modes, MIX, INPUT |
| Global | PURR flutter effect, MAGIC button, intensity visualiser, global MIX, gain matching |
| Latency and phase | Zero Latency Mode, Linear Phase Mode |
| Presets | Factory presets by DECAP; KNOCK 1 settings carry over |
| macOS formats | AU, VST2, VST3, AAX |
| macOS system | macOS 11 or later; Intel Core i5, i7, i9 or Xeon, or Apple Silicon M1 to M5 |
| Windows formats | VST3, AAX (64-bit) |
| Windows system | Windows 10 or 11; Intel Core i5 Gen 5 or above, or AMD quad core |
| RAM | 8 GB required, 16 GB recommended |
| Disk | 500 MB |
| Licence | Lifetime licence |
| Trial | Free 7-day full trial from knockaudio.com |
KNOCK 2 vs Saturn 2 vs Decapitator vs Thermal vs Transient Designer Plus
KNOCK 2 does not have a single like-for-like rival. The fair comparison is with the specialist plug-ins you would otherwise chain together to cover the same jobs.
| KNOCK 2 | FabFilter Saturn 2 | Soundtoys Decapitator | Output Thermal | SPL Transient Designer Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $119 until 1 Dec ($149 list) | $149 | $199 | $74.50 until 22 Nov (from $149) | $199 |
| Role | All-in-one drum chain | Multiband saturation | Analogue saturation | Multiband distortion | Transient shaping |
| Covers | Transients, compression, saturation, sub, top end, clipping | Saturation and distortion | Saturation | Distortion and sound design | Attack and sustain |
| Pick it if | You want a finished drum sound fast in one window | You want precise, modulated per-band saturation | You want quick analogue character on anything | You want distortion as a sound design tool | You want transparent attack and sustain control |
Which to pick: if you mostly process drums and like DECAP's sound, KNOCK 2 replaces a small rack of plug-ins for less than the price of one of the premium specialists. Saturn 2 and Decapitator are general saturation tools you will use on vocals, bass and synths as well as drums, and Thermal leans towards creative distortion. A dedicated transient shaper like Transient Designer Plus stays more neutral; our guide to mixing with transient shapers covers that approach. If you already own a good saturator and transient shaper, KNOCK 2 is about speed and the sub generator rather than new capability. For more options, see our best saturation plugins guide.
Who KNOCK 2 is for
Buy it if you make hip-hop, pop or other beat-driven music and want drums that hit hard without building a chain from scratch every session; if you work with breakbeats and loops that need a tuned sub under the kick; or if you own KNOCK 1, in which case the $49 upgrade adds the compressor, per-module MIX and INPUT and the new controls while keeping your settings.
Skip it if you want neutral mixing tools. The modes and MAGIC button are DECAP-flavoured and aimed at a modern hip-hop and pop drum sound, and the easy one-knob character can push everything loud if you are not careful with gain matching. Windows users who need VST2 are out of luck, and there is no Linux version. At its $149 list price it costs as much as Saturn 2, so the intro offer is the time to buy if you are on the fence.
How much does KNOCK 2 cost?
- $119 at Plugin Boutique, down from $149 (20% off) until 1 December 2026.
- $119 at the Knock Audio store, from $149.
- $49 upgrade from KNOCK 1 at knockaudio.com.
- Free 7-day full trial from knockaudio.com.
KNOCK 2 is sold as a lifetime licence. Our KNOCK 2 plugin page tracks the price after the intro offer ends.
FAQ
Is the KNOCK 2 upgrade worth it for KNOCK 1 owners?
For most users, yes. The $49 upgrade gets you the COMP module, the modular drag-to-reorder chain, per-module MIX and INPUT, multiband PUNCH, a dynamic-EQ AIR, new SATURATE, SUB and CLIP controls, Zero Latency and Linear Phase modes, and much improved gain matching. Your KNOCK 1 settings carry over.
Can I change the order of the modules in KNOCK 2?
Yes. The default order is PUNCH, COMP, SATURATE, SUB, AIR, CLIP, but each module can be switched off and the chain is modular, so you can drag modules into any order.
Does KNOCK 2 work live?
Yes. Zero Latency Mode makes it usable live. Linear Phase Mode is also available for mix work.
What are KNOCK 2's system requirements?
macOS 11 or later (AU, VST2, VST3, AAX) on Intel Core i5, i7, i9 or Xeon or Apple Silicon M1 to M5, or Windows 10 or 11 64-bit (VST3, AAX) on an Intel Core i5 Gen 5 or above or an AMD quad core. It needs 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended) and 500 MB of disk space.
KNOCK 2 vs Saturn 2: which should I buy?
Different jobs. Saturn 2 ($149) is a precise multiband saturation and distortion tool for any source. KNOCK 2 ($119 until 1 December) is a complete drum chain with transient shaping, compression, saturation, a sub generator, top-end EQ and clipping. Buy KNOCK 2 for drums, Saturn 2 for detailed saturation across a mix.
Verdict
KNOCK 2 is a substantial rebuild. With drag-to-reorder modules, per-module MIX and INPUT, a new multiband compressor and smarter SATURATE, SUB and AIR stages, it expands the original drum processor while carrying existing KNOCK 1 settings across. Zero Latency Mode and better gain matching make it more practical in real sessions. It is still DECAP's sound rather than a neutral toolkit, Windows users get no VST2, and the $149 list price is close to Saturn 2 money. At $119 until 1 December, or $49 for KNOCK 1 owners, it is an easy recommendation for beatmakers who want hard-hitting drums fast; run the 7-day trial on your own drum bus first.
